GUIDE TO THE STRUCTURE OF DOST ENTRIES
This chapter explains the structure of a DOST entry section by section and has been devised to help users find their way through the complexities of the material. It has not been possible to explain all styles of presentation in such a large work but it is hoped that the majority have been covered. Inconsistencies are inevitable in such a long term project, but, since its inception, editors have aimed to present information in a lucid way. Users should look first at the bold labels corresponding to 1-6 below to enable them to find the explanation they seek.
DOST consists of three types of entry:
Large and small entries comprise six major components:
  1. headword(s)
  2. part of speech label(s)
  3. variant spellings
  4. etymology
  5. definition(s), which may be followed by a note paragraph
  6. quotation(s)
Structurally, large and small entries differ in that the information in a large entry is divided into paragraphs while the information in a small entry is divided by dashes. Small entries are printed in a small typeface, whereas in a large entry, the headword, variant spellings, etymology and definitions are printed in a large typeface. This structure has been adhered to throughout the editing of DOST.
From A to H variant entries are found at the back of the volume. From I onwards most variant spellings are to be found in the body of the dictionary, although some are listed at the back of the volume up to L. From M onwards variant spellings are given in the main body of the dictionary only.
Further information on variant entries and supplementary material is given in sections 7 and 8 below.
LARGE AND SMALL ENTRIES

1 Headword(s)

The headword section comprises the spellings listed before the part of speech label.
  1. Headword(s)
The headwords are placed before the part of speech label. There may be one or more and they are representative of the major orthographic or phonological variants of the word, e.g., Repine, -pyne or Wylecot(e, Welycot(e, Walicot(e. The first of these spellings may be chosen because it is the commonest as in Tym(e n., or, especially in earlier volumes, because it was closest in form to the comparative material from which it was seen as deriving, e.g., Male n.1 (OE mál) but Nail n. (OE naez(yogh)el), Mele n.1 rather than meill (OE melo), Moder n.1 rather than muder (OE módor). Such ‘etymological’ spellings often coincide with the commonest spelling.
  1. Brackets and hyphens
  2. Brackets around a headword
Brackets are placed around a first headword whose form is not recorded, to allow related entries to be located sequentially, e.g., (Scuggy,) Skuggy adj. which, without this convention, would be placed in Sk- somewhat distant from Scug(g n. and v.
  1. Brackets within a headword
The use of brackets is a space-saving device, e.g., Scuncheo(u)n represents Scuncheoun and Scuncheon, Scul(l represents Scull and Scul.
  1. Hyphens within a headword
The use of hyphens is a space-saving device, e.g., Repine, -pyne represents Repine and repyne. See also 3.1 below.

2 Part of speech label

The main headwords are followed by the part of speech label. There may be more than one part of speech label, as in Scottis adj. and n., both of which are of similar prominence in the entry or, Sabothly adv. (adj.), where the adverb is the predominant form. Brackets can also be used to offer alternatives, as in Unweit (?ppl.) adj., where the sense may be ‘not wet’ or ‘not having been wetted’.
Parts of speech are ordered in the dictionary as follows: n., adj., adv., v., pres. p., p.p., vbl. n., ppl. adj., prep., conj., interj., prefix and suffix. Parts of speech are ordered within an entry as the commonest first followed by others in decreasing order of occurrence, e.g., in Scottis, adj. and n. there is a great deal more evidence for its use as an adjective than as a noun, although the noun is still well-attested, but in Sabothly adv. (adj.), the adjective is comparatively uncommon.
A homonym number is given to entries which share their spelling and part of speech designation. This is to be found as a superscript accompanying the part of speech label, as, n.1, n.2
3 Variant spellings list
Following the part of speech label is a list of all the variant spellings available to the editor other than those already listed as headwords. DOST lists and exemplifies the earliest example of every variant spelling available to the editor. However, the DOST archive, though vast, is not exhaustive and there may be omissions. The variant spellings list usually begins with ‘Also:’. The spellings are listed in groups separated by semi-colons. Division into groups is made on the basis of commonality of features, primarily, the stem vowel, also other distinctive spelling features of either vowels or consonants, e.g., Va(i)lz(yogh)eant is divided according to whether its ending is –ant (typical of an adjective) or –and or –ing (typical of a present participle). The two main sequences, separated by a semi-colon, illustrate this division. Within each the stem vowels (ai/a/e) are ordered sequentially. The single –ing example forms a third division.
Va(i)lz(yogh)eant, Va(i)lz(yogh)eand, Valiant, (ppl.) adj. and n. Also: vailz(yogh)eantt, -(y)eant, -yeaint, vaill(z(yogh))eant, -ieant, -yant, wailz(yogh)eant, wailleant, -iant, valz(yogh)ant, -(y)eant, -yeaunt, -ien(t, valliant, walz(yogh)eant, waliez(yogh)eant, velz(yogh)eant, -iant, (velvet); vailyeand, vailleand, -ande, wail(l)z(yogh)eand, wailyeande, -z(yogh)en, val(e)z(yogh)eand, valez(yogh)and, vallyeand, valyand, valiand, walz(yogh)(e)and, walieand, walliez(yogh)(e)and, -iand, velz(yogh)eand; vailyeing.
3.1 Hyphenated beginnings and endings
As in the case of headwords, hyphens may be used to save space in listing variant spellings, e.g.,
Reveng(e, n. Also: ra- and -vendge, -wen(d)ge; -vange, -vainge; -vanche.
allows for revenge, reveng, ravenge, raveng, revendge, and so on, although all possible spellings need not occur for this convention to be used.
3.2 Brackets
3.2.1 Brackets within a form
Brackets are used within a form as outlined in 1.2.2 above.
  1. Brackets around a form
3.2.2.1
Forms thought to be erroneous or dubious in some way are included in round brackets, as, e.g., (soibill), s.v. Sabill n.1 or (satfilt, saltflat), s.v. Saltfat(t n.
3.2.2.2
Those forms found only in place-names are given in round brackets, at the end of the listing, e.g., (winde, windi, wynde, wyndi, also, ? pl. windes.), s.v. Wyndy adj.
3.3 Subsets of forms
Subsets of forms consist of plural, comparative, superlative and tense forms. When they are listed separately, they are listed after their own headings, Pl., Compar., etc. In such subsets, ‘also’ is used to indicate that the forms listed occur in addition to regular and predictable forms which are not listed, e.g., Sallerie, Sellarie, n. Also: sallery, ...salair(e. Pl. also salleris, sellaris.
3.4 Cross-references
Occasionally cross-references to entries already in print may be found at the end of the variant spellings list. These are in small capitals, the usual style for cross-references. This style may be used to refer to an earlier entry, e.g., Cellarie (s.v. Sallerie n.) which is simply a variant of the entry in question.
  1. Etymology
The variant spellings are followed by the etymology which is enclosed in square or round brackets. The etymology lists cognates or comparators which are relevant to the derivation of the word in question. They are given with the dates of the earliest known examples. Significant texts and authors are named, e.g., Layamon, Cursor Mundi, Chaucer, Caxton.
  1. Etymology in square brackets
A typical listing begins [ME and e.m.E. ...] thus immediately relating the word to its closest relatives in contemporary or near-contemporary English. Up to the end of Q forms were ordered according to the date of the first recorded example in the Scots entry, i.e., if the first Scots example occurred before 1500 the order would be [ME and e.m.E, ...]. However, if the first example was from the 16th century the ordering would be [e.m.E. and ME ...], e.g.
Quiet, n. ...[ME and e.m.E. quiet(e, quyet(e (14th c.)...] indicates that the earliest example in Scots is dated before 1500 (in this case c1380) and that both quiet(e and quyet(e occur in ME during the 14th century and continue on into the e.m.E. period.
Quietnes, n. ...[e.m.E. and late ME quietnes (1450)...] indicates that the first example recorded in Scots is later than 1500 (in this case 1545) but the word is first evidenced in English in the late ME period (1400-1470) and is also evidenced in the e.m.E. period.
Nochtie, a....e.m.E. and ME noughty, ME noz(yogh)ty (14th c.)...] indicates that noughty occurs in both ME and e.m.E and is recorded first in English in the 14th century. Nochtie is not, however, recorded until the 16th century in Scots (1520). Noz(yogh)ty occurs only in ME.
From R onwards, this finely tuned system was abandoned in favour of a simple listing of relevant cognates and comparators in the typical order: ME, e.m.E., OE, ON, MDu., MLG, or F., L., etc. This order is adhered to unless there is clear evidence that another order is to be preferred, e.g., that the word has come into Scots directly from another language, e.g.,
Sect(e, n. ...[ME and e.m.E. secte (Chaucer), sect (Lydgate), sekt (1530), F. secte, OF also siecte, (c1155 in Larousse), L. secta a following, party or faction, a philosophical school, a class or profession, f. sequi to follow.]
The earliest recorded instance of Sect(e in Scots is dated a1500 and the typical order is adhered to. However, compare:
Sindic, n. ...[F. syndic, syndique (14th c. in OED), late L. syndic- advocate or delegate representing a town; cf. e.m.E. sindique (1601).]
The earliest recorded instance of Sindic in Scots is 1531, pre-dating the English evidence by seventy years. The French evidence is cited first since that is believed to be the closest comparator. Compare also:
Scug(g, n. ...[ON skugge a shadow.]
There is no other evidence for this word and so only the ON comparator is cited.
From the later parts of S onwards, the usual style is the typical order outlined above: ME, e.m.E., OE, ON, MDu., MLG, or F., L., etc., no matter what the relative datings of Scots and English examples are.
4.1.1 Additional Information
Further information is given as and when it is thought to be useful.
4.1.1.1 Meanings of comparators
In general, the meaning of a comparator is cited when it differs significantly from the senses of the entry, e.g.,
Schound, n. ...[ON sjaund the seventh day, specif., a gathering, partly festal in nature, held on the seventh day after a death, at which the debts of the deceased were paid and his affairs settled, med. L. septimus (dies). Cf. Norw. dial. sjaund, sjund funeral feast.] In Orkney and Shetland: The formal legal division of the property of a dead person.
4.1.1.2 Dialects
In cases of particular interest or difficulty, more detailed information about, e.g., the later or modern dialect, or French dialects may be given, e.g.,
Tartan(e, n. ...[OF tiretaine (1247) a sort of cloth half wool, half some other yarn (Godefroy Comp.), stuff of which the weft is wool and the warp linen or cotton (Wartburg), tridaine (?14th c., toile de fil et de coton bleu et rouge), tyretenne , tirtaine (1449-1501), tertaine (1487) (all Wartburg), OF tiret a precious cloth, perhaps with influence from futaine fustian (Larousse), OF tire a cloth of silk orig. f. Tyre (Wartburg). Cf. also ME tartaryn (1343), tartryn (1359), tartyn (1454, E. E. Wills 133/2 ‘the testour & canape ther-to palid tartyn white and rede’: MED suggests ? read tartaryn ), tartorne (1462), tartarne (?1476), OF drap tartarin (1295), MF tartarin (1342-1423), tartaine (c1400, Lille) (Wartburg), orig. a precious or rich cloth f. Pers. Tātār. Cf. Tartar n.]
The status of a word in the later or modern dialect is given only where it is thought to be of particular value, e.g.,
Sist(e, v. ...[L. sistere to cause to stand, redupl. form of stāre to stand. Also in the modern dialect, chiefly in legal use.]
The absence of mention does not mean that the word is not evidenced in later Scots.
4.1.1.3 Internal Cross-references
A cross-reference to a source or comparator in Scots itself is frequently added at the end of the listing, e.g.,
Saltfat(t, n. ...[OE sealtfaet, ON saltfat; Salt n.1 and Fat n.1]
This list makes no judgment as to whether the entry derives from OE, ON or is a new combination of salt and fat. In the following example, the Scots word is recorded first in 1428, sixty-five years earlier than in English.
Salt-pan, n. [North. e.m.E. salt-panne (1493); Pan n.1 6.]
In earlier volumes, internal cross-references are made to related entries which would have been edited as a single entry according to the editorial policy in later volumes, e.g.,
Calsay, n. ...[ME. (rare) caulcé, calcey, calsey, etymological respelling of caucé, causé Causay. See also Casay.]
Casay, n. ...[Var. of Calsay. Cf. Cassay n.]
Cassay, n. ...[Var. of Casay and Calsay.]
Causa(y, n. ...[Variant of Causé, with change of -é to -a and -ay as in allya, etc. Cf. Calsay and Casay.]
Causé, n. ...[ME. causé, cawsé, caucé, ONF. caucié(e. The ending in Sc. normally changes to -a(y, and the original -é forms are rare.] = Causay, Calsay. (Cf. also Causey.)
Causey, Cawsey, later spellings of Causay n.
Parson(e, n. [ ME. and e.m.E. parsoun (c1325), -on, AF. parsone, MF. parsoune (1466 in Godef.) a parson. Cf. also Person(e n.]
Person(e, n. [ME. and e.m.E. persone (Ancr. R.), -un (Cursor M.), -oone (Wyclif), -on, OF. and AF. persone (mod. F. personne), L. persōna. Cf. Parson(e n.]
Similarly, in later volumes, cross-references are made to earlier entries from entries which, according to the editorial policy of the later volumes, would have been amalgamated with the earlier entries:
Seremo(u)n, n. [Var. of Ceremony n., q.v. for further examples.]
According to later editorial policy Seremo(u)n would have been included in Ceremony n. Cross-reference is also made to an entry which for some reason the editor wishes to keep separate:
(Ruk,) Ruck. ? Erron. for or ? var. of Rak n.1 2.
Dictionary policy at all periods has usually been to keep such entries separate where the connection to the cross-referred entry is, for some reason, not entirely clear. In this case it is phonological but the possibility exists that it might be semantic.
From T onwards, many transparent cross-references are omitted, e.g., where noun and verb are clearly related:
Tran(e, n. ...[ME and e.m.E. trayne (Manning), treyne (c1400), trane (c1460), OF traïne, f. traïr to betray.]
Trane, v. ...[ME and e.m.E. trayne(n (?a1400), treyne (1412-20), train (1526), OF traïner, trahiner.]
There is no cross-reference to Tran(e n. in the etymology of Trane v., just its comparators in English and French. This is no more than a device to save time and space and has no implications for the route whereby Trane v. arrived in the language.
In some instances the entire etymology consists of a cross-reference to another entry or entries, e.g.,
Sequell, adj. [Sequel n.]
Here the adjective is an attributive use of the noun and all relevant comparative information will be found in the etymological section of the noun. In the following examples the two elements of the compound noun are cross-referred to:
Lance-staf(f, n. ...[Lance n.1; Staf(f n.]
Psalm(e)-buke, n. ...[Psalm and Buke n.]
4.1.1.4 Treatment of Old French
When P-S was edited, OF forms were systematically checked in one of the relevant French dictionaries[1] and a reference made to the source of forms quoted. Forms cited by OED but not found in any French dictionary are cited in DOST as (OED). From T onwards, this level of checking could not be sustained and, except for particular cases, the former practice of citing French forms as found in OED was resumed.
4.1.1.5 Miscellaneous information
Other self-explanatory descriptions may be given as (part of) the etymological section, e.g., Only Sc., Obscure, Onomatopoeic, Of doubtful origin, etc.:
Scol(l, n. ...[Only Sc. till the 19th c. Norw., Dan. skall, ON skál, whence also Scale n.1
Perhaps, OED conjectures, 'introduced through the visit of James VI to Denmark in 1589'.]
Sindledort, n. [Of obscure origin, perhaps from ME sindal var. of sendal (Sandal(e n.), combined with the name of a town (? Dortmund).]
Wa(u)cht, v. ...[? Onomatopœic. Cf. e.m.E. quaft (1523), quaught (1530), quaff (1555-8).] a. intr. To drink alcohol in copious quantities. b. tr. To drink (wine), empty (a cup) out. c. transf. To lose or damage (the mind) by drinking.
Scuffe, v. ...[? Imitative in origin; cf. Scrufe v.]
Scudle, v. [Back-formation f. prec.]
S(c)hottill, n. ...[Of doubtful origin ? f. S(c)hut v., or ? a dimin. ultim. f. S(c)hot n. l (cf. LG schot a drawer); or perhaps a conflation of these.]
Unliwit, p.p. [? Put for or erron. for *unlibbit...]
The convention ‘Sc. var. of’ was also used up to and including volume VI:
(Min-,) Mynz(yogh)ell, n...[Sc. var. of Monz(yogh)eal(l n. .. cf. Mungall and Menz(yogh)ell.]
Mungell, -all, n. [e.m.E. muniall etc.: cf. Minz(yogh)ell and Monz(yogh)eall.]
Menz(yogh)ell, n. ...[OF meigneaul (F. meneau): cf. Minz(yogh)ell and Mungall.]
Monz(yogh)eal(l, n. ...[ME moynell (1330), moniel (1379), munell (1426-7), e.m.E. monyal (c1540), -yelle, munial (1569), OF moinel, monial. Cf. Minz(yogh)ell, Menz(yogh)ell and Mungall.]
From volume VII onwards, the practice of using [Sc. var. of .. ] was discontinued and the above entries would have been edited as a single entry according to the editorial policy adopted thereafter.
4.1.1.6 Use of the question mark (?)
The question mark (?) is used as in the examples above to give conjectural information. For the use of the question mark in the etymology, see 4.2.
4.1.1.7 Notes
Notes supply extra information of any sort. They occur per se only in large entries and are given in smaller type and in a separate paragraph. In some instances notes may be given in the etymological section. In these cases they begin a new paragraph within the etymology. See Scol(l example in 4.1.1.5 above. Notes may also occur between the etymology and the section dealing with sense analysis. A note containing information that applies to the whole entry will occur here, e.g.,
Outgate, n. ...
Uncommon before the late 16th c. Very common thereafter, esp. in sense 2.
4.2 Etymology in round brackets
Occasionally, etymological forms and their definition are enclosed in round brackets. In these cases, the quotations are left undefined, the definition within the round brackets applying equally to them. All the characteristics outlined above also apply to etymologies in round brackets, e.g.,
Scoured, ppl. adj. (Late ME scoured polished by rubbing, cleansed by rubbing with a detergent (c1450).)
Siddishous, n. pl. (Of obscure origin and meaning, ? perhaps a var. of sideshow, which however is not recorded by OED before 1855. Cf. S(c)haw n. 2)
The entire etymological section can consist of (?) in instances where there is no comparative or semantic information known, e.g.,
Silltage, n. (?)
The above remarks cover the commoner styles in use in the etymology. Other styles will be found but are largely self-explanatory.
  1. Definitions
The etymology section and any notes are followed by the division into sections and senses to show the semantic development of the word. In some complex entries, in earlier volumes, an illustration of forms is also given before the senses, see e.g., Be v., Kepe v.
5.1 Division into sections
The definition section may sometimes begin with a section marker: A., B., etc. or I., II., etc.
5.1.1 Bold uppercase letters divide the entry into different parts of speech in instances where division into separate entries is not the ideal way to present the information, e.g.,
Sid(e)lingis, adv. and prep. ...A. adv. ... B. prep.
5.1.2 Bold uppercase roman numerals divide the entry on a semantic or syntactic basis. There is frequently, but not invariably, a note following the section marker describing the basis of the division, e.g.,
Spout, n. ...I. 1. A pipe or conduit for carrying away a. Rain-water. b. Other (semi-) liquid domestic waste from a building...2. A pipe or conduit whereby water is led from a source...II. 3. A well. Also in place-names.
In this case the definitions make the distinction between I. and II. clear. However, compare:
Seg(e, n.2...I. A seat, in various senses...1. Something used for sitting on,...2. The seat of someone in authority, a throne...II. 8. A siege.
Here, the common factor between the senses is specified at I. but this is not necessary for II.
  1. Division into senses
Main senses in large entries are chiefly numbered as 1., 2., 3., etc. Senses may be further divided as a., b., c., etc. if all divisions are of equal status. b., c., etc. may be used without a. if they are considered to be subsidiary aspects of the main sense, e.g.,
Seg(e, n.2 1. Something used for sitting on...b. A bird’s perch...4. A bishopric or abbacy. a. The office, position or authority of a bishop...b. The territory under the jurisdiction of a bishop...
or:
Pest, n. ...1. Any virulent or epidemic disease; pestilence. b. spec. The bubonic plague. c. A particular instance or outbreak of either of these.
When the senses cannot be clearly distinguished in the evidence, they are listed consecutively and followed by one paragraph of quotations, e.g.,
Particularité, n. ...1. a. Self-interest; regard to personal or private interests, private advantage. b. An instance of these. c. A private grievance or feud.
The quotations are divided into two paragraphs marked sing. and pl.
Main senses in large but uncomplicated entries may be numbered only as a., b., c., etc., e.g.,
Particular, a. (adv.) and n. ...A. adj. Particular, in various applications.
a. Specific to an individual thing or person. b. Pertaining to an individual person or group of persons and not others; private and personal , not public. c...
Senses in small entries are only ever numbered as a., b., c., etc.
5.3 Labels
The sense number may be followed by a label, in italic, giving information, frequently of a syntactic nature, about the use of the word, e.g.,
Passit, p.p.1 and ppl. adj. ...1. pred.
Past, gone by; at an end...
2. attrib.
Only in post-positional use.
a. Of time...b. After a demonstrative...
Pese, n.2...1. coll. or plur. without inflection.
Repose, v.2...1. intr. ...b. reflex. ...c. tr.
In instances where all senses of a verb are tr. or intr., this label immediately follows the etymology and no labels appear in the actual senses, e.g., Represent v., Stak(k)er v. Where labels are required within the senses tr. and intr. apply to all following senses until a new label is inserted, e.g.,
  1. tr. ...2. ...3. intr. ...4. ...5. tr.
Senses 1, 2 and 5 are transitive and 3 and 4 are intransitive. Absol. and reflex. do not transcend the senses. In rare cases the labels tr. and intr. may be used together if transitive and intransitive senses are not split up.
A label may function as the sole definition of a division. If there is no other narrowing of the sense, the general meaning given in the main definition applies with the additional constraint of the label, e.g., in sense c.:
Vail(l, n. ...1. The headdress of a nun. b. To tak the val, to become a nun. c. transf.
5.4 Definitions
A definition is used to describe each sense in an entry. Senses are usually ordered chronologically. Typically this coincides with the development of meaning, that is, the chronologically earliest recorded instances belong to the basic sense or senses. Sometimes this is not the case, and the senses will then be ordered logically to show the development of the word. Definitions are given in as full a form as necessary for clarity, frequently including extra syntactic or semantic information. They may consist of more than one sentence or short definitions separated by commas or semi-colons. Rarely, in earlier volumes, small print was used for parts of the definition, e.g.,
Pint, n. ...A pint in the usual senses and collocations.
a. The measure of capacity for, chiefly, liquids; this amount (of) the liquid, or other substance specified.
Varying in amount according to time and locality.
Also, once, pl. without inflection.
Also, in fig. context.
Nedil(l, n. ...1. A needle, the implement for sewing.
Also with defining terms, as miln-rynd neidill, pak or pakking nedill, rasour nedill, sail nedill, q.v. under the first elements. Moull and neidle, see Moul(l n. b...
b. In allusive, fig. and proverbial use...
c. Nedlis ee, niddill ei, etc., the eye of a needle as a type of something difficult to pass through.
5.4.1 Syntactic information in definitions
Syntactic information may also serve as a definition, e.g.,
My-self, pron. ...1. In emphatic use, in apposition to the pronouns I, me or to one’s name...2. Used alone with pronoun omitted...3. In reflexive uses.
5.4.2 Classificatory information in definitions
A definition can be preceded by a classification of some sort which is followed by a colon and the definition proper, e.g.,
Mussellit, ppl. a. ... 1. In heraldry: Having or wearing, a muzzle (of a certain colour).
Myte, n.1...1. A Flemish copper coin of very small value...2. Put for: A very small unit of money value.
Reservatio(u)n, n. ...2. In conveying property: The action or fact of retaining for oneself a right or interest in the property conveyed...
Sely, adj. ...1. a. Of a vision, etc.: Holy...b. Of a time or destiny: Fortunate...
2. Of a person (esp. of a religious): Blessed...
3. Innocent...b. Said of the soul. d. Passing into: Humble...
Such classifications can supply the whole of the defining material as in Sely adj. 3 b above.
5.4.3 Forms of usage in definitions
Forms of usage quoted (in italics) from the quotation material are frequently given as subsidiary meanings, see, e.g.,
Pais, n.2...1. ...c. Of pais, in conformity with, or that conforms to, the prescribed or standard weight.
5.4.4 Initial general ‘umbrella’ definitions
A initial general definition may be given after the etymology and before the more specific numbered definitions, e.g., Pint n., (see 5.4 above) : ‘Pint in the usual senses and collocations.’ This applies to the word as a whole. This form of definition was favoured especially in volumes V and VI, e.g.,
Pinnakil(l, n.1...A pinnacle, in the usual senses. 1. A small ornamental turret, usu. terminating in a pyramid or cone.
Pint, n....A pint in the usual senses and collocations.
Plesour, n. ...Pleasure, or a pleasure, in various senses and applications.
Procurato(u)r, n.1...A procurator...1. The officer in charge of the finance and taxation of a province of the Roman Empire...2. One duly authorized to act for, or transact business on behalf of, another;...
Purg(e, v. ...To purge in various senses. 1. To make physically clean...
This style was discontinued in later volumes.
5.5. Use of the question mark (?)
Rehers(e, n. ...1. ...c. ?
Return, v. ...10. ...b. ? To pay back (a person) harm for (fra) harm.
5.6 Use of the equals sign (=)
Obeisant, a. ...= Obeisand.
Sit, v. ...In particular, p.t. and p.p. forms in set, etc. = sat, seated, without causal implication, are included in Sit v.
5.7 Use of brackets in definition
Round brackets can be used in a definition to indicate:
Myte, n.1...3. a. (Not) worth ane mite (thre mytis), (not) worth even a very small amount, (not) worth a jot, (not) worth anything at all.
i.e., some quotes evidence the construction with ‘not’ others do not.
Na mar(e, n., a. and adv. ... 3. adv. ...e. In no greater degree; to no greater extent; at no higher rate.
(Followed by than etc.)
(1) Scho..wandyt na mare for to sla Hym that scho gert ly hyr by Than hym that wes hyr inymy; Wynt. II 62...The Kyng of Ingland vil be na mair gracius.. to thé..nor he hes bene; Compl. 162/28.
(2) The leame pote that contenis the medicine dois na thing to the healing of the patient na mair dois [etc.]; Davidson Answer 214.
In this entry, paragraph (1) evidences quotes with than, nor. Paragraph (2) evidences quotes without the construction.
Put, v. ...2. tr. ... To make (an army, etc.) move or retreat in the direction stated, by force; to drive, force. ...3. To cause (a person or thing) to move by exerting some physical force, in a direction or into a position expressed by an adverbial;...
Quench(e, v. ...1. tr. To put out, extinguish, douse (fire, flame or something burning);..2. To extinguish, cool, (heat). ...
Wait, v. ...8. To put care and effort into the functioning of (an enterprise, etc.); to attend (an occasion, etc.) for this purpose; to see to or run (a business, institution, mechanism, etc.).
Qualité, n. ...4. ...c. Applied to the four elementary properties (hot, cold, moist and dry) of medieval physiology.
Quarter-land, n. ...A denomination of land equivalent to the quarter of a principal unit of land-measurement, such as the davach or the ploughgate; in the West Highlands, presumably rendering the Gaelic ceathramh or quarter (sc. appar. of the ‘tirung’ or ‘ounceland’.
Quharewith, interrog. and rel. adv. ...3. In various other uses with specific noun antecedent.
As: with which (to clothe, endow, charge, furnish; to infect; to join; to acquaint, engage; etc.)
i.e., any verb of the type listed might be given.
Quha-sa-ever, pron. and adj. ... 4. adj.: Whichever (person).
i.e., the quotation evidences gentilman but it could equally include any word for a person.
Nakitly, adv. ...1. a. Openly, plainly, without concealment or reserve. (Nakit a. 9 b). b. By way of mere unconfirmed or unsupported affirmation. (Nakit a. 9 d, e).
Quha-sa, pron. ...Whatever person or persons, anyone who, whoever; which ever one or ones; if any person or persons; no matter who. (Cf. Quha, Quha-ever, etc.)
Setting, vbl. n. ...I. In the senses of I-X.
1. a. Causing a judicial body to sit (Set v. 2). b. Arranging a meeting (Set v. 3). c. Appointing (something to be done) (Set v. 4 f). d. Leasing (property, etc.) (Set v. 7). e. Something that suits, is suitable, or is well-fitting (Set v. ? 8 b or c).
War(r)andy, n. ...a. Protection. b. Charter, clause of warrandy, (part of) a document expressing the details of a legal obligation or guarantee.
i.e., the construction in b. may signify a document or a part of a document.
5.8 Notes
Information may be added as a note following the definition of the sense to which it refers, e.g.,
Office, n. ...2. A publicly recognised position of service...
For further examples see, e.g., Deprivatioun n., Deprive v. i, Forfalt p.p. b, Malversatioune n., Malverse v., Ministratio(u)n n. 8 a.
Also common in the formula the office of (admiralitie, agentrie, bailliery, bellmanschip, capitanry, chancellarie, etc., or commissar, javellour, justice clerk, lawman, lieutenant general, lioun, etc.,) or (mair of fey) office: see the designations of particular offices or officers.
Peth n. ...1. As a place-name element in sense 2.
For further examples and some discussion, see Scottish Studies VII 83-5. See also Pathhead and Redpath in Black Surnames.
2. a. A cleft...
Also attrib. With -heid and -fute and possess. with heid.
Chiefly or only in central and southern Scotland.
This layout was designed to save space. In later volumes such information, if not extensive, is incorporated into the definition as the space saved by the smaller type was frequently lost again by the need for a new paragraph.
In earlier volumes, especially, the editor occasionally draws the reader’s attention to the fact that a word is only evidenced in one author or work, e.g., Only in Doug., or one sort of text, e.g. Only in verse.
  1. Quotations
Examples of the use of a word are given following the definitions either in the form of a quotation and reference or a reference only. The first example available to the editor is always given in one of these two formats. Users must bear in mind that the dictionary corpus is not exhaustive and that it is inevitable that antedatings will be found.
Readers should bear in mind that the original manuscript sources displayed many individual features and many printed editions are not completely diplomatic. Expansion of abbreviations, in particular, is often a preference of the editor. DOST tends to expand manuscript abbreviations according to Scots forms, e.g., ∫ is expanded to sch not sh. For the sake of clarity, abbreviations in editions tend to be expanded, e.g., Wm is usually printed as William. Proper names and the first word in a line of verse always begin with a capital letter. Elsewhere the capitalisation and punctuation of editions has been amended where necessary for sake of consistency and clarity.
6.1 Quoted material
Quotations have been selected to illustrate the use of a word with regard to its semantic, syntactic and geographical context. In a well-attested word, twelve quotations will usually be given and, in some cases, as many as sixteen in any one paragraph. Quotations may be given in a single paragraph or further divided on a semantic, syntactic or orthographic basis. Divisions for syntactic or semantic reasons, such as the sort of object a verb governs or what prepositions a noun takes, are made in paragraphs numbered (1), (2), etc. This feature does not appear in the dictionary until D and remains relatively rare until L. It is much more common between O and S and less common from T-Z. The reasons for these divisions are generally signalled in the definitions, e.g.,
Restor(e, v. ...1. tr. To give back (a thing, also a non-material thing or person...)...Also absol.
Also, once, to restoir bak.
In this entry quotations are divided into six paragraphs. Paragraphs (1)-(3) are to give back a thing, a person and a non-material thing respectively, (5) is to restoir bak, (6) is absol., (4) is not explained in the definition.
Quotations may, occasionally, be further subdivided by a dash, e.g.,
Miln, n. ...1. A corn-mill...c. Attrib. ...(1) The landis callit myne akyr [infra myle akyr]; 1547 Hunter Fam. P. 25. With the mill aiker; 1677 Galloway P. 12 Oct.—Quo mulneburne cadit in Ar; 1165-1214 Liber Melros I 55. The milburne; 1512 Selkirk B. Ct. MS. 17 b.
i.e., examples are divided according to what miln modifies.
Spelling divisions are made using the markers (a), (b), (c), etc. Syntactic divisions are made using appropriate labels: pres., p.t., p.p., (represented by (a), (b) and (c) respectively in earlier volumes), sing. pl., compar. and superl., e.g.,
Mak, v.1...23. To cause to be, to render. a. With adj. compl. Also absol. ...
(1) (a) Thai sall baptis z(yogh)ow and mak Habile Cristis kinrik to tak; Leg. S. ii 231. Ovre lord the Kyng..sall mak fre..the sexteyn ponde of anwell; 1397 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 34...
(b) It is the pwnt quhil makkis the long perfyt in muid; Art of Music 20 b. Work for nothing maks men deid sweir; Carmichael Prov. No. 1661...
(c) Justice makis riche..Bath king and knaif; Liber Plusc. 396. Thou makist febill wight; Doug. iv Prol. 43...
(b) The king buskit and maid him z(yogh)ar; Barb. viii 409. Syke z(yogh)unge men..Of al hyre gud mad hyr so bare That [etc.]; Ib xlvii 181...
(c) Bath def & blynd is he mad; Leg. S. xxi 689. All oure kynde.. Lyk made to God and schapyne wes In..hyslyklynes; Wynt. I 74...
(b) The quhilkis has maid trouble that was clere undistroublit; Hay I 29/9. We..hes maid him lauchfull..to excers all lauchfull dedis; 1510 Reg. Privy C. I 306/2...
(c) I mycht..meed z(yogh)our courage les; J. Stewart II 60/132.
(d) This was the first stap mead easie for the McKenz(yogh)ies; c 1630 Highland P. II 269.
(e) The hardest hairt..With sueit meiknes it may be making soft; Maitl. Q. lxvi 72.
(2) absol. Hop[e]..Can weill mak blyth; Ratis R. (STS) 568. Sum maikand glaid, and vther sum rycht sorie; Lynd. Test. Pap. 369...
b. To mak (it) moy.., to behave demurely..
c. With the compl...
Here the quotations within (1), which displays the commonest syntactic usage, are sub-divided into tenses and within the tense divisions into spelling forms.
In the example above the label absol. is numbered. Where ambiguity can be avoided such labels are not numbered, e.g.,
Offer, v. ...1. tr. To present (a donation of any kind, prayers, etc.) as a religious offering or sacrifice (to God, a saint, a pagan deity, etc.). Also to offer up.
Also absol.
absol. And thair thai heir a certane messis syn offeris efter the wangell of the hee mes; Loutfut MS. 123 a.
In the example above the paragraph ‘Also absol.’ is signalled in the text by absol. without a number.
Occasionally the paragraph markers (1), (2), etc. are explained explicitly, e.g.,
Outputtin(g, vbl. n. 1. ...c. ‘Putting out’ of goods, cattle or money, by way of, or for the purpose of, theft.
(1) Orig. and chiefly, the conveying of stolen goods out of the district...(2) Outputting of another person... In (3) the word has perh. been understood in some other, perh. erron., sense.
In some cases paragraph numbers are used in place of labels, e.g.,
Outred, n.1...3. Completion (of a job of work). Also transf.
(1) includes all the quotations except the transf. example, which is given under (2) without a label.
Divisions may be made on a semantic basis, e.g.,
Dre, v. ...1. tr. To endure, suffer (pain, penance, fortune, etc.).
Here the divisions (1), (2) and (3) are semantic, according to what is experienced, i.e. pain, penalty or fortune, etc. In later volumes this sort of distinction is signalled by a., b., c., etc.
6.1.2 Brackets around quotations
Round brackets are placed around the quoted Scots material in the very early stages of the dictionary. Such quotations are preceded by the reference. This method is used in those entries which have been judged as not of historical importance or not differing materially from their modern English equivalents, e.g., Abak adv., Bewtifull adj. Quotations in such entries are given in the briefest possible form.
Square brackets are given around quotations and their references, at the beginning of an entry or body of information. This method is used when quoting material from a non-Scots source or language, e.g., English or Latin, which will add to the user’s understanding of the Scots material, e.g., Mele n.1 b (2), Relocatio(u)n n., Spar n.1 1. In some cases, e.g., Wait n.1 3 c., the quotation in square brackets is in Scots but does not contain the headword. It is included for the light it throws on the sense in question.
6.1.3 Brackets within quotations
Brackets are used within quotations to show editorial insertions within the quoted material and also for explanatory or additional information directly related to the quoted material.
6.1.3.1 Editorial insertions
In the very early volumes round brackets are used, e.g.,
Abade, n. ...1. ...Quhen the gud fo(l)k had Apone the se mad lang a-bad; Leg. S. xvi 212.
but later square brackets are used, e.g.,
Gif, v. ...1. ...[To] gif fra thame all armour and sic geir; Stewart 38285.
6.1.3.2 Explanatory and additional information
[etc.][2]
Etc. can be given in square brackets to indicate that a list has not been quoted in its entirety or that the text has further information which is part of the context but not necessary to exemplification of the word, e.g.,
Relaps(e, v. ...William Thomsone [etc.]...Relapsed upon the 18 Febry.,..and deserted on the tuentie day; 1684 Dumfr. & Galloway Soc. 3 Ser. XXXVI 160.
Ta, adj. ...2. a. Anent the tumult maid on the fourth of this instant betuix Johne Denie, wabstar on the tae pairt, and Robert Blakburne, wabstar, on the uthir point, and Johne Gib, tailyeir, on the third pairt, it is fand that [etc.]; 1628 Dumbarton B. Rec. 29.
[sc.]
[sc.] is used to indicate explanatory information, e.g.,
Motio(u)n, n. ...5. ...d. ... Thai [sc. the English] ar, and alse hes beene, the special motione of the iniust veyris that hes trublit Cristianite; Compl. 27/26.
In earlier volumes, sc. is often omitted, e.g.,
Missive, n. ...1. Deliuer thame [the nine Muses] this pretty small missiue; Rolland Ct. Venus ii 80.
[rh.], [:]
Both these conventions are used to indicate rhyme, e.g.,
Multiplie, n. ...The sotheroun fled fra him on athir sid To Burdeous in gret multiplye [: se]; Wall. ix 1707.
The form ‘rh.’ is used for clarity when there is other information, such as a variant form, and a colon (:) might be hard to interpret.
(Wikkir,) n. ...As with the wynd wavis the wickir [M. wicker; rh. sickir] Wavis this warldis vanite; Dunb. (OUP) 178/14.
[v.r.], [MS], [text identifier]
These conventions are used to indicate a variant reading, the manuscript reading or a reading from a specified text:
Raisar, n. ...The excipient, or raisar [v.r. raisare] of the said suspensioun sall be haldin and astrictit to proif payment thairof; 1597 Acts Sederunt ii 28.
(Rosen,) n. ...With pitch, with sulphre, And rozen [MS rosett] in great store; James VI Poems I 138/456.
Rak, v.1...1. ...b. ...And with a rug thai rapis all He rakkit [R. crakyde] in to pecis small; Wynt. iii 374 (W).
[sic], [sic in pr.]
These conventions are used when the material quoted is dubious in some way, e.g.,
Meldrop, n. ...Snotty nos’d gentlemen with their drouping mustaches..becomes a harbroy [sic] to meldrops; Grahame Anat. Hum. 30 b.
Relefe, n.2...7. ...Wednesday: subscriued a paper for Johns [sic in pr.] Maxwell’s relife for two month in the tollboth of Edinb.; 1657 Misc. Hist. Soc. VII 22.
[ed.], [pr.]
These conventions are used, interchangeably, where a manuscript reading is quoted but the editor wishes to point out what is in the printed edition or, more commonly, to record the form printed in the edition where the dictionary text corrects what is interpreted as a typographical error or misreading in the edition, e.g.,
Ratificatio(u)n, n. ...1. ...And therfoir in signe and taikin of thair ferdar ratificatioun..the dekynis..has subscriwit [pr. subscrimit] the samyn; 1601 Murray Lyon Hist. Lodge Edinb. 40.
Rest, v.1...5. ...b. ...The said Alexander renuncis all ferthir probatioun, restand him to [ed. to him] the said George Padeis aith; 1558 Admir. Ct. Bk. (St. S.) 98.
Wil(l, v.1...11. ...Wol z(yogh)e [ed. 43, wol ye] se this litill fals car as he follois me; 1517 Selkirk B. Ct. MS 57b.
Woup, n. ...4. ...Ane tyne pynt, tua vopis [ed. ropis] of irne, ane irne ladill; 1563-4 Prot. Bk. Thomas Johnsoun 138.
[L.], [F.], etc.
This convention is used where material from other languages is included, e.g.,
Quhin, n.2...1. ...b. ...A rowtand burn..rynnys..on the craggy quhynnys [L. saxis]; Doug. vii ix 56.
(Sicamour,) n. ...Wnder the flurist siccamour [F. desous i pin ramu] Was spred..Carpettis; Alex. ii 3686.
[blank], [gap in text], [gap]
These conventions have been used variously to indicate something missing in the text (due to damage to the MS or the like), e.g.,
Wair, n. ...b. ...Oliver Lord Protector [gap in text] great Admiralls of Scotland and the Provest &c [gap] of Taine..infeft and seasit in [gap] territorie shoirs [gap] skalpes within the sea mark wrak and weare; 1660 Old Ross-shire I 229.
Walk, v. ...7. ...To haue [blank] personis to waitht..nychtlie and that to be gottin amangis the haill toun, euerie ilk man his nycht about; 1525 Aberd. B. Rec. I 112.
6.2 References
The reference immediately follows the quotation (except in the very early stages of the dictionary as explained in 6.1.2 above). For information on reference style see the Reference Style Guide. For full bibliographical information see the Revised Register of Titles.
At the end of a reference, etc. may be used to indicate that there are many other examples to be found in the text.
Sign(e, n. ...I. 1. ...d. ...Witchcraft can nocht be accomplischet as witchcraft bot be characteris, signes, croces [etc.]; 1622 Crim. Trials III 514, 556, etc.
Ib., Id.
In earlier volumes, Ib. and Id. are used in a reference to indicate that the material in the quotation is from the same work (Ib.) or written or edited by the same person (Id.) as the previous quotation. This practice was discontinued from Scro onwards due to the constraints imposed by the new proof-reading procedures.
In earlier volumes, citations consisting of a form and reference or reference only were given after the quotations for that work, however, in later volumes material is given on a strictly chronological basis.
VARIANT ENTRIES
Variant entries are a key element in helping the user access the material. This is especially true in the latter part of the dictionary where more material is included in single entries. As explained above, from A to H there are very few variant entries in the main body of the dictionary, variant spellings to guide the user to the entry or entries under which the spelling may be found are listed at the back of the volume. From I onwards most variant spellings are to be found within the body of the dictionary, although some are listed at the back of the volume up to L. From M onwards variant spellings are given in the form of variant entries in the main body of the dictionary only. Variant entries in the Additions and Corrections in volumes I-III are printed in the Additions and Corrections not in the lists at the back of the volume.
Variant entries are simple in structure. They begin with the spelling in bold followed by the headword under which the variant is listed in small capitals and its part of speech. There are several types of variant entry, e.g.,
straightforward spelling variant(s) of one or more headword(s):
Sal-mes, var. of Saul(l)-mes n.
Sallar, var. of Sail(l)ar n. and Sellar n.1 and n.2.
Sallad(e, -at, varr. of Sellet(t n.
variants describing syntactic features:
Sallit, p.t. of Sail(l v. and var. of Solit ppl. adj.
Sader, compar. of Sad adj. and adv.
variants which would appear not to be authentic:
Salmnod-fishing, see Salmond-fisch(e) ing vbl.n.
In this case salmnod is the form in the printed edition but would clearly seem to be erroneous for salmond. As the reader’s starting point is likely to be the printed text, it is the function of the variant entry to guide him or her to the correct headword where such errors are explained. Long sequences of variant entries are divided into paragraphs.
As in large and small entries, hyphens and brackets can be used as space saving devices in variant entries, e.g.,
Resyn(e, -syng, -syngn(e, varr. of Resing v.
ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS
Supplementary material is published at the end of volumes A-C, D-G and H-L under the title ‘Additions and Corrections’. From M-N onwards this material has been held over for a Supplement to the whole work. Plans for the production of such a supplement have not yet been finalised but it is envisaged that this will appear in electronic format.
Entries in the Supplement follow the same rules of structure as the main dictionary. New entries are signalled by an asterisk, e.g.,
*Abaket
Additions to existing entries usually give citations which are earlier or later than those already recorded. Corrections to the main dictionary are given in the Supplement, e.g.,
Hafles, a. (Refer to Hawles, not: Haveles.)
M. G. Dareau
K. L. Pike

[1] See Dictionaries and Other Reference Works Used by DOST.
[2] For this and other abbreviations see Abbreviations.