A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1450-1513
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Behest, Beheist, n. [e.m.E. behest, ME. behest(e, beheest(e, OE. behǽs.] Promise, vow. c1450-2 Howlat 70.
He … held all hale the behest he hecht to the king c1450-2 Ib. 855.
It was haile his behest a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 50.
Of hir behest he had greit comforting 1513 Doug. iii. ii. 101.
A bull to brycht Appollo for his beheist 1513 Ib. iv. v. 120.
Mercur, but arest, Dressyt to obey hys gret faderis behest
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"Behest n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 16 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/behest>
