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: 1375-1586, 1639
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Better, Bettir, adv. Also: bettyr(e, etc. [ME. better (-ar, -ur), beter(e, betre, properly the adjectival form used in place of the adv. bet.]
1. In a better manner or higher degree; to a greater extent. Also with the. 1375 Barb. v. 184.
To stynt bettir his fais mycht c1420 Wynt. i. 60.
I trowe fer bettyr than I wate c1420 Ib. v. 5097.
He mycht have bettyr done 1456 Hay II. 66/15.
He that bettir techis his hors na his barnis a1500 Buke of the Sevyne Sagis 338.
The ȝoung tre na better sped c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 221.
Quhy sleip ȝe no betir c1500-c1512 Ib. 460.
Falsheid faris better 1520 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 1199.
To walk thar bonettis … als weill and bettir 1548 Corr. M. Lorraine 225.
Your masterschip is bytter consederit … na ye wer 1556 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 231.
That the subiectis may the bettir haif knawlege thairof 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 23.
That ye may the bettir understand the necessitieComb. a1570-86 Dunb. Maitland Folio MS xxxii. 27.
Ane better schaippin gown
2. And bettir, and more, and further. 1521 Fife Sheriff Ct. 229.
The hors wes wortht viij merkis & bettir 1639 Johnston Diary 58.
[They] have bethoght and better bethoght upon the present necessities of the armie
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"Better adv.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/better_adv>
