Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

Cheve, v. Also: chewe, cheif. [ME. cheve (c 1300), cheeve, chieve, OF. chever. In Sc. rare and only in verse.]

1. intr. To befall; to succeed. a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 1193.
Ye sal be our gouernour, … For chance that may cheif a1570-86 Maitl. F. xxxv. 46.
Than was he glaid of this, And thoucht him self weill chewin

2. tr. To get, obtain; to beget. c1450-2 Howlat 538.
In batallis full braid … Throw full chevalrus chance he this hert chevit c1475 Wall. vi. 68.
A child was chewyt thir twa luffaris betuene