A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Detract, Detrack, v. [ME. detract (c 1449), L. dētract-, ppl. stem of dētrahere, or dētractāre.]
1. tr. To disparage, depreciate, calumniate. 1533 Gau 91/19.
Lat wsz forgiff thayme quhilk detrackis and spekis euil of wsz 1560 Rolland Seven S. To Reidar 28.
Beseiking ȝow … Not to detract, nor ȝit ouir hie to ruse it a1568 Wedderburn Bann. MS. 241 b/150.
Thay do le and bakbytt, Detractand honest wemen day and nicht 1570 Sat. P. xii. 112.
Quhy stand ȝe aw of tratouris twyse detractit [: bakit, lakit] 1587 Misc. Bann. C. I. .
Vnderstanding my selff to haiff bene injustlie detractit and calumniat be malicious persouns
2. To decline, refuse to fall in with. 1596 Dalr. II. 462/19.
Gif the Catholickis now religiouslie detract [L. detrectent] this mater
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