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 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Empar(e, Empair(e, v. Also: enpare. [ME. and e.m.E. empare, -paire, -payre (ME. also enpare), OF. empeirer.] a. tr. To injure, harm, impair. b. intr. To deteriorate.a. 14.. Acts I. 34/2.
Gif the criour … takis any hyre to breke or to empare the constitucion of the toune … he sall tyne his office a1500 Prestis of Peblis 274.
Ȝour iusticis ar … So covatus … That thai ȝour lordis emparis of thar pryce c1515 Asl. MS. I. 181/12.
He … suld nother say nor do thing … that micht empaire or scaith ane nothire man 1513 Doug. vii. ix. 103.
Skellies and famy craggis thai assay, Rowtand and rarand, and may not empar 1533 Boece xiv. vi. 551 b.
Quhen thai sall se … that ȝe ar na thing mait nor in hardyment enparit 1611-57 Mure Dido i. 825.
Ascanius' absence only doth empare His perfect joyesb. 1533 Boece ix. xix. 340 b.
That the glore of antecessouris suld nocht be sic dishonoure empare nor decres