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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.

Encres, Encrese, v. Also: encresse, encreas(s)e. [ME. encres, encrese (14th c.), e.m.E. encrease, AF. encres(s)-, OF. encreis(s)-, stem of encreistre. Cf. Incres v.]

1. tr. To make greater. c1420 Wynt. viii. 6693.
How youre worschip and youre bownte Suld be encressit mony fauld 1456 Hay II. 68/16.
Quhat lord or prince that encresis the honoure of a wise knycht … encressis and multiplyis his awin honour Ib. 107/10.
That sall encresse thair bountee c1475 Wall. ix. 116.
The greyn [betakynnys] curage, encressand his entent a1570-86 Maitl. F. clxx. 160.
God … for his sones, that sodanlie war slan, Encressed his seid withe sones sewin agane

2. intr. To become greater. a1500 Henr. Orph. 87.
The lowe of luf couth kendill & encres c1475 Wall. i. 186.
As he encressyt, and witt haboundyt than a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 110.
Thus mycht a king in fame & meid encres 1513 Doug. iv. v. 11.
Hir strenth encressis and walxis mair and mayr a1585 Maitl. Q. xxxviii. 7.
Woe dois encres, I wax witles 1611-57 Mure I. 150/101.
Without thee, Lord, … Heaven's glorious courts had neere encrest 1665 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 217.
The feires of the Hollanders invasione did daylie encrease