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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.

Ensew, v. Also: enseu, enswe. [ME. ensewe (1430), ensue, OF. ensiw-, ensu- (inf. ensuivre). Cf. Enschew v.³ and Enschewing ppl. a.]

1. tr. To follow as a model, standard, or course of action. 1513 Doug. ii. Prol. 7.
God grant me grace hym dyngly to ensew! Ib. ix. Prol. 72.
My lewytnes … Kouth not ensew hys ornat fresch endyte 1533 Boece v. i. 163.
Mogall … , memorative of the glorios actis of his gudeschir, studyit to ensew his maneris and sorte of gyding Ib. viii. iii. 250.
Kirkmen … quhilk ensewit the exempill of Sanct Palladie c1552 Lynd. Mon. 562.
That … euery one Mycht knaw the law, and so the sam ensew 1571 Sat. P. xxv. 124.
Swa vse thaim, and chuse thaim, What pairt thei will ensew

b. To follow as an authority. 1533 Boece vii. xii. 245.
The dekin Paule, … Veremwnd and vtheris mare recent authouris … (quham we ensewe)

2. To pursue; to seek to obtain. 1513 Doug. iii. v. 89.
Quhil he at last ensewit ane othir may Ib. vi. 25.
That we the realm of Italy suld seik, Ensew the landis quhilkis war for ws provyde 1533 Boece x. vi. 359.
Alpyne of resoun aucht to ensewe his kinrik with force of armys

3. intr. a. To follow, come behind. 1513 Doug. ii. xi. 77.
Neir at our bak Crevse, my spows, ensewys c1590 Fowler I. 71/113. Ib. 98/30.
Witt than with Modestie ensewid, and wer thair nighbouris nixt

b. To follow in point of time, or as a consequence or sequel. 1482 Edinb. Chart. 146.
At siclike times and dais immediately enswevin [sic] efter the refusale of the said mariage 1558-66 Knox II. 362.
Banketing, immoderat dansing, and huredome that thairof enseuis 1572 Maitl. Q. lxii. 71.
On sic vyild treasoun vengeance man ensew 1600-1610 Melvill 132.
Sa that all things gaes louse, and warse lyk till ensew 1611-57 Mure True Cruc. 1828.
Then shall another sight of sinne enswe