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.
Quotation dates: 1399-1570
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Ernist, Ernyst, n. Also: hernyst, ernest, eirnist. [ME. ernest(e, OE. eornost.] Serious purpose or intention; earnest.(a) a1400 Legends of the Saints xxix. 727.
Thai … carpit sammyne Quhilis of hernyst & quhilis of gammyn ?1438 Alex. ii. 3876.
Ȝe ar our wilfull for to say Ȝour will in ernest or in play c1420 Ratis Raving 1663.
This eild suld stable be alway, And lovis ernyst mar than play a1500 Henr. Fab. 20.
It is richt profitabill Amangis ernist to ming ane merie sport c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace v. 637.
Quhar gret ernyst is in thocht, It lattis wer in the wysest wys be wrocht c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 82.
Richt hardie baith in ernist and play 1555 Carte Northberwic 70.
The said Ihone Spens sall nocht … play in mowis nor ernist quhill … Kandelmas(b) a1500 Henr. Fab. 2552.
Is this ȝour bourding in eirnist than? 1570 Satirical Poems x. 364.
He did disdane all foull and fylthie word. In ony sort, outher in eirnist or bourd
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"Ernist n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/ernist_n>
