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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.

Fand(e, Faynd(e, v. Also: fawnd, fend. [ME. fande, fonde, OE. fandian.]

1. tr. To put to the proof or test; to make trial of, to prove. 1375 Barb. xii. 148.
Thame semyt men … That had fayndit thair fayis in ficht a1400 Leg. S. xxix. 273.
Thé behofis fayndit be As wes Job c1420 Wynt. v. 5258.
The Devil come in full intent For til fand hym wyth argument Ib. vii. 2853.
Thai fayndyd off this the Kyngys wille; Bot he wald noucht consent thare-till c1475 Wall. x. 1026.
A gentill worthi knycht At … cruel ay had beyn, And fayndyt weill amang his enemys keynrefl. a1400 Leg. S. xxviii. 188.
He … has thé gyfine lyf & aynde To strif with hyme thé tho thu faynde c1475 Wall. ix. 1273.
For Inglismen thai had haldyn the hycht In wathman lyff, and fayndyt thaim rycht weill

b. To test by exercise; to exert. 1375 Barb. vi. 618.
I will … heir Byde, … And se quhat fors that thai can faynd Ib. xvi. 219.
Richard of Clar … Sall haf no will to faynd his mycht In battell c1420 Wynt. viii. 6758.
Sa fast thare fors can thai faynd That baithe the partyis failyeid aynd c1450-2 Howlat 602.
Quhar he furth fure, Ȝaipe to faynd his offens

2. To make trial of (a person); to tempt. 1375 Barb. xii. 364.
Quha sa varrayis vrangwisly Thai faynd [E. fend] God all too gretumly a1400 Leg. S. iii. 168.
Scho me fandyt besily To syne with hyr in lichory Ib. xxviii. 139; etc.
Olibrius … wes ful thra To fand hyr & ger consent Til his lykine c1420 Wynt. vi. 2120.
He had ferly That he hym fandyde sa thraly Of Scotland to tak the croune

3. To try if (something can be done). a1400 Leg. S. vi. 517.
That he … vald … fand gyf scho mycht get hir wil Ib. xxvii. 1385.
The bischope … fandit, giff he ger hym mocht Leif his purpos

4. To try or endeavour to do something.(a) a1400 Leg. S. iii. 135.
Thar-for fand nocht to nyicht me Ib. iv. 49.
Phylet … fandyt thru sle argument For till eschow of his entent 1409 Exch. R. IV. p. ccx.
He sal cum … til cunnabil place … and thar it sal be fandit … to ger the thing be duly refourmit c1420 Wynt. vii. 371.
Hys brodyr Downald than his sted Fandyde to wyn Ib. viii. 6474.
Thai … fandyt on the wall to gete c1450-2 Howlat 593.
He bure … The armes of the Dowglas … Quhilk oft fandit with force his fa till offend a1500 Henr. Fab. 2875 (B).
The mous … fandit hir defend with mony mane a1500 Seven S. 1956.
I sall fande to kepe him nowellipt. a1400 Leg. S. xxxvi. 748.
That man … That kirk neuir entre mocht, &, gyf he fandit [etc.](b) 1375 Barb. i. 42.
Till that the barnage … fayndyt fast To cheys a king a1400 Leg. S. ii. 995.
He fayndis bath lat and ar For to distroy quytly our lare c1420 Wynt. vii. 3117.
Thai … fayndyt to gere the body Translatyd be of that lady 1456 Hay II. 109/13.
Faynde with fairnes to flee before thai thé fang a1500 Rauf C. 899.
Now [thou] faindis to haue fauour with thy fleichingis a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 357.
Thus … faynd his frendschip to fang a1568 Bann. MS. 226 a/29.
Alhaill I beheit To fend with freindschipis feill to fail at hir feit(c) a1400 Leg. S. x. 415.
He fawndyt myn wil for to gate

b. To try to do, to attempt. c1420 Ratis R. 272.
Faind nocht with fors at thow may falȝhe