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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.

Formar(e, Former, a. Also: foormare, foirmaire, formair, foormer, foremer, formoir. [ME. former, -ere (c 1160).]

1. Former, earlier, previous.(a) c1520-c1535 Nisbet Luke xi. 26.
The last thingis of that man ar made werse than the foormare [Wycl. formere] 1558-66 Knox II. 43.
Now we returne to oure formare historie 1562-3 Winȝet I. 11/14.
Sen this controuersie … cumis but dout of the formare iniquitie Ib. 129/23.
Quhar hef ȝe … destroyt the formair ordour? 1588 Reg. Morton I. 158.
To prosequute thair formair wicked intentioun 1622-6 Bisset I. 246/17.
The formare letteres of poynding 1641 Acts V. 317/2.
According to thair formar desyre(b) 1562-3 Winȝet I. 107/5.
With … hawy dolour for the foremer offensis 1610 Misc. Hist. Soc. II. 155.
Thai fallowed soome or anie ane of the foormer thrie(c) 1599 Montgomery Mem. 243.
Ane sufficient essay and pruife of memorie … , conforme to the foirmur 1627 Misc. Spald. C. V. 219.
The bailȝe … ordanit ewerie ane of the formoir tenentis to haue fallin in ane brak of the formoir ac

2. Of an animal's feet: Fore, front. 1600-1610 Melvill 229.
My hors, whom, for want of stabling, … I founder in bathe the twa former feit c1650 P. Gordon Brit. Dist. 222.
The lyone … takes it betwixt his former feit