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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.

Greve, Greive, n.² Also: greeve, grew(e. [ME. greve (c 1330), pl. greves (a 1300), OF. greve, grieve. Cf. Greif n.]

An injury or wrong done to someone; molestation; also, harsh or oppressive treatment, oppression.sing. a1400 Leg. S. xxv. 151.
Brethir twa … sic request til hyme can ma That he defend thame wald of grewe [: lewe] 1416 Liber Melros 539.
We vndirtakand … that the saide remowing of thair plvis … sal gener thaim … na preiudice, greue na damage in tyme to cum c1420 Wynt. v. 2730.
Quhare that mercy tays na stede, Bot al wyth awe and grew [C. greif] is lede 15.. Clar. iv. 1414.
One skaith is les nor two ȝe may beleive, My paine I reput not unto ȝour greivepl. 14.. Acts I. 107/2.
At the haly religioun be mantenyt & kepyt fra al oppressionis & grevis done til it in tym bigane c1420 Wynt. vii. 1881.
Efftyre gret grewys and wrangwys That done wes to thame than offtsys 1567 G. Ball. 153.
Thay did me mony greuis [: theuis] 1606 Lett. Eccl. Affairs I. 365.
The distrustis, dislykeingis, grevis, and eleistis fallin furth amang thame selffis 1639 Baillie I. 200.
[He] assured me of the truth … and the great greives of the English nation

b. pl. Grievances complained of, or the document stating these.(a) c1420 Wynt. viii. 2365.
Chargyd than war thai … the grevys [C. grewis] for to schawe To the Pape 1609 Stirling B. Rec. 122.
To heir the said Mr. Alexanderis greves with his awin advyse for remeid thairof 1616 Crim. Trials III. 407.
[He] produces the bairnes grevis, to be considerit be my lord Justice 1660 Nicoll Diary 272.
To direct his letters to the nobles, barones, and burgessis … desyring thame to draw up thair grevis(b) 1582 Bk. Univ. Kirk II. 582.
We.thoght necessar … to present and open to ȝour Grace certaine of our cheife and weightie greives 1614 Conv. Burghs II. 462.
The greives of the nichtboors of Kirkcaldie … to be writtin vp to the burrowes agent at court 1624 Melrose P. 644*.
Preassing … that thair greivis in this point might be related to the rest of the ministerie(c) 1624 Ib. 640*.
Wee called for the ministeris, and earnestlie delt with thame to acquaint ws with thair greeves 1628 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. II. 242.
They earnestlie craved that we would … certifie your Majestie of the truthe of their just greeves