A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Incontinent, adv. Also: incontynent, -tenent, -tienent. [ME. incontynent (c 1440), -tenent (a 1450), OF. and e.m.E. -tinent, late L. in continenti (sc. tempore). The in is sometimes written separately in Sc.] Immediately, forthwith, without delay, at once.In constant use throughout the 15th and 16th centuries.(a) c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 738.
In contynent throught the wall … [they] entred all Ib. 2520.
He answered incontynent 1442 Stirlings of Keir 216.
That he sulde … incontynent remufe and devoyde the said landis 1456 Hay I. 62/21.
Incontynent eftir that he was cummyn, thai callit him in counsale Ib. 192/29.
Sa that the said defens be maid sone incontynent efter the injure 1500 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 633.
In contynent efter the payment of the said sowme c1515 Asl. MS. I. 286/10.
His sone … incontynent … come apone the said Egestus Ib. 290/19.
For verray sorow he deit incontynent(b) 1428 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III. 460.
Incontinent efter the fulfilling of mariage and joynt feftment gyvin 1442 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 8.
In continent he sall cum to the alderman 1466 Acta Aud. 4/2.
Johne … sall … in continent tharefter resigne and gife oure the samyne annuel 1498 Acta Conc. II. 102.
The nychtbouris … sal incontinent geve the cry and tak the sade trespassour 1520 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 194.
That this be done incontinent on the first day 1552 Conv. Burghs I. 3.
He that gettis monyest wottis to be chosin and sworn incontinent 1578 Glenartney MS. Docum.
We charge yow straitlie and commandis that in continent thir our lettres sene, ȝe pas [etc.] 1596 Dalr. II. 283/24.
Incontinent at the first word he grew pale 1622-6 Bisset II. 59/31.
The partie defender shall be haldin to ansueir incontinent verbo 1640 Misc. Abbotsf. C. 182.
He stepped out of the cell and saw incontinent the stone … flie throw the house(c) 1533 Gau 63/25.
Nathan said in contenent to hime, ‘the Lord hes tayne auay thy sine’ a1570-86 Maitl. F. xxxix. 251.
Within short tyme thow changeis thyn entent, Sendand ane contrarie lettir incontenent a1578 Pitsc. I. 215/26.
His brother wald incontienent haue hangit the pledges 1581 Crim. Trials I. 113.
Then incontenent Sir Leues Ballenden producit the attentick extractis
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"Incontinent adv.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 8 May 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/incontinent_adv>
