Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Invent, v. Also: invente, inventt, inwent. [e.m.E. and late ME. invent (c 1475), L. invent-, p.p. stem of invenīre.]

1. To find out in the mind, to conceive. a1585 Arbuthnot Maitl. Q. xlii. 104.
Thocht it exceid our dull intelligence Of en = uerie thing the ressoun till invent

2. To devise or make up in the mind (some deceit or mischief). a. To fabricate, as a deception or a figment. 1549 Compl. 167/5.
Aye inuentand cauillatione and vrang titilis to hef ther nychtbours heretagis 1567 G. Ball. 210.
Inuentit wayis to get thame graith, Lyke as the Mes a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. cv. 3.
All lesingis that can be inventit a1578 Pitsc. I. 290/18.
All wther secreittis and inventiouns that he could inwent contrair Lord Home

b. To contrive or plot (some nefarious act). 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6827.
This murther first scho did invent 1573 Sat. P. xxxix. 185.
Ane cruikit ethnik, … Inuentand wichecraft, ay deuysand wrang a1578 Pitsc. I. 38/5.
This present discord … , quhilk is inventit throw prydfull … ambitioun 1596 Dalr. I. 288/6.
Throw counsell of his wyf he inuented the kings slauchtre

3. To devise or concoct (some erroneous innovation) in religious practice or doctrine; to introduce falsely. c1552 Lynd. Mon. 44.
All lawis … Inuentit be mennis traditioun Contrar to Christis institutioun Ib. 2198.
[He] did idolatrye invent 1562-3 Winȝet I. 119/9.
Gine ȝe … inuentis a new sense thairof contrare the former mynd of our fatheris Ib. II. 47/10.
Thame quha … thame self inuentit thair awin hæresie 1567 G. Ball. 201.
His pilgrimage and purgatorie … And mony vther fals abusioun The Paip hes done inuent

4. To originate (some new thing or method), to manufacture by a new method. 1546–7 Treas. Acc. IX. 63.
Quhilke Francheman come furth of France … with pulder and past to Striviling to invente salpetar 1622-6 Bisset II. 200/2.
Hippius and Tiron maid the first lichter … , the Cerentie inventted the hoy or gallioun Ib. /19.
Merchandice wes first invented for furnessing men of necessaris be way of exchange