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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.

Lament, v. [e.m.E. lament(e (1530– ), OF. lamenter, L. lāmentārī.]

1. tr. To lament, bewail, mourn for. Const. simple object or noun clause.(1) 1533 Bell. Livy II. 10/17.
Lamentand … the vnhappy bewtie of this virgine, and the necessite that inforsit … the … slauchter 1540 Crim. Trials I. i. 229.
His death … was lamented of verrie fewe 1549 Compl. 26/2.
Ȝong Octouian lamentit hauyly the slauchtir of … Cesar 1558-66 Knox II. 323.
The said earle lamented his formare inordinate lyef 1570 Sat. P. xxiv. 9.
I lament the great ingratitude Of cruell catiues a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. ci. 57.
Bot we sould rather all lament Thir plaigis 1584 Sat. P. xlv. 75.
Lamenting sair his losse and skayth(2) 1533 Bell. Livy I. 213/17.
The faderis … lamentit hevily the quyk ingyne of Ceso Fabius began to evanis c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus i. 710.
Thay sall haif caus … for to lament That thus … sa faint the causis stand 1562-3 Winȝet I. 31/9.
The prophete Hieremie lamentis that God … had causit [etc.] 1587-99 Hume 76/280.
[It] is to be lamented … That few of learning suld take … care

b. To complain of, state as a grievance.(1) 1568 Hosack Mary Q. of Scots 525.
He wreit to hir lamentand his evill intreatment a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. clxxiv. 22.
Pas to the prince to him ȝour caice lament 1572 Peebles B. Rec. 337.
To gif in ane bill to my lord regent … to lament our heirschippis 1599 Conv. Burghs II. 42.
[He] regraitit and lamentit the estait of certane Holanderis laitlie tane(2) 1555 Peebles B. Rec. 222.
It wes humlie menit and hevelie lamentit to the … provest … that [etc.] 1576 Goudie Shetl. Antiq. 180.
It is lamentit be the said auld lawrichtmen that [etc.] 1591 Crim. Trials I. ii. 240.
The said Barbara lamentit vnto hir, that a man callit Archie had done her grit wrang

2. intr. To lament, grieve, mourn. 1551 Hamilton Cat. 4.
Quhat trew Christin hart will nocht … lament and sorrow, to se sa mony sectis c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus i. 709.
Joys I my life … Thay sall haif caus … for to lament a1570-86 Arbuthnot Maitl. F. xxix. 7.
Quhilk is the caus that I murne and lament a1578 Pitsc. I. 46/2.
The King being of tender aige lamentit and grat werie sair Ib. 144/22.
Lat nocht ȝour selffis appeir in wemenis personagis lamentand and murneand for ony misfortun