A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1604-1691
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Misconstruct(e, v. [Construct v. Only Sc.] tr. = Misconstrue v.Also, to misconstrue or misrepresent (a person) to have acted in a certain way.(1) 1604 Denmylne MSS. in Highland P. III. 61.
The Grate Duck being verey leath that your majestie should misconstructe this actione or recave sinistre informatione of the samen 1619 Select Biographies I. 97.
He was grievously offended at thir false reports who … declared how he was misconstructed 1606 Forbes Rec. 521.
In general that these greiffes wer no greiffes indeed becaus conceaved upon the proclamation misconstructed 1606 Ib. 432, 434, 515. 1637 Gillespie Eng. Pop. Ceremonies ii. i. 7.
Except as it is misreported … and misconstructed … by the false calumnies of our adversaries 1638 Rutherford Lett. (1891) 556.
It is possible I be misconstructed, and deemed to seek a name 1676 W. Row Blair 207. 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. i. i. § iv. 11.
To misconstruct his majesties government … is expresly punishable by death 1678 Ib. 12. 1689 Leven & Melv. P. 52.
I am informed that some misconstruct me as if ther wer some thing els in it 1691 Ib. 628.(2) a1650 Row 523.
The subjects might have been misconstructed to have done any thing contrare to the Covenant
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"Misconstruct v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/misconstructe>
