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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Ourturn, Overturn(e, v. Also: ourtwrn, ovirturn. [ME. overturne(n (Ancr. R.), -torne(n, p.t. and p.p. overturned, -torned, -turnde, e.m.E. overturn, o'returne (Shakesp.).]

1. intr. To turn round, over or down; to revolve, be reversed; to be turned upside-down; to be thrown down, to collapse. c1475 Wall. iv. 152.
He with power partyt merwalusly Be fortoune chance ourturnys doubilly 1513 Doug. i. vii. 107.
The speir ourturnyt in the duste dyd write Ib. ii. vii. 99.
The woddis rerdis bath ayk elm and fyr Ourturnys [1553, ouerturnis] to grond

2. tr. To turn over; to turn upside-down. b. To throw over or down. 1513 Doug. vii. x. 50.
This cruell douchter of the ald Saturn The marbill hirst can weltir and ourturn Ib. xii. 49.
Thay quhilkis with rakis ourturnys euery bra Ib. ix. iii. 207.
Ilk man dyd hys det Fortil ourturn goblettis of mettell bryghtb. 1513 Doug. ii. xi. 128.
Our lugyng … was with Grekis beset and hail ourturnyt

3. a. To overturn, turn topsy-turvy (a state of affairs); to overthrow, overcome, overwhelm (an institution or people). a1500 Henr. Fab. 1307 (Bann.).
Se thow nocht, Lord, this warld ourturnit [C., H. ouerturnit] is As quha wald chenge gud gold in leid or tyn 1535 Stewart 6144.
Becaus the pepill war of power small As eith it war for till ouirturn thame all 1639 Baillie I. 115.
The subscryveing of the King's Covenant … became the soveraigne ingyne to overturne episcopacie

b. To turn around, reverse, change completely (a judgement, intention, undertaking). c1420 Ratis R. 454.
Irous entent Our-twrnys skilful jugement c1500 Barounis Lawis fol. 10 b.
Giftis … ourturnis the wordis of rychttuis mene