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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.

(Overhale,) Overhail, v. Also: ovir-, ower-, owir-, ov'r- and -hale, -haile, -haill. [Hale v.¹; also e.m.E. (1579) in certain senses. Cf. the earlier Ourhale v. (and Overharl(e v.).]

1. To gain upon, overtake, catch. 1531 Bell. Boece I. xiv.
He … Eildis richt fast, and deith him sone ouir halis

2. To pass over, disregard or overlook. 1571 Sat. P. xxvi. 65.
And gif ȝe dreid that sum will aithis ouirhaill a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 848 (Wr.).
There be more senses than the sight, Which ye ov'rhaile for haste

3. To subject to force or power.a. To oppress, maltreat; also, to abuse verbally. b. To conquer, subdue. c. To force or compel (to do something).a. 1531 Bell. Boece II. 360.
[They] began … to ouirhail the peple with sindry oppressionis a1578 Pitsc. I. 284/21.
The realme was ewill gydit and ower haillit [I. ovirharllit] be my lord of Angus 1584 Calderwood IV. 29.
[The Earl of Arran, etc.] by their vitious and outrageous language overhailed suche of the nobilitie … that would not consent to their affections 1606 Rollock's Thess. 173 (Jam.).
He sayes, ‘Let no man oppresse, ouercome, ouerhaile, or circumveen another man’b. 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 217.
Albeit the said quene of Ingland wald owirhaill for ane tyme ane pairt of this cuntrie 1583 Sempill Warning xxi.
Giff France vald hyr ȝov, Ingland to ovirhaillc. 1676 Moray Synod 164.
Simple ministers are overhailed to make condiscendances, to the great prejudice of the provisione of churches