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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.

Perturb, v. Also: par-, pur- and -turbe. [ME. and e.m.E. perturbe(n, -tourbe(n (Chaucer), purturbe (Lydgate), OF. per-, partourber, -turber, L. perturbāre.] To perturb, in various applications; to disturb greatly, physically or mentally.

1. tr. To hinder (a person) by harassment. Const. infin. 1450 Reg. Episc. Brechin. I. 127.
Jhone of Cullace … perturbis and lattis the inhabitantis off … Biechine til ois … thar commone … that thai in tyme to cum lat nocht na perturbe nocht [them] … to jois [etc.]

2. To throw (a person or community) into confusion or disorder; to trouble greatly; to harass.In legal contexts, freq. in collocation with inquiet, molest and trouble.(1) 1470 Reg. Panmure II. 246.
Gif euer it sal happin … the said William … to be molestit inquietit or perturbit be me [etc.] 1498 Acta Conc. II. 173. 1511 Reg. Privy S. I. 345/1. 1556–7 Dundee B. Ct. III. fol. 96 (19 Jan.).
That the said George … be … na wyis perturbit trowblit nor molestit thare with in tyme cuming 1559 Liber Melros II. 648. 1572 Peebles B. Rec. I. 345.
Nouthir to molest cummer perturbe [or] to mak ony inquietatioun … to ony … persones 1622-6 Bisset I. 95/20.
Forbiddand the saidis archebischops … that they … do … perturbe the saidis president [etc.](2) 1513 Doug. x. xiii. 104.
With schaftis … Perturband thar stern aduersar Ene 1533 Boece iii. xxi. 121 b.
Romanis … within the dykis gretelie perturbit the Britouns 1533 Bell. Livy I. 229/33.
The consul mycht haue eith perturbit [v.r. -at] the tribune in decisioun of the richt 1564 Perth B. Ct. 178 (10 Nov.).
Vtheris ar neglectit of justice … and the magistratis perturbit in executioun of justice to vtheris 1567 G. Ball. 107.
Na suddand chance … Sall … thé perturb in mark nor lycht a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. ci. 58.
Bot we sould rather all lament Thir plaigis perturband ws sa sair a1578 Pitsc. II. 136/11.
Ȝow hiepocreitis that perturbis the serwandis of God 1596 Dalr. II. 302/23.
The Jnglismen … al the way with lycht carmuching war sa perturbet that [etc.](3) a1538 Abell 26 a.
Domycian … perturbit all the warld 1535 Stewart 41827.
The men of Ross … Perturbit hes the north 1551 Acts II. 485/2.
The Dene of Gilde … to gar leische barnis that perturbis the kirk 1570 St. A. Kirk S. 341.
New mareit personis … perturbis the town wytht rynning thair throw in menstralye and harlatrye a1578 Pitsc. I. 71/6.
Then the nobillis … became so proud and insolent that they perturbit the contrie Ib. (1814) 244.
If they came againe … to perturb his coastis that [etc.] 1603 James VI Basil. Doron 14/13.
Rashe-headie preachers that thinke it their honour to … perturbe whole kingdomes 1626 Banff Ann. I. 54.
[Striking] a puir merchant boy … and perturbing the Kingis mercat

b. To throw (the elements, universe, etc.) into disorder or confusion. c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlviii. 66.
Ane inhibitioun … To … Neptunus and Eolus … Nocht to perturb the wattir nor the air 1533 Bell. Livy II. 54/15.
Quhy perturb thai baith the hevin and erde? 1535 Stewart 36208.
And all the lift … Perturbit wes with cloudis mervelus c1552 Lynd. Mon. 4952.
It wer aneuch for tyll perturbe the air 1567 G. Ball. 109.
And Jacobis God perturbit all the eird

c. To disrupt (an activity or state of affairs); to cause disorder or irregularity in.(a) 1513 Doug. iii. vi. 101.
And so perturbyng all thi sacrifyce 1535 Stewart 43709.
King Saladyn … Perturbit hes thairof the commoun weill Ib. 51136.
Into Scotland King Edward send … for to perturbe the peice 1567 G. Ball. 94.
The counsellis of the wickit and deuyse He perturbis 1576 Reg. Privy C. II. 525.
Omitting na thing that in thame lyis to … perturb the peace 1587 Acts III. 430/2.
Quhatsumeuir persoun or personis salhappin … to perturbe the ordour of the kirk [etc.](b) 1571 Cal. Sc. P. IV. 163.
What soever he bethat parturbes my quyet lyf and estait with any busynes will [etc.]

3. To agitate or disquiet (a person's mind).(a) 1536 Lynd. Answ. Flyting 2.
Ȝour ragment … dois perturb my dull intendement 1549 Compl. 68/9.
Ane … dreyme perturbit … my dullit brane c1552 Lynd. Mon. 5094.
Gretlye it doith perturbe my mynde Off dolent deith the diuers kynd(b) 15.. Dum Wyf 16.
Quhat angwisch greif or paine Purturbit his intent

4. intr. To cause disorder or disturbance. 1582 (c 1650) Dundee B. Laws 42.
The actes maid anent the bairns that plays crys and perturbs in the kirk ȝeard