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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.

Perturbatio(u)n(e, -acio(u)n(e, n. Also: -itioun. [ME. and e.m.E. perturbasyoun (Chaucer), -acioun (Wyclif), -ation (1460), OF. perturbacion (14th c. in Littré), L. perturbātiōn-.] Perturbation, in various usual senses.

1. The action of disturbing or troubling a. a person, b. a settled state of affairs. 1439 Charter (Reg. H.) C.O. No. 49.
The forsaide Ione … sal hafe … the forsaide landis … withoutin let perturbacion harme or distroubelance of me 1531 Rec. Earld. Orkney 215.
But ony molestatione inquietacione or perturbacione of ony personis 1561 St. A. Kirk S. 138.
That na perturbacion of the unite and ordor be brokyn by hym 1562 Mill Mediæv. Plays 223.
Personis … quha … purpoissis to rais seditione … for perturbatioun of the commoun tranquilitie quhairin [etc.] 1567 Reg. Privy C. I. 531.

c. Disturbance, disorder, commotion, trouble. — 1559 Liber Melros II. 648.
Throcht grete perturbatioun within the realm 1562 Q. Kennedy in Knox VI. 176.
It is bot perturbation tumultuation and cummer that ye seik 1562-3 Winȝet II. 12/26.
Al this perturbatioun trible and hie interpryseis … ar wpsproung c1575 Balfour Pract. 273. 1578 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. I. 80.
Johne Meik is deprywit of his fredome … becaus of the perturbatioun made be hym in jugement the last court 1644 S. Leith Rec. 52.
The two deacons … to tak order … that no perturbatione be in the backsyd of their lofts in tyme of divin service

d. In the phr. to mak, or do, perturbacioune, in the above senses. 1472 Lennox Mun. 88.
Eftir … that it be knawyn that I … mak ony inquietacione perturbacione clame soyt or following off … the said erldome 1531 Mill Mediæv. Plays 124.
Thame that beis absent … fra the said processioun or that makkis trubill or perturbatioun thairin 1562 St. A. Kirk S. 170.
That na perturbacione of religion be mayd heir be hym 1566 Reg. Privy C. I. 490.
To … mak molestatioun and perturbatioun to the disturbing of all gude ordour a1578 Pitsc. II. 153/32.
Or ellis lett them depart … and mak ws no more perturbitioun — 1498 Acta Conc. II. 187.
For the wrangus impediment vexacione and perturbacione done be the sade Alexander … to the sadis … comunite 1550 Reg. Privy C. I. 85.
That nane of thame … do ony hurt harme molestatioun inquietatioun or perturbatioun to ony of the liegis of … Ingland 1554 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 281.
To … keip him fra doing of skayth and forther perturbatioune

e. The fact of being disturbed or harassed. — 1590 Prot. Bk. J. Inglis 28 Sept.
Allageand that nane meicht enter thairto in rest & pece for fere of perturbatione

2. Mental agitation; distress of mind. 1490 Irland Mir. I. 163/14.
Thar was na manere of passioune nore perturbacioune that mycht … troubile him a1538 Abell 57 (bis) b.
The quhilk seiknes wes caus of gret perturbatioun in the kinrik

3. A particular instance of 1 or 2 above. 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 186.
This perturbation that was in Jonas letteth us see [etc.] a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1825) 168.
For the … appeasing of trublis and perturbations appeyring and to restablish … union amang his haill subjects 1635 Dickson Hebrews 67.
Their sinnefull passions and perturbations