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

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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Prudent, adj. Also: proud-. [ME and e.m.E. prudent (Wyclif), preud- (c1450), F. prudent (c1300 in Godef. Compl.), L. prūdēnt- foreseeing, knowing, skilled, experienced, versed in a thing, sagacious, contracted f. prōvidēnt- Provident adj.] Prudent, in the usual senses.

1. Of persons: Worldly-wise; discreet; politic; prudent; able to choose an advantageous course of action.(1) ?1438 Alex. i 1182.
That knycht … [was] Richt prudent in his gouerning 1490 Irland Mir. I 26/25.
Thou suld be prudent, hardy and stark in all gud werkis a1500 Bk. Chess 862.
Experiens in to a prudent knycht Dois mor in battall … Than of a ȝoungar inexpert the hardynes c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 508. 1531 Bell. Boece II 65.
Foure prudent men wer chosin … to evin all debatis betwix thame a1538 Abell 4a.
Ane … of the best of the pepill & maist prudent to be president to the laif 1540 Lynd. Sat. 2391.
My prudent lordis of the thre estaitis [etc.] 1549 Compl. 3/3.
Ther is na prudent man that vil iuge that this pistil procedis of … adulatione c1552 Lynd. Mon. 3602.
Cyrus, … Prudent, and full of pollicye 1556 Knox IV 223.
Be ye simpill as dowis, and prudent as serpentis 1562-3 Winȝet I 6/30.
The speciall rutis of all mischeif we suspect nocht ȝour prudent nobilitie to mysknaw 1590 Burel Queen's Entry 358.
I mene … The prouest ane maist prudent man(2) c1530-40 Stewart Bann. MS 219a/25.
[She is] prudent of speche 1567 Sat. P. iii 103.
Ȝoung Charles prudent of ingyne

2. Wise, sapient. c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 78.
Prudent Minerua 1549 Compl. 129/7.
Socrates, quhilk vas iugit to be the maist prudent man in the vniuersal varld Ib. 139/34. c1552 Lynd. Mon. 388.
‘Prudent father,’ quod I, ‘allace!’ a1568 Weddirburne Bann. MS 260b/29.
Virgill … was prudent graif and saige a1585 Maitl. Q. lxviii 33.
Prudent poetis … Hes so thair name extold That [etc.]

3. Of conduct, action, etc.: Marked by, or displaying, prudence; judicious, politic. c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxxi 17.
Thy prudent wit we think thow hes abusit 1513 Doug. v xii 98.
With syk wordis, and prudent sermonyng Of hys wys agit frend, than Eneas [etc.] 1531 Bell. Boece I xxiv.
Our peple, … be thair prudent industry, winnis fische sufficient to sustene thaimself a1538 Abell 82b.
He … maid a halie & prudent sermont to his lordis c1590 J. Stewart 248 §192.
His [Christ's] pithie prudent parabols 1630 Craig-Brown Selkirkshire II 57.
He playis ane proudent pairt