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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.

Quhar(e)on, Quhairon, interrog. and rel. adv. Also: -one. [North. ME quare-on (Cursor M.), whar-on (Cursor M.), Quhare C 5, On prep. Cf. Quher(e)on.]

I. 1. interrog. On what, what … on; concerning what. 1425 Acts II 11/2.
Quhil it be knawin quhare on thai leif 1524 Dumbarton B. Rec. App. ii 4.
And than the said Johne Smolet balȝe … askyt … at the forsadis balȝeis of Renfrew quhare one thai war plaintewis upone the forsadis nychtbouris of … Dunbertane c1590 Fowler I 47/6.
Quhat dois thow now, quhat looks thow on, quhairon thy thoughs dois stay

II. relative. 2. a. With reference to physical position: On, also onto, which (thing etc.).(1) ?1438 Alex. i 2723.
He hes ane hors … quhair-on he may Richt weill his hardement assay c1475 Wall. vi 466.
The kingis palȝone quhar on the libardis baid a1500 Seven S. 1800.
Thai the foundement fand & brak Quhar on the myrrour stude c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 5.
Quhairon 1513 Doug. ii viii 11.
Vp to the syd wallys mony leddyr sett is Quharon thai preys fast our the rufe to speill Ib. vi ix 152. 1535 Stewart 41382.
Kest doun the lance … Quhairon the keyis in the tyme he bair c1552 Lynd. Mon. 135.
Smelling the holsum herbis medicinall, Quhare on the dulce and balmy dew down dang a1585 Polwart Flyt. 711 (T).
I … laid the ground quhairon thow … begane to big [etc.](2) a1400 Leg. S. xxxii 496.
The tre … Quhare-one the Jowis Criste can hing c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 517.
Quhairon [a steed] he lap a1578 Pitsc. I 310/27.
Ane skaffald quhairon they pat this innocent man

b. With reference to time: On which (days etc.). 1588 King Cat. Sig. h. vi.
To the same dayes quhairon thai fell before

c. In various other non-local uses. 1513 Doug. iii ii 41.
Geif ws thine answer quharon we sal depend c1552 Lynd. Mon. 122.
The restles besynes Quhairon the most part doith thair mynd addres a1585 Maitl. Q. xix 98.
Quhen he is of aage to ring Quhair on to leif sall find na thing 1622-6 Bisset I 63/32.
The fals responses of wiches … and dissaitfull freittis … quhairon Makbaith lippynnit

3. With clause as antecedent: On which account, in consequence of which. a1538 Abell 35a.
Naktane wes woundit with a narro quharon the thrid day he deit