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

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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Ras(c)h(e, adj. (adv.). Also: rassh, rache, raische, rysche. [ME rasch (14th c.), e.m.E. ras(s)h(e (16th c.), MDu. rasch, OHG rasc (Germ. rasch), ON röskr, Sw., Dan. rask active, vigorous; quick, hasty (cf. OE líg-ræsc lightning).]

a. Of persons: Impetuous, hasty, hotheaded, acting without consideration of consequences. c1460 Alex. (Taym.) (ed.) 2531.
The ȝoung ay ar rycht rasche and suddan stert And lukis nocht the perrell efterwart 1570 Misc. Bann. C. I 47*.
I was evir mair rashe nor wyse c1590 Fowler II 20/21.
Dispytefull inuectiues … as rasche railars a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 436 (Wr.).
All ou'rs are repute to be vice; Ou'r high, ou'r low, ou'r rash, ou'r nice 1587-99 Hume 77/288.
Maist blockish men, rash, riotous, and rude 1603 Philotus 38.
Rasch a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xxviii 24.
Thoght Rigovr then be rekles rash, Ȝit Curage [etc.] 1615 Crim. Trials III 356.
Nocht as rasche and rekles liearis … bot as witnessis deliberately fals 1622-6 Bisset II 173/10.
Ane rasche and suddan prince Ib. 319/19.
Be nocht over rasche in thy sensoure … of that quhilk eftir bettir advisement takin may [etc.] 1662 Stirlings of Keir 498.
I requeist yow not to be to rassh, for they [the English] ar very kittill

b. Of speech, actions, qualities, etc.: Ill-considered; proceeding from excessive or improper haste; uncontrolled, intemperate.(a) 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 2.
In making of hir mariage, hir lichtnes was verray heidlang and rasche 1581 Sempill Sat. P. xliii 211.
Of rasche decreitis cums rew and may not mend it 1582 Crawford Mun. Invent. II 178 (28 Sept.).
Your rasche consenting to assist the Erle of Craufurd to do ane manifest vrang a1585 Polwart Flyt. 136 (T).
I lawche to sie thé bleitter, Gloir in thy ragmentis rasche [etc.] 1596 Dalr. I 139/3.
With sa rude, rasche, and rouch wordes 1597 Stirling Kirk S. in Misc. Maitl. C. I 129.
Thair hes bein great misordur amangis the pepill … at … the Lordis Supper, in rash and suddan cuming to the tabill 1621 Perth Kirk S. MS 25 Jan.
His rache humour efter drink 1635 Edinb. Surgeons 120. 1642 Robertson Cullen Ch. Ann. 31.
Everie ane that sall be fund … in ane rashe oath sall pey sixpence 1650 Moray Synod 108.
Killing a child be rash striking of him in way of correctione 1670 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS 5 Nov.
Fynes William Meikle in threttie shilling Scots for his rashe cariadge in his druckennes towards John McCrobbert(b) 1564 Perth B. Ct. 96.
His inordinat and raische speeking in impediment to the said procuratour(c) 1584 Reg. Privy C. III 691.
Thair rysche and insolent behaviour

c. comb. as adj. in rash-headie, -passioned, and as adv. in raschest-railling. 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 14/13.
Puritans and rashe-headie preachers — 1589 Reg. Privy C. IV 424.
We have nocht shawne oure selff (prased be God) rashe passioned — 1622-6 Bisset I 77/28.
Nather ȝit have I prophaned … the … sacreit scriptouris … as sum of the vulgar and raschest railling simpilest commounis dois