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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.

Recovera(u)nce, Recowera(u)nce, n. Also: recuuer- and -ans, -ence. [ME (Cursor M.) and e.m.E. recouera(u)nce, -ans(e, OF recoverance, reco(u)vrance, Recover v.]

1. The recovery or regaining of a thing or state.Cf. Recover v. 1 and 4. 1398 Liber Melros 489.
The recouerance of that gude and some fornemmid c1400 Troy-bk. ii 2792.
In the recoweraunce of the quhilk The Kyng Menone [come] with gret force 1478 Acta Aud. 60/1.
Fra the day of sett of the said acris … to the day of the recouerance of the sammyn out of the kingis handis c1490 Irland Asl. MS 17/27.
Recouerans of grace and werteu 1543–4 Corr. M. Lorraine 57.
My lord governour with all his cumpany wil pas to the recoverance therof [sc. Ancrum House]

2. Recovery from trouble or adversity; means or opportunity of recovery; succour, help.(1) 1490 Irland Mir. I 81/8.
Foure gret riueris for the … sustentacioune and recoueraunce of the hail waurld 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 25.
The quene … in quhais power the haill recoverance standis onelie a1578 Pitsc. I 121 n.
He persuadit the Earle of Douglas … to interprys his recoverence in sett battell(2) c1420 Wynt. viii 7070.
Abbays … That stroyit but recoverance [C. recuuerance] wace ?1548 Corr. M. Lorraine 239.
My honour, quhilk hed … bene owt off recowerance wer nocht yowr grace help