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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.

Recrue, -crew(e, n. Also: -creu(e, -creew, -croo. [e.m.E. recrew(e (1619, once), F. recrue, -creue (16th c. in Littré) n. fem. f. recrû p.p. of recroître.] A reinforcement to an army; a body of soldiers intended to provide such reinforcement.Only 17th c. 1640 Glasgow B. Rec. I 415.
The companie who ar direct for ane recrew to Capitane Porterfeild 1641 Acts V 349/2.
Levies and recrues of souldieres Ib. 656/2.
That no leavies, either of armies, regimentis, companies or recrues of souldiouris be licentiat … to be sent out of this kingdome Ib. 684/2.
Ane letter … recommending some officiaris for obtaining recrewis to thair regimentis 1643 Misc. Maitl. C. II 424.
Ane reserve to be a recroo to the armie at the bordouris 1644 Aberd. Council Lett. II 366.
To send some recrue for strengthning your company 1645 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 37.
The aucht man to be eikit to their said regiament as a recreew 1646 Aberd. Council Lett. III 65.
Ane hundreth men of recrew to the said regiment c1650 P. Gordon Brit. Dist. 42.
To raise ane armie … which alwayes sould be keeped intyre, and full by recrues [ed. recries] Ib. 135.
To raise a new recrewe, both of horse and foote 1651 Douglas Corr. 264.
Some recreues for my brothers regiment