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.
Quotation dates: 1498-1539, 1674
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Reprise, -pryse, n. Also: raprys. [ME and e.m.E. reprise loss, cost (1390), a charge (1433), compensation (c1570), resumption (1685), a step in dancing (1521), F. reprise (1213 in Larousse) f. repris, p.p. of reprendre to take back. Cf. 19th c. Eng. (hist.) = (in masonry) the return of mouldings in an internal angle (1850), the foot of a window mullion or jamb, which is worked on the same stone as the sills. Cf. also ‘reprises de pierre, denting peeces of stone’ (Cotgrave, 1611).]
1. In architectural use: A part of a structure jutting out, usually at a right angle, from the front or direct line; specif., a recess in a sill for a window to rest on. 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1434.
Pinnakillis, fyellis, turnpekkis mony one, … Skarsment, reprise, corbell, and battellingis 1535–6 Master of Works Accounts (ed.) I 139.
xiiii pece sailyes for reprise to round kirnellis 1535–6 Ib. 145.
For … sailyes with reprise 1538–9 Ib. 256.
For … ane repryse hewing to the wyndok abone the gret entres
2. ? A reprieve.Cf. rare obs. e.m.E. repryse v. = to withdraw from punishment, to reprieve (c1557, c1586). a1499 Contemplacioun of Synnaris 214 (Asl.).
Throu reuthfull raprys Of his pepill he nakit him of ane e
3. A resumption or renewal of an action; a fresh attempt. c1674 Butler Leighton 476.
The account … larger than the king will possiblie have patience to hear … unlesse yow finde him at several reprises at leisure
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"Reprise n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 17 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/reprise>
