Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Serpentine, adj. Also: serpentyne. [ME and e.m.E. serpentyne (a1388), OF serpentin (c1130 in Larousse), late L. serpentīn- of or belonging to a serpent.] a. Of the form of a serpent; serpent-like. b. fig. Having the supposed qualities of a serpent, esp. cunning, malevolence. —a. 1494 Loutfut MS 26b.
The paon … has the nek of a serpent … and feit serpentines —b. a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 627.
Schrewis with thare stangis serpentyne 1513 Doug. vii vi 22.
Ane felloun greif or curage serpentyne 1600-1610 Melvill 20.
Subtill revenge is nocht Christian … . Machiavel him self could nocht haiff prescryvit it sa weill as I haiff knawin it practised in this countrey; and as yit it is working on: God mak us simple as doves and wyse as serpents! I thank God … that maid me … to be war of it bot nocht to use it, as I bles my Chryst. I deteast all revenge as devillrie and namlie serpentine