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 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Sterving, Stairving, vbl. n. [ME and e.m.E. steruinge (a1300), staruing (1549); Sterv(e v.] The action of dying or coming close to dying of hunger or cold, in sense 2 or 3 of the verb. — 1621-40 Melville Commonpl. Bk. 19.
Thair is ane difference betine stairving and stark mad a1658 Durham Comm. Rev. 352.
Beside some [sc. Christians] were purposly martyred by sterving, as is recorded of one Hyacinthus, one of Trajans own chamber 1681 Moncreiffs 231*.
[Within [blank] days the said P. Lian died of his wounds, loss of blood and] sterving by cold 1683 Lett. to Earl Aberd. 107.
Their wyfes and schildring were broght to sterving