Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

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

Stow, v.² Also: stowe, stuw. [17th c. Eng. stow, ON stýfa to cut off, stúfr a stump.]

1. To cut off (the ears, nose, etc.). 1513 Doug. vi viii 41.
Of stowyt his erys tway … hys nes cuttit away 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1939.
Quhae devill maid ȝow a gentillman wald nocht stow [Ch. cut] ȝour luggis? 1558 Melrose Reg. Rec. III 161.
He suld stuw his luggis 1560 Rolland Seven S. 7967.
Of hir awin spous that maid sic mutulatioun. … His stanis, his luggis, scho stowit, and teith out dang 1611 Reg. Privy C. IX 116.
[He] with ane lang knyf barbarouslie cuttit and stowed the taill frome the said horse 1612 Orkney & Shetl. Ct. Bk. 23.
And quhasoever sall be tryet or fund to stow or cut ane uther mans hors taill the doer thairof sall be punischit as a theif

2. transf. or fig. a. Const. away: To excise (error). b. To remove or exclude (a person) frae (an institution).a. 1562-3 Winȝet II 54/24.
Al the vickit nouelteis of al hæresiis, as be a spiritual suord, hes oftymes bene stowit away and oftymes ar to be stowitb. a1689 Cleland 109.
But will you stowe me frae the Rump, Defer the taking of the lump Untill the Parliament explain it