A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1573-1626
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Subterfuge, n. [e.m.E. subterfuge (1611), OF subterfuge (1316 in Larousse), late L. subterfugium.] An underhand device or stratagem to avoid censure, defeat in an argument, etc. — 1573 Cath. Tr. 3/13.
I haue … ansuerit, without ony boutgaitt or subterfuge from the mater that is betuix ws in debait 1573 Cath. Tr. 29/22.
Gif … thay ansuer directlie without all subterfuge to that thing quhilk is in questione or controuersie 1600 Hamilton Facile Tr. 341.
Caluin hes na vther subterfuge to delude this notable example agains his heresie 1620 Row 268.
That no such subterfuge be left unto impious and wicked men 1622-6 Bisset I 259/12.
The chargare … fyndeth … the valeu of his persuit exhausted upon the expensis of his pley … to the enbalding of the evill disposed upoun hoip of his delayis, and subterfuges to frustrate and oververie there creditour
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"Subterfuge n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 16 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/subterfuge>
