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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.

Superfluitie, n. Also: -fluite(e, -flwitie, -fluyte, -flewite, -fleuytee, supperfluitie. [ME and e.m.E. superfluyte (Wyclif), superfluitee (Chaucer), superfluite (1526), superfluitie (1532), OF superfluité (c1180 in Larousse), med. L. superfluitat-. Cf. Superflew adj.]

1. Over-abundance, more than adequate supply (of something). Also, an instance of this.(1) 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 579.
His palyce ryall, ryche, and radious, Nor ȝit, the flude of superfluitie Off his ryches … Preualit hym not 1549 Compl. 19/13.
Princis ande vthirs of autorite becummis ambitius ande presumpteous, throucht grite superfluite of veltht 1629 Boyd Last B. (1629) 826.
That I lash not out into excesse of supperfluitie of wickednesse(2) c1552 Lynd. Mon. 5984.
Quhen ȝe refusit the puris … And of ȝour superfluitie For my saik maid thame no supplie

2. Something unnecessary, specif. harmful or waste products of the human body. 1456 Hay II 117/20.
Syk men that ar of syk abstinence … ar lang hale, for nature in thame has laisere, till expell his superfluitee 1456 Hay II 122/28.
The naturale hete that wastis evill humoures, ventositeis and fleumes, and makis the stomak mare hable, and expellis superfluiteis of, and evill humouris to naturale issues 1456 Hay II 123/23.
Nocht … to lay a mete hastily apon ane othir for that … genderis mony superfluiteis in the stomak 1456 Hay II 137/12.
The mydlynis metis engenderis na superfluiteis of evill humouris 1456 Hay II 140/10.
Thai wynis expellis the superfluiteis of nature 1490 Irland Mir. I 67/13.
Thar had bene expulsioune and egestioune of the superfluiteis … as vryn and vthere superfluite 1549 Compl. 59/14.
The myst … is the excrement or the superfluite of the cluddis c1580-90 Rules of Health 5.
Exonerand and dischargeand the superfluiteis of the samin [sc. the belly] throw the quhilk trewlie all the vapouris descendis and ar diuertit

b. Excess of thought. a1500 Lanc. 393.
Tak no kep Nore traist in to the vanyteis of slep For thei are thingis that askith no credens But causith of sum maner influens Empris of thoght ore superfleuytee Or than sum othir casualytee

3. Extravagance, excessive lavishness of, or self-indulgence in, clothing, food, etc., or an instance of this.(1) 1490 Irland Mir. III 140/6.
The noblis … passand to battale suld nocht vse na superfluite in thar clething 1540 Lynd. Sat. 3188.
The markit raisit bene sa hie That prelats dochtours of this natioun Ar maryit with sic superfluitie [etc.] 1556 Knox IV 227.
I can not praise the commoun superfluitie whilk now is usit amang wemen in thair apparell 1575 Bk. Univ. Kirk I 335.
We thinke … vnseimlie … all kynd of superfluitie of cloath in makeing of hose(2) 1531 Bell. Boece II 284.
In thay dayis, the nature of man was not sa ouerset with superflewiteis as now: for than the pepill eit bot twyis on the day, and had bot two courssis

b. Exorbitant expense. c1590 Fowler II 114/19.
Vnto the superfl[u]yte and sumptuousnes of these great charges he provyded by his sparingnes