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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.

Thar(e)-at, Thair-at(t, adv. [ME and e.m.E. þerate (1297), þar at (Cursor M.), þare at (c1400), theratte (Caxton).]

1. Referring to something material which has already been mentioned: At the place(s) or thing(s) mentioned, there, at that. 1375 Barb. xvii 788.
With gret strenth of men the ȝat Thai defendyt and stud thar-at Mawgre thar fayis c1400 Troy-bk. ii 656 (C).
The hors they drew, whill to the gate They brought, and syne hym set thare-at a1500 Henr. Fab. 2793.
Seis thow … off corne ȝone iolie flat … off barlie, peis, and quheit? I am hungrie, and fane wald be thair at a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 388.
He opnit ane secreit ȝet and out thair at Conuoyit hir 1513 Doug. i iv 53.
The mekil herdis … pasturit all the large valle about. Tharat he styntis and hynt his bow in hand 1557 Peebles B. Rec. I 242.
The … portis be alhaill closit that nane be latting in nor furth thairat without licence of ane of the baillies 1560 Rolland Seven S. 9747.
Neir the ȝet he went, Thairat knokit with meik minde and intent 1589 St. A. Kirk S. 652.
That the counsalhous dor and wyndowis be kepit fra harkneris thairat 1606 Dundonald Par. Rec. 100.
They nether brak nor dang vp dooris, bot knokit thairat 1615 Reg. Great S. 479/1.
To bring thame to the mylne of Schapinschaw to be grind thairat 1628 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. II 462.
He … tooke her be the craig and harled her to the fyre of purpose to have brunt out her eyes thairat 1665 Irvine Mun. II 91.
Forsameikle as the magistrats … haveing … appoyntit the paippingoe to be set up … and that severall dayis being appoynted for schooting thairat

b. At that occasion, there. 1502 Treas. Acc. II 298.
The … lordis passit to the justice airis of Jedworth, Selkyrk [etc.] … and remanit tharat 1560 Rolland Seven S. 7143.
Pleis ȝow to tak sic pane, Into my hous to dine with ȝour souerane … cleith ȝow vp richelie … And sit thairat in tabill with the king a1578 Pitsc. I 249 heading.
Hou the bischope maid the paipe and his cardinallis ane denner and quhat mirrienes was thairat 1597 Conv. Burghs II 2.
For the better expeditioun and comlie ordour to be keipit during this present conventioun that nane sall speik thairatt quhill he be speirit att be the moderatour

2. Referring to an event or state of affairs already mentioned: At that, because of that, as a result of that. 1375 Barb. i 201.
Thar wyffis wald thai [sc. the English] oft forly … And gyff ony of thaim thar-at war wrath Thai watyt hym wele with gret scaith ?1438 Alex. i 809.
This message will I na way ma, Quha-euer thairat wraith or blyth be ?1438 Alex. i 2042.
Gaudifeir … ane Gretian … smot sa stoutly that … He fellit [him] flatlingis … And quhan Emynedus that had sene, He woxe thairat in spreit all tene c1420 Wynt. vii 1832 (C).
Chosyne was in to his stede Mastyr Johun Scot … The Kynge Wilȝam … Hely amowit thar at was c1475 Wall. ix 235.
In till his wer war worschip for to wak, As now in warld I trow he has no mak. Tharat he smylit, and said [etc.] a1500 Seven S. 2035.
I am bot deid till him said scho … ȝit I am wepand for thé … Thar at was Balan gretly movit c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 130/64.
Thocht this nobill cunning sort … Rewardit be, it war bot ressoun Thairat suld no man mak enchessoun 1535 Stewart 5019.
Thairat [sc. a request for aid in defence] the Britis lichlie all tha leuch, Sayand … thai had power aneuche 1562 Reg. Morton I 9.
Mother … I resavit your wrytting, and hes at lenth consyderyt the same. And treuly hes sa mekle merwelyt thairat, that [etc.] 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 135.
Efter this he schew me of sa mony lytil flattereis … that ȝe will abasche thairat a1578 Pitsc. I 198/20.
Evirie word was ane mow that he spak quhilk causit the Inglis lordis to lauche thairat c1590 Fowler I 73/170.
Suirlie than it semed to me the vengence to to muche; Bot yit I wes content thairwith, and thairat did not grucht

b. Thair at aboune.1375 Barb. xiv 204 (see Thare-abone adv. a).

3. Expressing connection or attachment with something material or non-material which has already been mentioned: a. Relating to the arrangements, matter, etc. mentioned; about that; at that (level); for that (occupation). b. Attached to that.a. 1447 (1449–50) Reg. Great S. 69/1.
Never … to wythstand or againsay the foresaid ordinance … but fermly to bide thareat a1500 Seven S. 670.
He bad hir Quha that was his carnale fader Of hir … son … Scho said na questioun is thairat The king my lord withoutin lane 1529 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 102.
Quhar it [sc. ale] can be fownding wortht xvi d. the gallon hald it thairat, and quhar it can be fownding wor to be sauld for xii d. or ellis the bailyeis wyll 1571 Reg. Privy C. II 80.
He is weill myndit to sustene ane minster for minstratioun of Godis word … with sic stipend as hes bene grantit thairat of befoir 1581 Exch. R. XXI 551.
All debatabill materis … to be disydit be thame, and howevir thay in ane voice decernis to be done, bayth the saidis parties oblissis thame to stand and abyid thairat but ony reclamingb. 1566 Acts and Constit. Scotl. c. 87.
Our souerane lord … annexis till his crowne the Erldome of Ros with the pertinentis, to remane thairat for euer 1567 6th Rep. Hist. MSS 643/2.
Ane tabled hyngand with ane grytt rubye and ane grytt hingand perle thairatt