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

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Trip, v. Also: tripp, tryp, treip. P.t. also trippet. [ME and e.m.E. trip(pe(n, tryppe(n (all Chaucer), trepe(n (c1380), MDu. and LG trippen, OF treper, trip(p)er.] intr. and tr.

1. intr. To go, proceed in a light or nimble fashion, to skip, flit. a1500 Henr. Fab. 872.
The lark, the maueis and the merll full hie Sweitlie can sing, trippand [Bass. creippand] fra tre to tre a1500 Henr. Fab. 2061.
He lap full lichtlie about him quhair he lay, And all the trace he trippit on his tais, As he had hard ane pyper play he gais a1605 Montg. Flyt. 271 (T).
On ane alhallow evin Quhen our goode nichtbouris ryddis … Ay trippand [H. trottand] in trowpis fra the twie-licht Trip & Go in 1662 Forbes Cantus (ed. 1666).
She ran like a roe, she tript like a doe

b. To step with a light-footed motion, to skip, dance; to prance. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 150/22.
Mony prowd trumpour with him trippit Throw skaldand fyre ay as thay skippit [etc.] c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 100/27.
He hoppet lyk a pillie wanton … He trippet quhill he tint his panton: A mirrear dance mycht na man se 1513 Doug. xi xii 8 (Ruddim.).
The stampand stedis … Now trypand [C., Sm. thrympand] here now thare, thair hede did cast a1568 Scott v 9.
Now in May to madynnis fawis With tymmer wechtis to trip in ringis

2. fig. a. tr. To trip up, catch out; to lead into difficulties. 1596–7 Edinb. B. Rec. V 183.
The … baillies, counsall [etc.] … fynds that thair is many things contenit in the said formes quhilk micht treip and snair thame and induce ane cryme of tressoun

b. intr. To commit a misdemeanour. 1686 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII 30.
The posts being the only persons guilty by that trade they draw in carrying privat pacquets for their oun behoofe and profeite, and that this being now more strictly looked to … so as these ordinary posts dare not tripp any longer [etc.]