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.
Quotation dates: 1507-1508, 1569-1596, 1650
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Tyrannous, -ius, Tirranous, adj. Also: tirannous, tiranus. [e.m.E. tyrannous (1491), tiranous (Shakespeare).] Like a tyrant, tyrannical; oppressive; fierce, harsh. a1508 Kennedy Pass. Christ 26.
We ar … As structioun stif, as tigar tiranus 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 71.
So malepairte, so fearfull, and so tyrannous a fact 1590 Burel Pilgr. i 58.
Tygers and tyrannius beists 1596 Dalr. I 161/21.
He was sa tyrannous to his awne, that [etc.] 1596 Dalr. I 168/9.
Thay al held his sone for a verie vitious vice … and a certane tirannous crudelitie, quhilke was in him c1650 Spalding I 276.
Thir ridiculouss, tirranous, scornfull articles
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"Tyrannous adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 16 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/tyrannous>
