Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

(Ventourous,) Venturous, Venterous, adj. Also: ventrous, ventureus, ventorious. [e.m.E. venterous (1565), ventrous (1570), venturous (1576), aphetic f. Aventurous adj. Cf. Aunterous adj.] a. Of a person: Adventurous, bold, willing to take risks; impetuous. b. Of action or behaviour: Bold, rash.a. 1494 Loutfut MS 43b.
Til al fre gentilles hertis & courageus a richt hie & riche pardoun off armes of the behalue of iii or iiii gentilz compaingnous and uentureus 1568–9 Old Dundee I 73.
Some venturous ingyneis uses to mak argument … against the guid true religion … quhairby God and His religion … is dishonourit … and papistrie and its detestable reasonings are … defendit expres against the acts(b) a1500 Sir Eger 2194.
He perceived well by his feir He was a venterous knight of weir(c) a1500 Sir Eger 1479.
A ventrous knight upon a steed 1581-1623 James VI Poems II 192/29.
Ventrous Jacke shall bring to Greece The beauteous prize, the golden fleece a1676 Guthry Mem. 282.
The royalists called him a ventrous man, who would hazard to go to the prince, having been so active against the King(d) 1647 Baillie III 19.
If they let him come … without assureance of his accord with them, they are more bold and ventorious than wise c1650-1700 Descr. Zetland 17.
They are most ventorious sea-men, going to sea in small boats with two rowersb. 1637 Baillie I 36.
For this their ventorious rashness, I much chyded the authors of that write 1638 Adamson Muses Thr. 56.
Canvasse serves for ventrous navigation, Where silks are only for [etc.] 1640 Baillie Canterb. Self-convict. 48.
Their ventorious boldnesse seemes not more marveillous then their ingenuitie commendable