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

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

Warn, v.² Also: warne, varn, wairne. P.t. also warndit. [ME and e.m.E. werne(n, warne(n (both Layamon), varn (Cursor M.), OE wiernan, wearnian, ON verna, varna.]

1. tr.To refuse or deny (something desired or due). Also with double object. 1375 Barb. xviii 332 (C).
Thai … tald thame quhat kyn velcummyng Dowglas thaim maid … And varnyt thame the playn [E. warnyt planly] herbery c1420 Wynt. vii 2735 (W).
He warnyt his tendis … To be set till his awne men 1424 Acts II 4/2.
Gif at the ende of the saide xv dais the payment be nocht redy the officiaris of ilk scherefdome sall tak of ilk man that warnys payment a kow for v s. [etc.] 14.. Reg. Maj. c. 61.
Mut may be apone that betuix the cousyng & the cheff lorde gif he denyis him humage or than betuix the cheff lorde & the eme gif at the cheff lorde to the cousyng his humagis warnis c1475 Wall. vi 780.
He … gaiff gretly feill gudis at he wan; He warndit nocht til na gud Scottis man

b. To deny (a person's will), to deny (a person) (a request). Also const. of one's will. Also absol. a1400 Leg. S. xvi 390.
For-thi thi ȝarninge I thé warne a1400 Leg. S. xviii 795.
Thu sittis with God in til His trowne, That na requeste wil thé warne c1420 Wynt. ii 201 (C).
Jacob warnyt hym vttraly Bot gif he gaf hym hallely Al his awantage 1535 Stewart 31947.
He wes warnit that tyme of his will 1535 Stewart 50862.
Was nane that tyme mycht warne him of his willabsol. 1456 Hay I 30/7.
Romaynes … nocht large of gift, and redily wil tak and wele can warne and nocht will ces of craving quhill thai get graunt

c. To refuse to carry out a person's will. 1375 Barb. iv 392.
Oftsys … He went till huntyng with his menȝe, And swa the land abandownyt he That durst nane warne [C. warn] to do his will

2. tr.To oppose (a person) in an action, to stop, prevent, restrain (a person) from doing something. Also absol.(a) 1375 Barb. ii 137.
The Dowglas then his way has tane Rycht to the hors … Bot he that him in ȝhemsell had, Than warnyt hym dispitously 1513 Doug. v xi 63.
Quha wil ws warn to beild vp wallys hie, And to our citesanys set heir a cite?(b) 1659 Dumfries Kirk S. 14 July.
It was regraited by some elders that people takes liberty wpon the sabbath night to wairne folk to thair work agains the Monendayabsol. ?1438 Alex. ii 127.
He fell and his fute can hint, And wald haue kissit it or he stint. The king warnit and vp him tuke

b. To deny (entry) to a person; to deny (a person) entry or passage, to forbid (a person) to enter or leave. Also const. of the way. a1400 Leg. S. iii 1018.
Ȝe ask hym sum harde questione, The quhilk gyf he can nocht undo, That the entre be warnyt hym to 1456 Hay I 61/2.
Quhen Julius Cesar was cummyn to Rome, thai durst nocht warne him the portis 1456 Hay I 148/34.
Ȝe suld nocht warne me leve a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 253.
Al thai that ar wrocht vndir the hie hevin Micht nocht warne thame at wil to ische nor entre 1535 Stewart 37744.
At Striuiling brig he la, This Constantyne thair warnit of the way

c. To have nothing to do with, to exclude (a person). a1400 Leg. S. xxi 497.
Thai agane dyspytuisly Warnand hyme witerly but wen That Symon Maguse he had ben