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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.

Wort, Wirt, Wrutt, v. Also: wortt-, wyrt, vert, wrwtt-. [ME and e.m.E. wrote(n (c1200), wroote (c1440), wrutt- (1535), OE wrótan, MLG wroten, MDu. wroeten, ON róta. See also Rute v.²] Of swine. a. tr.To root up, dig (up) (ground). Also fig. b. intr.To root.a. (1) 1531 Bell. Boece II 164.
Ane swine that eitis corne, or wortis [M. (MS) worttis] othir mennes landis, sal be slane but ony redres to the awnar(b) 1578 Aberd. B. Rec. II 32.
Quhatsumewir personne apprehendand the said swyne … vertand the ertht to distroy the samen(2) 1597 James VI Dæmonol. (STS) 41/19.
What more is the reste troubled of a dead bodie, when the Deuill carryes it out of the graue … nor when … as swine wortes vppe the graues?(b) 1535–6 Dumfr. & Galloway Soc. XXXIX 62.
It is fundin amangis the nychbors of the tone that swyne ar vnlauchfull gude for ȝoung innocent barnis was gottin divers tymes in the kyrkyard wyrtand vp [the] grene gravis and deid croces therintill 1582 Burntisland B. Ct. 1 May.
The hie streittis and passagis off this burght ar wirtit and holkit wp be filthie swyne(c) 1580 Inverness Rec. I 282.
Vnlauchfull gudis, sic as sweyne quhilkis wrwttis wpe nychtbouris cornis 1580 Inverness Rec. I 282.
Sweyne quha wrutt vpe thair nychtbouris cornisfig. 1559–60 St. A. Kirk S. 14.
That odiouse beast and lechorous swyne [sc. the Pope] (quhai hais worted and ruted up the Lordes vyneyard sa far as in him was)b. 1585 Edinb. Test. XIV 225.
Ane sow quhilk wes slane worting in his ȝaird