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

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Apperance, Apperans, n. Also: apperaunce, aperans, apir-, ap(p)eir-, apear(r)ance; apperence, -ens. [ME. apperance, -aunce, -ans (15th c.), alteration of apparance after Appere v. Cf. Perance.]

1. Appearance in sight or view.c1420 Wynt. v. 3122 (the comete, quhen that it makys apperens … ). 1480 Acta Conc. 57/2 (for falt of apperance in his court). 1494 Ib. 329/1 (apperance in the Justice are). 1513 Doug. ii. ii. 65 (this was fyrst apperans of skaith). a1540 Freiris Berw. 225 (that na apperance of feist be sene). 1636 Peebles B. Rec. 373 (the appeirance of the plaige). 1665 Aberd. B. Rec. 216 (that non had given appeirance).

2. Appearance in likelihood or prospect.1437 Fam. Seton I. 92 (be nan apearans). a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 868 (quhen men drawis to the deid be manly apperans). c1515 Asl. MS. I. 195/24 (apperance of ony awantage). 1552–3 Edinb. B. Rec. 177 (ony tulyeis or apperance thairof). a1570-86 Maitland M. Fol. cviii. 33 (nane apperance of releiff). 1610 Crim. Trials III. 93 (hoip and appeirance of successioun). 1637 Baillie I. (ther is apeirance we will … ).

b. Be apperans, seemingly, in appearance.1456 Hay I. 110/33 (thir ressounis be apperance ar gude). a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 143 (scho be apperance hard Cupide … ). c1515 Asl. MS. I. 240/18 (the king tuke wele with him be apperans). 1560 Rolland Seven S. 212/26 (that wife was be apperance temptit with the deuil). 1558-66 Knox II. 409 (meik naturis be appeirance).

3. Apparent form; aspect.c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxv. 12 (the dirk apperance of astronomie). a1578 Pitsc. I. 24/25 (ane ȝoung man of singular guid appeirance).

4. Opinion, view.c1450-2 Howlat 269 (the Prelatis thar apperans proponit generale). 1562-3 Winȝet II. 15/16 (I notit my apperence in the margin). 1576 Waus Corr. I. 123 (ye will writ me your avis and apperance).