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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.

Ascend, v. Also: assend, aschend. [ME. ascende, assende (late 14th c.), L. ascendere.]

1. intr. To rise or mount upwards; to climb.c1400 Troy-bk. i. 336 (ascendande wp the greces). 1456 Hay I. 6/21 (ascend in the hyest stage of hevin); II. 121/4 (vapouris that ar ascendit to thy hede). c1475 Wall. iii. 7 (ascendand to the hycht). 1513 Doug. ii. vi. 9 (to the hows hed ascendis). 1534 Bamff Chart. 65 (the poynt assendand up). 15.. Clar. i. 1104 (did on his horse assend); iii. 2394 (to the hall ascendit). 1562-3 Winȝet I. 85/27 (ascendis from the erd). a1605 Montg. Misc. P. li. 40 (in his sphere ascending vp). 1622-6 Bisset II. 280/32 (assended in heavin). 1665 Lauder Journal 9 (aschend).fig. a1500 Bernardus 52.
Tyl honowris throw festyn few ascendis 1549 Compl. 20/8.
Childir … incressis quhil thai be ascendit to the perfyit stryntht of men 15.. Clar. ii. 1937.
In historie as my awthor dois assend c1552 Lynd. Mon. 381.
Begyn at pure lawe creaturis, Ascending syne to synaturis

b. To go up to higher ground. 1458 Liber Aberbr. 103.
Fra thyne ascendand to the north … tyll ane strype 1504 Reg. Great S. 239/2.
Ascendand upwith the said swaill 1558 Prot. Bk. G. Grote 28.
Ascendand vp sowthwartlie quhill it cum to the rod 1595 Bamff Chart. 141.
Fra the said burne ascendand north as ane auld dyk lyis

c. To rise in a scale (of prices). 14.. Acts I. 312/2.
Qwhen the chalder is sauld for xl s., the galloun salbe at ij penijs. And sua ay up ascendand

2. tr. To go up into.c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 715 (ascendande thar shippes). 1513 Doug. i. vii. 2 (thai hastit quhill ascend ar thai the hill).