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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.

Curs, Cursse, v. [ME. curse(n, OE. cursian.]

1. tr. To put under an ecclesiastical curse; to anathematize, excommunicate. c1420 Wynt. v. 5778.
This secund Gregore Pape … Cursyd than hym solemply Ib. vii. 2281. 1456 Hay I. 22/13.
The pape Sanct Gregore the secound blewe his horne wele quhen he cursit the Emperour Lyoun Ib. 238/29.
Thair bischop may lefully curs all sik men quhill thai cum till amendement 1535 Stewart 45199.
To curs and widdill, warie and condame, Bayth ill and gude c1552 Lynd. Mon. 4654.
Gyf ane preist happinnis to marye, Thay do hym baneis, cursse, and warye 1567 G. Ball. 176.
To curs and ban the sempill pure man, That had nocht to fle the paine a1578 Pitsc. II. 63/24.
The bischope of Breichin curssit thé, and deliuerit thé in the devillis handsabsol. 1456 Hay I. 32/8.
The key of jurisdictioun may curs fra warldly commonyng that na man commoun c1515 Asl. MS. I. 220/22.
Bischope James Kennedy cursit solempnitlie with myter & staf, buke & candill

b. In p.p. Placed under an ecclesiastical or divine curse.(1) c1420 Wynt. vi. 49.
He … deyd curst in that errure Ib. vii. 3022.
He gert cursyd denwns all tha 1546 Corr. M. Lorraine 162.
Oliver his wyffe and he lyis cursit and aggregit 1622-6 Bisset I. 57/9.
He that perseveiris in contemptioun aganis the kirk, … continewand cursit … ane ȝeir(2) 1456 Hay I. 32.
Suppose he [the Pope] curs him … , he is nocht cursit to Godwart c1460 Thewis Gud Women 294.
Thai ar al cursyt be Godis law a1500 Henr. III. 144/50.
Bakbyttaris … ar planlie curst in everie place c1515 Asl. MS. I. 300/29.
Caym cursit [and] dampnit figuris [the] Iowis warijt and condampnit c1500 Rowll Cursing 33.
Now cursit and wareit be thair werd 1549 Compl. 24/4.
Thou sal be cursit on the feildis, thou sal be cursit in the cite 1567 G. Ball. 3.
Cursit ar thay that continewis not in all the wordis of the Law

2. To imprecate evil upon; to execrate. c1475 Wall. iii. 404.
Towart the toune thai drew … Cursand the pes thai tuk befor Ib. viii. 320. c1500-c1512 Dunb. xiii. 41.
Sum sanis the sait, and sum thame cursis Ib. xxxiii. 127.
Sensyne I curs that cankerit rowte, quhair evir I go or ryde 1531 Bell. Boece I. 283.
Thay began to curs and wary thaim that gaif counsall to fecht 1558 Q. Kennedy Tractive 152.
The miserable ignorant … sall curs the tyme that evir he tuke on hym the charge

3. intr. To utter curses or imprecations. a1578 Pitsc. I. 146/29.
Thair gaderit ane wnnumerabill mulltitud of pepill about hir, and spetiall of wemen, curssand and warieand