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

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Interpryse, -pryise, -prise, v. [e.m.E. interprise (1601), ME. enterpryse, -prise, Enterpryse v.]

1. tr. To undertake, attempt, or venture upon, some action or work.(a) 1513 Doug. i. Prol. 77.
Sen I am compellit thé to translait, And not only of my curage … Durst interpryse syk owtrageus foly c1568 Lauder Minor P. i. 319.
This mouit thame that werk till interpryse, Quhilk montit thame on sic a prydfull wyse 1573 Sat. P. xlii. 185.
Thay that did this way inuent, And did the mater interpryse a1578 Pitsc. I. 122/11.
Be quhois … assistance he had interprysit sa heigh matteris contrair the kingis autorietie 1591 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 54.
The greitt transporting of quheitt interpryset be certane ungodlie personis 1603 Moysie 37.
The erles of Mar, Govry and thair freindis interprysed the takin of the King at Ruthuen c1650 Spalding I. 170.
Whiche vtheruayes I hope thay durst not haue haserd to interprys be thair awin strenth(b) 1587 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 34.
Ye dar not be that bald to interpryis the command gevin to you be the magistratis of the toune(c) 1568 Hosack Mary Q. of Scots 535.
Judging the same the maist commodious moyen to colour the murther interprisit 1573 Cath. Tr. 5/17.
Yet dont we nocht, bot the veray trew God … has permitted his malice to interprise this ansuer 1581 Sempill Sat. P. xliii. 121.
Few things wer done bot Mortoun interprisit them 1596 Highland P. I. 153.
Trew it is … that Johne Campbell … divisit [and] interprisit the cruell … murther

2. intr. To undertake to do something; to make an effort or attempt. 1574 Reg. Privy C. II. 384.
That Walter Turnbull … hes laitlie interprysit to big a mylne upoun a part of his Majesties landis 1570 Leslie 174.
Thay twa … interprysed courageouslie aganis the capitane and keparis [of the castle] a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 627 (L).
Thay sall nocht than the cherrie cun That wald nocht interprys Id. Sonn. xiii. 7.
In thair spheirs thay dar not interpryse For to appeir lyk planeits as they ar