Dictionaries of the Scots Language
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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†COMPESCE, Campesce, v. To repress, restrain, subdue. Obs. in Eng. since 16th cent.Sc. 1721–22 R. Wodrow Hist. Sufferings Church Scot. I. Intro. p. xx.:
Tyranny, which was compesced with very much ado.Sc. 1858–65 T. Carlyle Frederick the Great V. xviii. iii.:
Oldenburg . . . has coerced and compesced them . . . into soldierly obedience.Mearns 1721 Baron Court Bk. of Urie (S.H.S. 1892) 122:
He the said James Wise endeauouring campesce and setle them.