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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.

Abandoun, v. Also: abandoune, -own, abandon (hab-), abondon; abaundoun, -on; abawndown, -on. [ME. abandoun, abandone (14th c.), OF. abandun-er, abandoner, f. the phrase a bandon: see Abandoun n.]

1. tr. To reduce to subjection; to subdue, overcome, conquer. 1375 Barb. iv. 391; etc.
Sua the land abandonit he, That nane durst warn to do his will c1420 Wynt. ii. 808; etc.
Thai dowtyd at hys senyhoury Suld thame abawndown halyly a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 275.
Abandonit will he noght be to berne that is borne 1513 Doug. i. i. 72.
Am I abandonyt with sa hard destany? 1533 Bell. Livy I. 168/26.
The maieste of consullis mycht nocht abandoun the instant furie of pepill 15.. Clar. iv. 601.
Scho changit hew, as scho that ay Abandonit beine with schame and dreid 1581 Sempill Sat. P. xliii. 186.
He … Abandoned the borders that na man durst rebell

b. To cause to desist. Const. of. 1533 Bell. Livy I. 175/12.
How Marcus Valerius was made dictator to abandoun the smal pepill of thare insolent dissenciouns

2. To command or control. c1475 Wall. x. 259.
Ȝondyr [is] the king, this ost abandonand Ib. 317.
The hardy Bruce ane ost abandownyt … Wpon the Scottis his men for to reskew

3. refl. To devote oneself to some task; esp. to put oneself in danger, risk oneself, fight impetuously or rashly. Also intr. 1375 Barb. iii. 48; etc.
The King him abandonyt ay To defend behind his mengȝe a1400 Leg. S. xl. 58.
He … hym abondonit ythanly In prayer, Fastyng, & in wake ?1438 Alex. i. 1992.
Emynedoun Ay behind can him abandoun Ib. 2602.
Thay of Gaderis … Abandoned thame into the ficht Ib. 3121.
He abandonit to thame sa That the tane half [of his shield] was neir in tua

b. tr. To put in risk; to venture. 1456 Hay I. 131/4.
I say nocht na he sulde … abandon all his gudis, lyf, and body to sauf the cristyn faith

4. To give up; to desert. 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 31.
Scho wald not abandoun him to thair vnmercifull mercy a1570-86 Maitl. F. clxx. 7.
God, Quhais bontie nevir dois abandoun thois That restis on him