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.
Quotation dates: 1512-1593
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Afore-hand, Afoir-hand, adv. Also: efforhand, effor handis. [ME. aforehande (c 1375). See Afore prep. 2, Effor(e prep. and Hand n.]
1. In hand; at disposal. 1544 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 194.
Baith of thair commound gudis … and all wther maner of fre moné thai haue afor hand
2. Beforehand; in advance. 1512 Treasurer's Accounts IV. 380.
Ane monethis wage for him self and his servitouris efforhand 1516 Ib. V. 87.
Ilk person takand monethlye … for thair meit and drink effor handis, thrette fyve s. 1552 Stirlings of Keir 405.
Money be him pait and deliuerit afoirhand 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 27.
That we suld afoir hand opinlie … be heard 1593 Acts IV. 41/1.
That it may be vndirstand and knawne afoirhand
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"Afore-hand adv.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 12 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/afore_hand>
