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: 1375-1599
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Avenand, a. Also: au-, awenand(e, aveinand, avinnand, avynand; av-, awenant, auynant. [Northern ME. avenand, variant (after participles in -and) of avenant, -aunt, OF. avenant, pres. p. of avenir to arrive, befit.]
1. Suitable, convenient, appropriate, agreeable. 1375 Barb. iii. 41.
Tharfor me thynk maist awenand To withdraw ws a1400 Legends of the Saints xxx. 238.
Sen the tyme is nov auenande, I wil tel thé a thing c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 736.
He … so to Gregeois … The tokene gave, was awenande c1420 Wynt. iv. 1989.
The land … Wes that tyme … Till nane honowre awenand ?1438 Alex. ii. 1559.
I se the enchesoun apperand, And the tyme is richt auenand 1456 Hay II. 122/35.
First … ete of the metis that ar maist gaynand and avenand for thy nature c1515 Asloan MS I. 181/24.
Larges … is sa curtase and awenand that it … proffettis all vtheris
2. Of persons: Handsome, comely; pleasant in appearance or manners. 1375 Barb. xvii. 218.
Valter, steward of Scotland, That than ves ȝoung and avenand a1400 Legends of the Saints xxi. 106.
Hir husband, That ȝunge man was & awenand a1400 Ib. xxxiii. 111.
Scho wes ȝoung, auenand, & fare c1420 Wynt. iv. 2272.
That kyng, Awenand, honest, fayre, and yhing c1420 Ib. v. 2957; etc.
Yhong damysellys and awenand ?1438 Alex. ii. 671.
He is wyse, courtes, and cunnand, ȝoung, fare, swete and auenand ?1438 Ib. 2580.
Debonare, sueit and auenand c1450-2 Howlat 350.
As feris for a persewant, … active and awenant c1450-2 Ib. 653.
With alkyn officeris … awenand and able a1500 Golagros and Gawane 339.
Schir Gauane the gay, … And auenand schir Ewin 15.. Clariodus i. 362.
Earle Estour avenand 15.. Ib. iv. 1548.
Ten knightis aveinand
b. Of things: Attractive, agreeable, handsome. c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 310.
Twenty thousand Of markes of gold awenande c1400 Ib. 1576.
That he had gart ane cite stable In to so awenand place 15.. Clariodus v. 2447.
Aught goldin chainȝeis avenant
3. As n. A comely or courtly person. a1500 Golagros and Gawane 648.
Thus endit the auynantis with mekil honour
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"Avenand adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 17 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/avenand>
