Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

Constrain(e, Constrane, v. Also: constrayne. [e.m.E. constrain(e, ME. constrayn(e, constreyne (14th c.), OF. constraign-, constreign-, stem of constreindre, L. constringere. Used under Engl. influence in place of the earlier Constrene, Constrenȝe.] tr. To compel, force.(a) 1558-66 Knox II. 172.
Youre Mother … keipit that realme in quyetnes, till scho begane to constraine menis consciences 1567 G. Ball. 8.
Except ane iuge do ȝow constraine To testifie the veritie 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 30.
Thay could nowther … diminishe hir authoritie nor constrayne hir to mary 1596 Dalr. I. 27/14.
That necessitie constrayne thame nocht Ib. II. 11/6.
The Scot nocht being constraint(b) 1533 Bell. Livy II. 88/1 (B).
That ȝe constrane the consullis to create ane dictator Ib. 88/12. c1552 Lynd. Mon. 1770.
Thay wer constranit … Frome thyne depart, and beild no more Ib. 3175.
Scho constranit wes to flee 1560 Rolland Seven S. 4888.
Thay war constranit … To eird him quick Ib. 6001. 1568 Buch. Indict. 36.
The King … wes constranit to pas agane to the vest cuntrie a1578 Pitsc. I. 156/11.
Scho was constranit to pas in ane fischaris bot a1605 Montg. Misc. P. x. 38.
As constancie did them constrane