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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.

Cumpany, -anie, n. Also: -anye, -ané (pl. -aneis), cwmpany(e. [ME. cumpany, -panye (14th c.), -paignye (c 1300), OF. cumpaignie, variant of compaignie Company n.]

1. A number of persons assembled together or attendant on a leader. Cf. Company n. 1. 1375 Barb. x. 221.
Bwnnok, with the cumpany That in his wayn closit he had
Ib. xviii. 74.
Ye may weill ga To ficht with yon gret cumpany
c1420 Wynt. ii. 782.
Thare schyppys he fand thretty Wytht off Spaynalys a cumpany
Ib. vii. 1396.
The Kyng rycht manlyly Swne skalyd all that cumpany
?1438 Alex. i. 1622.
Ane battell of Nuby, Seuin thousand in ane cumpany
a1500 Rauf C. 776.
Sexty squyaris of fee, Of his retinew to be; That was ane fair cumpany
c1475 Wall. iii. 66.
Wytt yhe thai war a full glaid cumpanye
Ib. vii. 358.
Na Scottis man is in that cumpane
1513 Doug. i. viii. 23.
Cumpaneis grete … of armyt men
Ib. ii. vi. 68.
Sum cumpanyis … Walkis wachand in rewis
1533 Bell. Livy I. 261/19.
He come be aventure on ane cumpanye of ȝoung vndantit men
c1552 Lynd. Mon. 889.
That most vnhappy cumpanye Att father Adam had inuye
a1578 Pitsc. II. 270/16.
The maister of Forbus … marchit fordward with ane small cumpany
1596 Dalr. I. 77 marg.
Metellius … sendis cumpanis of men of weir to help the Scottis
1602 Conv. Burghs II. 138.
The cumpany [is] to serwe … this new in-sett skipper for the samyn hyre
1624 Peebles B. Rec. 365.
He said … that they war ane cumpanie of gredie gormawis

b. With possessive pronouns (or nouns). 1375 Barb. v. 287.
In a chalmer preualy He held him and his cumpany
c1420 Wynt. iii. 743.
He buskyt hym rycht honestly, And welle arayid his cumpany
Ib. viii. 4675.
The wychtast men That ware in all thare cumpany
?1438 Alex. i. 1371.
Thir tua, with all thair cumpany, Socht on thair fais … sturdely
1548 Reg. Cupar A. II. 55.
Thai … sall furnis tuay furnist speris to the Quenis weris … in our cumpanye
1558-66 Knox II. 321.
The Erles of Huntley and Morray … cam with thair cumpanyes, send fra the Quene to stay that tumult
1569-73 Bann. Memor. 122.
This day the Regentis grace, with his cumpany, come to the Cannogait
1588 Reg. Privy C. IV. 315.
Lieutenants, cornettis, and utheris memberis of thair cumpanyes
1596 Dalr. II. 272/25.
Of the Gouernouris cumpanie verie few war a missing

c. Without article: Number (of persons). 1375 Barb. ix. 544.
Schir Amery … Raid till Yngland, and purchast ther Of armyt men grit cumpany
c1420 Wynt. vii. 1169.
Malcolm … than gert he Be throwch the land traweland … With honest curt and cumpany

d. Companions or associates. In cumpany, in society. 1375 Barb. I. 390.
He wes lufly, And meyk and sweyt in cumpany
c1460 Thewis Wysmen 98.
He … haldis hyme with gud cumpany
Ib. 324.
Thai here ill consaill radely, And drawis thaim till ill cumpany
c1500-c1512 Dunb. ix. 1137.
I schryve me of all cursit cumpany
Ib. xx. 13.
In cumpany cheis honorable feiris
Ib. 28.
Sic art thow callit as is thy cumpany
a1540 Freiris Berwik 123.
Scho wald haif none vder cumpany
c1552 Lynd. Mon. 3490.
Off cumpanye he had no mo, Except his lustye douchteris two
1562-3 Winȝet I. 16.
Ane faithful man … wantand cumpanie to cominunicat with him
a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. cxiii. 1.
Pastyme with godlie cwmpanye Now in this warld is best for me

2. Association with others; companionship, society. In cumpany, together; along with one. 1375 Barb. i. 85.
The King off Ingland Held swylk freyndschip and cumpany To thar King
a1400 Leg. S. xxvii. 464.
I wil lewe be na wyse Thi cumpany na thi seruice
c1420 Wynt. iv. 2040.
The Duche-men and thai of Cymbry Togyddyr knyt in cumpany
Ib. v. 5174.
Schyppyng thare he gat redy, Wyth hym ane hundyr in cumpany
?1438 Alex. i. 3221.
Now may he weill mak cumpany Of him and Fe.rrand
c1420 Ratis R. 437.
It lovis licht and cumpany Of ilke gud man & worthy
a1500 Henr. Fab. 1356.
I was fane Of that couth word, and of his cumpanie
1492 Myll Spect. 292/23.
At thai cum nocht opynly in the cumpanye of the peple but amangis thaim self
c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxiii. 18.
With famows folkis hald thy cumpany
Ib. xxv. 15.
But cumpany of lordis and knychtis
1513 Doug. ii. xi. 55.
Lytil Iulus sal beir me cumpany
1544 Reg. Privy S. III. 117/2.
William, Erle of Glenkarne, cumand in cumpane with hym … in arrayit batail
1581 Sat. P. xliv. 319.
Moyses forbad ȝou to giue the nichbouris vyf To the vnlauchful husbandis cumpanie
1596 Dalr. II. 31/26.
Lyke wylde hartis … quilkes … flie the cumpanie or syght of men

3. A number or collection (of things). 16.. Hist. Kennedy 47.
At the fut of the bog thair wes ane cumpany of feall dykis

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"Cumpany n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 28 Mar 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/cumpany_n>

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