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 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Delate, Delait, v.² Also: deleaitt. [e.m.E. delate (1528), var. of Dilate v.²]

1. tr. To extend, enlarge. 1513 Doug. vi. xiii. 85.
Quhilk ... hys empyre sal delait ... Our Garamantas 1531 Bell. Boece II. 184.
Thus … [was] the realme of Scottis deiatit to the auld marchis 1533 Boece i. ii. 35 b.
Gathele … tuk purpois to defend erare than delate the boundis of his regnne 1535 Stewart 28524.
It wes ay in his thocht For to delait his kinrik and he mocht

2. To relate or report; to enlarge upon. 1570 Leslie 260.
Eftir lang and guid deliberance, the Duik … come to the Quene and delated unto hir, that thai thocht [etc.] 1571 Warrender P. MS. 75 (2).
His soueranis … commandment, quhilk ye may delait and intend with gude language as ye see occasion 1583 Reg. Privy C. III. 599.
Finding it now verie necessar that his gude intentioun be manifested and delaited mair largely and expresly 1609 Crim. Trials III. 15.
I am this bauld to deleaitt wnto ȝour lo[rdships] the only cause quhilk maid me to braik ward 1621-40 Melville Commonpl. Bk. 38.
The vtilitie of that voyce na toung can delait