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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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

Do, v. [ME. doo, do(n, OE. dón (ONhb. dóa, dóe), p.t. dyde, dede, p.p. ᵹedón.]

A. Illustration of forms.

1. Inf. and Pres. do, doe; dw, du(e; dow, dou(e. (See also Dude.)(a) a 1350 Facs. Nat. MSS. II. xix.
Do away
1375 Barb. i. 586.
Quhat is to do
1385 Rotuli Sc. II. 73/1.
To do and tak full radresse
1456 Hay I. 192/33.
I do bot my dett
a1500 Rauf C. 165.
Do as I bid thé
1499 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 77.
To do … thair lawbouris thairintill
a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 334.
Do thou nocht thus, … thou salbe brynt
1530 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 30.
We do ȝou to wit
1535 Stewart 53865.
Quhat do ȝe now?
1562-3 Winȝet II. 67/4.
Quhat sal he do to … men?
1570 Leslie 166.
Sic thingis as he went about to doo
15.. Clar. iii. 875.
Ȝour cloathes doe away
a1585 Maitl. Q. xxx. 138.
I doe knaw of gud wemen fiftein
(b) 1533 Gau 8/17.
We ma notht dw the thyng quhilk we suld dw
Ib. 8/22.
Quhat thay suld du
1561 Fam. Rose 235.
We dowt nocht bot ye will dw
1666 Aberd. B. Rec. 231.
What they due therin
(c) 1500 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 83.
Gif he dow, he sall pay ane … taxt
1554 Holyrood Chart. 294.
To dow … dywine seruice
1638 Hamilton P. 4.
I sheu the pouer your Ma[jes]ti had to dou it
1663 Wemyss Corr. 110.
I doue asheuer your Lordship

b. Inflected pres. dois, doys, doyis, does; dis; doith.(a) 1375 Barb. vi. 342.
Cowardis dois na thing swa
Ib. xi. 643.
Giff he weill dois
Ib. xvi. 620.
Now dois weill
a1400 Leg. S. xviii. 1431.
As men doys to body dede
1398 Acts I. 211/1.
That he doys nocht his office
1420 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV. 384.
Quhat thyng the forsayd … doyis
a1500 Rauf C. 86.
How that thow dois
Ib. 193.
Schir, dois glaidlie
1493 Lennox Mun. 147.
All … our saidis commissaris … doys
c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxii. 39.
I fane wald leif as vderis dois
1513 Doug. ii. vii. 124.
Heir I Drawis ȝow to witnes, and doys testify
1560 Rolland Seven S. 989.
How dois ȝour self?
a1585 Maitl. Q. lxvi. 135.
Thow dois cleirlie sie
1626 Garden Worthies 27.
Wee by tradition does't
1677 Stirlings of Keir 513.
So dis your … humble servant
(b) c1552 Lynd. Mon. 5118.
Sum doith distroy thame self
c1568 Lauder Minor P. iv. 26.
Neather virtew nor wit … Doith proffeit thame

c. Pres. pple. doand(e, doeand; dowande, -ane; doyng, doing; dowing; dwyng; dweng.(a) 1375 Barb. iii. 585.
All war doand, knycht and knawe
1392 Lennox Mun. 47.
Doande … the avcht customyt seruys
c1420 Wynt. v. 2284.
In kyrkys doand thare service
1456 Hay I. 185/28.
[To] pas throu a contree but grete scathe doand
1491 Ayr Friars Pr. Chart. 62.
Doand thair besy cure
1513 Doug. xii. viii. 26.
Doand the cairfull husbandis understand [etc.]
1551 Hamilton Cat. 23.
Ouir oft doand evil deidis
1569-73 Bann. Memor. 65.
I … doand my leasome errandis and busines
1600 Misc. Bann. C. I. 156.
Gif the rycht hand wist what the left hand was doeand
1609 Crim. Trials III. 42.
Quhat ar ȝe doand heir?
(b) a1400 Leg. S. xii. 171.
As he wes beste dowande
Ib. l. 120.
Dowand thare deit.
1474 Peebles B. Rec. 172.
He dowande and makand sic dew seruis
1557 Inverness B. Rec. I. 14.
Tha dowane thair office
(c) c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlviii. 56.
Doing all sable fro the hevynnis chace
1509 Lennox Mun. 189.
Dwyng for me, my … cyn and frendis [etc.]
1531 Bell. Boece I. 208.
Doyng iustice to his subdittis
1562-3 Winȝet II. 8/5.
Sa doing, thai had win the cause
1564 Inverness B. Rec. I. 117.
Quha beys conuict in dowyng the contrar

d. Inflected inf. don, done. a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 324.
I rede we cast ws betuene How best is to done
c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 159.
Full sore thay dred to done a violence
1535 Stewart 61.
I traist … his grace sall don rycht weill
a1568 Bann. MS. 158 b/67.
He … lyis still … as he had nocht to done
1570 Sat. P. xxi. 25.
That dolorous deid had bene to done

2. Past t. dyde, dide; dyd, did, didde; ded(e, deid; doid.(a) a1400 Leg. S. i. 398.
The falshed that Symon dyde
Ib. xxxvii. 339.
As Dacyane dewisit thai dide
c1420 Wynt. ii. 985.
He dyde vylny thare agane
Ib. iv. 1644.
Wyth mare dowt … na thai dide
c1475 Wall. i. 303.
He … Dide him to witt
Ib. iv. 104.
And so he dyde
c 1525 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I. 389.
Quhateuir my lord … dyde
(b) 1375 Barb. iv. 117.
He … heych vpon a mow it did
a1400 Leg. S. vi. 524.
Sere ferlyis that Thomas dyd
c1420 Wynt. v. 16.
Thai dyd hym that honowre
c1475 Wall. i. 158.
He … did mony hie waslage
1513 Doug. iii. viii. 139.
The smoke … that oft dyd rys
1531 Bell. Boece I. 126.
To beir witnes quhay didde maist vassalage
c1552 Lynd. Mon. 226.
I did neuer sleip on Pernaso
1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 105.
To sie how hir husband did
(c) a1400 Leg. S. Prol. 86.
How the Iouys ded vith hyme
Ib. xl. 944.
A wikit man that gret myse dede
1439 Edinb. Chart. 65.
Payand … swylk lyke annuales as thai dede
1466 Peebles B. Rec. 155.
Geif the seriandis deid nocht thair office
1562 Prot. Bk. G. Grote 48.
Quhat deid he sa lait vp
(d) 1564 Peebles B. Rec. 298.
As thai doid [elect] his fader affor
Ib. 299.
Better … nor he doid affor tyme

3. Past pple. done, don(ne, doone, doen; dune, dwne, dwyne, dwin; downe, down(ne, dowin, doun(e, dounne; doyn(e, doin; deun.(a) 1375 Barb. i. 347.
His fadyr wes done to ded
1405 James of Douglas Letter to Henry IV in Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 59.
All attemptatis done of aythir syde
c1420 Wynt. iv. 2114.
He … othir weid has on hym done
1439 Edinb. Chart. 64.
Quhat thingis … the saide Schir Robert … ledis to be done
1457 Peebles B. Rec. 122.
Qwen the curt was don
1480 Acta Conc. 74/2.
The vsurpacion … done in the takin vp of the malis
1509 Lennox Mun. 189.
For … wderys gud caws to be done to me
1535 Stewart 46834.
Thair richtis … on arbetrie wes done
c1552 Lynd. Mon. 662.
Ilk man do as he wald be done to
15.. Clar. iii. 687.
When this was donne
1583 Reg. Morton I. 137.
In respect of ȝour seruice don
1618-60 Lithgow Poet. Rem. 92.
It were well done [: tune]
1636 Dundonald Par. Rec. 408.
The quhilk day nothing was doone
1660 Johnston Diary 123.
Vryt … quhat ye vold have doen
(b) 1385 Red Bk. Grandtully I. 139*.
Al thynge … ordaynyt and dune
1539 Prot. Bk. T. Johnsoun 35.
His barnis … mycht have dune gret proffit
1549 Compl. 66/27.
Quhen this dansing vas dune
1584 Gray Lett. 12.
He cowld nocht a dune yt so well
1596 Highland P. I. 183.
We had dune our turns
1639 Misc. Hist. Soc. I. 109.
What I desire of yow to be dune
1594 Colville Lett. 262.
Al this [that] is deun against them
(c) c1420 Wynt. v. 5084.
Quhen all the lave till it is dwne
Ib. viii. 3991.
Qwhen thus his folk war dwyne doun
a 1470 Liber Aberbr. 108.
Sic wrangis dwne to the haly place
1533 Gau 102/2.
That haid beyn prid … and schw haid dwne swa
1544 Corr. M. Lorraine 110.
Nathing is dwyne
1568 Reg. Morton I. 38.
That thair suld be na thing dwin
(d) a1400 Leg. S. i. 202.
As he sad hyme, he has downe
1394 Liber Aberbr. 43.
Down and gyffyn the year befor nemmyt
c1420 Wynt. v. 4543.
Quhen this was downe
1422 Stirlings of Keir 208.
For his … gud merytis to me … downe
1482 Bk. Carlaverock II. 440.
This was downe in the presens of ane nobil … lord
1505 Dunferm. B. Rec. 151.
Quhilk was downne in wisag of the hail court
1549 Buccleuch Mun. II. 191.
For his serues dowin to ws
1557 Inverness B. Rec. I. 10.
In beleif he had downe the samin
1615 Urie Baron Ct. 15.
Ony skathe alledgit downe to the stuf
(e) 1423 15th Rep. Hist. MSS. App. viii. 33.
Quhat thyng so euer the saydis … ledis to be doun
a1500 Doug. K. Hart 456.
That wald I fayne war doun
1521 Dunferm. B. Rec. 174.
This dovnne the said Gavin sall haf licens
1545 Reg. Cupar A. II. 37.
For … gratuitis and thankis doun to ws
1558-66 Knox I. 147.
As bald men wald haif doune
1596 Dalr. I. 221/30.
Was doune throuch thair labouris
1649 Wemyss Chart. 231.
Quhaitt sall bei doune with my bodei clothes
(f) 1375 Barb. iii. 281.
Hym thocht he had doyne rycht nocht
Ib. vi. 650.
His fostir brothir … The fift has out of dawis doyn
1431 Buccleuch Mun. II. 29.
As hayfis beyn doyn … in tym gayn by
c1420 Ratis R. 1718.
He wist richt nocht quhat suld be doin
c1475 Wall. xi. 1348.
Na thing he had at suld haiff doyn him gud
1491 Dunferm. B. Rec. 37.
For hys gud seruice doyne and for to be doyne
1526 Lennox Mun. 227.
As we had doyn … in our plane parliament
1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 8.
Al other thyngis … to be doin as … tyme occurris
1577 Prot. Bk. J. Scott 38.
Ay and quhill the beir seid be doin
1619 Elgin B. Rec. II. 161.
Scho sall … confess hir falt doyne to Hew Sutherland

B. Illustration of senses.

1. tr. To perform (a specified act or deed).For further examples see also the nouns cure, dede, det, devoir(e, dewité, office, service.(a) 1405 James of Douglas Letter to Henry IV in Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 59.
The great attemptatis that yhour men dois agayn the trewis
c1420 Wynt. v. 1721.
Mony byschapys … Oysyd ilke yhere to do thare Pasce As than the Iowys maner was
1456 Hay I. 101/20.
To have rycht and resoun of him that dois wrang
c1475 Wall. x. 473.
The Bruce askyt, ‘Wilt thow do my dewys?’
1499 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 77.
To do and execute thair lawbouris thairintill
1513 Doug. xii. Prol. 292.
Behaldis how I beynge, and do reuerens
1551 Hamilton Cat. 23.
How vile … hes thow made thi self, ouir oft doand evil deidis
1562-3 Winȝet I. 104/21.
Except ȝe do repentance, ȝe sall all periss
a1585 James VI Maitl. Q. lxvii. 3.
Thocht vnrevelit can doe na ill
(b) a1400 Leg. S. i. 398.
Petir … vndide al the falshed that Symon dyde
Ib. vi. 524.
Quhen scho sene had sere ferlyis That Thomas dyd
c1420 Wynt. ii. 985.
He dyde vylny thare agayne
Ib. v. 4535.
For he dyd noucht the sacrament Wyth detfull wordys
c1420 Ratis R. 1505.
As scharp rasour thow dyd ill slycht
c1475 Wall. i. 158.
He … In armys syne did mony hie waslage
(c) c1420 Wynt. v. 922.
Quhill … mes and offerand ware all downe
Ib. 3824.
The pennans that yhe wald war dwne
1455 Edinb. Chart. 79.
We promit that thare sal be ane obit yherely done for him
a1500 Rauf C. 585.
Hes thow my bidding done, as I thé command?
c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxxviii. 1.
Done is a battell on the dragon blak
1549 Compl. 3/28.
The verteouse verkis dune be ȝour antecessouris
1596 Highland P. I. 183.
We had dune our turns in tyme against Calder

b. With indefinite object, as it, that, quhat, ocht, nocht, all, thing(is, etc.(a) 1375 Barb. i. 586.
For God wate weill quhat is to do
a1400 Leg. S. i. 576.
Quhy cesis thou That thu begouth to do richt now?
1420 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV. 384.
Haffand ferme and stabyle quhat thyng the forsayd … doyis
c1450-2 Howlat 59.
I dare do nocht on the day, but droupe as a doule
c1490 Irland Asl. MS. I. 5/2.
All he dois for thi decepcioun
c1500-c1512 Dunb. xx. 47.
Quho so dois this, sicker I ȝow asseure [etc.]
c1530-40 Stewart Maitl. F. lxxxi. 54.
Thair is ane king of kingis … Quhilk … May do and vndo all kin thingis
a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. lxxxviii. 33.
Do quhat ȝe dow, detractouris ay will deme ȝou
(b) a1400 Leg. S. xxv. 633.
Quhar has thu ben? quhat is done?
1385 Red Bk. Grandtully I. 139*.
Qwhen that wes done, I ordaynyt [etc.]
c1420 Wynt. iii. 18.
Off Goddys wyll … Is all done that I suffer nowe
Ib. vii. 1909.
Efftyre that this all thus wes dwne
1493 Lennox Mun. 147.
All [that] … our saidis commissaris … doys or ledis to be doyn
1515 Douglas Corr. 69.
And ocht hes beyne doyne by hys wrytyngis … [that it] be reversyt agane
15.. Clar. ii. 1413.
Seing that everie thing was donne aricht
c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 1028.
That salbe done, quod thay, my ladie
1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 31.
To reprove all that sould be done in that conventioun

c. In past pple. Performed completely; brought to an end; finished. To have done, to be finished.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xvii. 207.
Quhen the fyrst collet wes done
c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 1.
When this counsell was done
c1420 Wynt. vi. 588.
Be slawchtyr wes hys dayis dwne
Ib. 709.
Quhen Gregorys dayis ware all dwne
?1438 Alex. i. 3263.
Gif that thow deis, … The flour is done of all my micht
1457 Peebles B. Rec. 122.
Qwen the curt was don, the balȝeis … gayf sessyng [etc.]
a1500 Rauf C. 283.
Quhill thir wickit wedderis be done, I rid nocht ȝe fair
Ib. 573. a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 274.
Scottis lordis chiftanes he gart hald … In firmance fast quhill all the feild wes done
1549 Compl. 66/27.
Quhen this dansing vas dune
1570 Leslie 42.
The Parliament beinge done, the Lord of the Ylis returnit into his awin cuntrey
(2) 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. i. 601.
Haue done (quod scho), Schir Varius, alswyith
c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 421.
I drup with a ded luke … As with manis daill I had done for dayis of my lif
1540 Lynd. Sat. 3082.
Or he had done, he spendit half ane bow
a1500 Peblis to Play 94.
Ane spak with wourdis wonder crous: A done with ane mischance!
a1568 Bann. MS. 138 a/78.
Quhen ȝe haif done, tak hame the brok

d. To administer (law or justice); to exert (power, etc.). a1400 Leg. S. iii. 193.
Than hapnit eftir that To do law the juge sat
c1460 Thewis Wysmen 126.
Thar god thai dreid … , And euer is redy to do the law
c1475 Wall. ix. 1286.
To bruk that land thai did power and will
1531 Bell. Boece I. 208.
He past throw his realme … doyng iustice to his subdittis
a1570-86 Maitl. F. cviii. 46.
That … sic iustice be done this kynrik throw

2. Const. to (the person or thing affected by the act performed) or with dative.(a) 1375 Barb. iii. 564.
To rehers thar auld disese Dois thaim oft-sys confort and ese
c1400 Troy-bk. i. 71.
Leamedone … Me think dois till ws grete iniure
1456 Hay I. 225/15.
Sen the fader dois to the sone it that he aw to do
a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 444.
I sall preif all my pane to do hym plesance
a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 310.
Thow wes prestyt … For to be borne to do thy kin defame
1530 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III. 115.
Gif the said Johne … dois ony harm to me
1562-3 Winȝet II. 67/4.
Quhat sal he do to sillie miserable men … ?
(b) a1400 Leg. S. x. 106.
He vnhid the hill [= ill] That thai twa ded the peple till
c1420 Wynt. v. 1450.
Antone … Alway to gud men dyd honoure
c1500 Fyve Bestes 133.
To luke on him it did me sic delyte
(c) a1400 Leg. S. vi. 666.
I shall revenge sone The wrange that to myn god is done
c1420 Wynt. vi. 964.
He … qwyt thaim swa thare warysowne That wald have done hym this tresowne
1456 Hay I. 122/18.
That he sall never be quhare scathe is done to his lordis persone
a 1470 Liber Aberbr. 108.
Deyn Richart Guthre … was nocht actiue … for remeid of sic vrangis dwne to the haly place
1491 Lennox Mun. 144.
As to the trobill don to ȝung Thomas of Maxuell
1523 Carnwath Baron Ct. 9 b.
The inqueist ordanit Vill Vatsoun to pay iij s. … for the skath vas fund doun to the hous
c1550 Rolland C. Venus ii. 355.
The greit contemptioun To Venus done be his detractioun
Id. Seven S. 1179.
Ane vnfaithfull man That I lippinnit na harme suld to me done
a1570-86 Maitl. F. ci. 317.
O Lord, our syn hes done thé tene

3. a. To place or put in or on something, in a position or state; to set (with inf.).To do on brede, see Brede n.2 2 b. 1375 Barb. iv. 117.
He tuk a culter hat glowand … And heych vpon a mow it did
a1400 Leg. S. i. 626.
He wald one the croise be done With hym
Ib. xxxix. 194.
Thire bruthire thre That he in pressone gert done be
c1400 Troy-bk. i. 484.
The mekle lychtys twa That God has in-to heuen done
c1420 Wynt. v. 4948.
Put off, … leve swne, That clethyng on thi body dwne
Ib. vi. 992.
The byschapryke off Reyns swne Fell vacand, in it than wes he dwne
?1438 Alex. ii. 2749.
Quhen that disconfort is in him done, He is shent and discumfit sone
c1475 Wall. ii. 271.
His fostyr modyr … Did mylk to warme
a1500 Rauf C. 368.
It is not my counsall … To do ȝow in his gentrise
1535 Stewart 7282.
Do as he wald, he did him in his will
Ib. 46834.
Thair richtis bayth on arbetrie wes done

b. To consign or dispatch to a place or state; refl. to betake (oneself) to; to strike down. 1375 Barb. i. 347.
Then come tythandis … That his fadyr wes done to ded
c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 1456.
Anthenor … did him to the se
c1420 Wynt. vii. 762.
Saynt Thomas Done to dede, and martyryd wes
Ib. viii. 3991.
Qwhen thus his folk war dwyne down, The Erle Patryk than yhald the town
1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. i. 500.
Deid, thé addres, and do me to my graue

c. To put away, from, of, or out of. (See also Daw n.1) Do away or way, cease, desist.(1) 1375 Barb. v. 33.
He durst nocht do it [sc. the fire] away
a1400 Leg. S. xxxvi. 253.
Godis awne lam … That of this warld dois awai syn
c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 757.
Lyght That dyd awaye myrknes of nyght
c1475 Wall. v. 979.
Do away, he said, tharoff as now no mar
a1500 Rauf C. 434.
Do way, said Schir Rolland, me think thow art not wise
c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 242.
Thay drank, and did away dule
1513 Doug. iii. ix. 46.
He at the last this dreid has done away
15.. Clar. iii. 875.
Ladar, scho said, ȝour cloathes doe away
1567 G. Ball. 163.
Sanctis … war thay leuand heir, wald say, Idolateris, do way, do way
a1570-86 Maitl. F. liv. 13.
Do way, quod scho, ȝe duell to lang
(2) c1420 Wynt. v. 5790.
Thare the fwnt wes halowyd swne, The duk fra hym hys clathys has dwne
?1438 Alex. ii. 2742.
With that, … his swerd hes he fra him done
a1500 Rauf C. 930.
I do thé out of dispair, In all France is nane sa fair
15.. Clar. ii. 1225.
Clariodus … smartlie hes donne af his false visage

d. To give (one) to understand or wit. 1390 Acts I. 216/2.
It is done me til vndirstand that thare is a certane contract [etc.]
c1475 Wall. i. 103.
This mychty persone … Dide him to witt the land was all on ster
a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 811.
I forsaik noght to feght … I do thé weill for to wit
1513 Doug. xii. viii. 26.
Doand the cayrfull husbandis vnderstand The gret myscheif to cum
1530 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 30.
We do you to wit, forsamekill that [etc.]
1568 Calderwood II. 469.
I doe you to witt that one writtin copie therof … was now found [etc.]
a1578 Pitsc. I. 231/2.
Doand him to wnderstand that he had allis manful men … in Scottland

e. To cause (to do something). ?1438 Alex. ii. 2479.
Quhat tua thingis dois ȝow to dre Sorrow and pane?
Ib. 10649.
The maydinnis hes done Porrus Be brocht into chalmer Venus
15.. Clar. ii. 859.
Phebus … Doing the blossumes breke in the spray

f. With on. To refer or leave to (one) as a question or problem. a1500 Henr. Fab. 207.
Gif this wes gude fair, I do it on thame besyde
Ib. 1221.
On clerkis I do it, gif this sentence wes leill

4. intr. In subordinate clauses introduced by as, that, etc. To act in the way specified in the preceding context.(a) 1375 Barb. xx. 553.
Wes neuir man that swa For laute bar hym till his fa As heir Fabricius dois till me
a1400 Leg. S. xviii. 1431.
With erde thai cled hyre in that stede, As men doys to body dede
c1420 Wynt. i. 854.
Styles waxis wytht the mowne And wanys agayne as dois the sune
1456 Hay I. 6/14.
The quhilk … schynit sa before all otheris … as dois a grete torch be a small litill candill
Ib. 287/1.
To say … that he dauncis or syngis better na he dois
1473 Reg. Cupar A. I. 170.
Scho doand to the sade Alexander in al seruys and dewiteys as vther wald do
c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxii. 39.
I … fane wald leif as vderis dois
Ib. xlviii. 143.
Gife thow dois, hurt is thyne honesty
a1540 Freiris Berw. 541.
Our the stair se … thow ga gud speid; Gif thow dois nocht, on thy awin perrell beid
a1570-86 Arbuthnot Maitl. F. xxix. 123.
Ȝit sumtyme man I … mak my tung to ring as dois ane bell
a1570-86 Maitland Ib. clxxiii. 17.
Thoucht courttis ay hes bein chengeand as dois the mone
(b) 1375 Barb. i. 399.
Ector … wlispyt alsua as did he
c1420 Wynt. iv. 1644.
Wyth mare dowt etchapyde thai Than, na thai dide the fyrst day
1439 Edinb. Chart. 65.
Payand yerly til vs … swylk like annuales as thai dede to … Schir Robert
c1475 Wall. iv. 104.
In the Lennox he tuk purpos to ryde; And so he dyde
1564 Peebles B. Rec. 299.
The counsall … ordanis the said master to wait himself better on the bairnis nor he doid affor tyme
(c) 1375 Barb. xx. 464.
Gretar defens maid neuir sa quhoyne Agane so feill, as thai haue doyne
c1420 Wynt. vi. 1169.
I bare me noucht than As I suld hawe dwne off dete
a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 453.
I think my fredome to hald, As my eldaris of ald Has done me beforne
1511 Lennox Mun. 191.
To dispone apone my sonys maryagis syklik as I suld … haif downe
1558-66 Knox I. 147.
[They] could not bukkill other by the byrse, as bold men wold haif doune

5. intr. To act.(a) 1375 Barb. vii. 526.
He tuk avisment vith his men On quhat maner thai suld do then
Ib. xi. 643.
Giff he weill dois, let hym veill ta
?1438 Alex. ii. 286.
Quho best will do, sall haue honore
Ib. 3144.
I sall do as ȝe deim, ilk deill
1456 Hay I. 64/30.
Thou dois nocht wele tharof, for thou seis I am bot a beste and dois as a beste
c1460 Wisd. Sol. 715.
Na man may … spere quhy dois God thus in this
a1500 Rauf C. 165.
Do as I bid thé
1506 Edinb. Chart. 190.
Quhair ony … strangearis dois incontrair this our proclamatioun
1562-3 Winȝet II. 8/5.
Without al dout, sa doing, thai had win the cause
a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 781.
Cum on, … and do as we devyse
(b) a1400 Leg. S. xxxvii. 339.
As Dacyane dewisit, thai dide
c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 500.
At thar bidding they dyd so
c1420 Wynt. ii. 307.
Deucalyon dyde all hale As Pyrra gawe hym to consalle
1513 Doug. ii. vii. 57.
Syklyk dyd Rypheus
(c) a1400 Leg. S. i. 202.
As he sad hym, he has downe
c1420 Wynt. v. 5097.
He mycht have bettyr done Till do as Catowne kend hys sone
Ib. viii. 4666.
In till schort tyme so have thai dwne, That … thai assemblyd ware
c1500 Fyve Bestes 361.
Gif a kyng has said or done amis
1513 Doug. ii. ii. 94.
Wald God swa thai had done syne mony a day!

b. Const. with, for, or to (a person or thing).(1) a1400 Leg. S. Prol. 86.
Quhen scho saw hou the Iouys ded Vith hyme
1533 Gau 21/18.
Thow sal … lat hime rewl thé and dw with thé efter his plesour
1572 Maitl. Q. lxii. 63.
Lowse Lyndsay ȝit did better with the laif That tuik thair geir
1584 St. A. Kirk S. 519.
William Moreis grantis he hes hed to do carnale with Ionet Mortoun
1610 Dundonald Par. Rec. 206.
To pay … to his father … the svm of four merkis money to be doand with quhill the Sessioun be forther advysit
(2) c1536 Lynd. Compl. Bagsche 4.
In court na dog wyll do for me
1545 Wemyss Chart. II. 171.
Be hymself, his kyn, frendis, … and all vtheris that wil do for him
(3) c1552 Lynd. Mon. 662.
Ilk man do as he wald be done to
1566 Edinb. B. Deeds 228 b.
That scho may be better done to and vpbroucht fra thine furth

c. To be active or energetic. 1375 Barb. iii. 585.
For all war doand, knycht and knawe
Ib. xviii. 67.
Thai Suld hald thar fais all that day Doand
?1438 Alex. ii. 1330.
All war thai doand, baith ald and ȝoung
a1500 Henr. Fab. 2871.
Quhen scho saw thair wes bot do or de … scho forcit hir to swym
1567 G. Ball. 142.
Than suld we outher do or die

d. To fare or prosper. a1500 Rauf C. 86.
Pryse at the parting, how that thow dois
a1500 Seven S. 304.
Quhen he come hame, sone sperit he Befor all thing, how dois my tre?
1560 Rolland Seven S. 989.
How dois ȝour self? for it is lang ago Sen I ȝow saw
1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 105.
Our souerane ladie depairtit … to sie how her said husband did

6. As an auxiliary. a. With the infinitive, in the present or past tense.(1) a1400 Leg. S. vii. 204.
Do stane we Iamis
c1500-c1512 Dunb. x. 25.
All clergy do to him inclyne
(2) 1513 Doug. ii. vii. 124.
Heir I Drawis ȝow to witnes, and doys testify
c1550 Rolland C. Venus iii. 45.
Pandora sle That with hir slichtis al men dois vincous
c1552 Lynd. Mon. 225.
I do desyre of thame no supporting
a1585 Maitl. Q. lxvi. 135.
Thocht men be blind, ȝit thow dois cleirlie sie
c1590 J. Stewart 73/26.
Vith feuir new and fell, In syndrie sorts assoupit dois scho smart
(3) 1513 Doug. i. vii. 112.
The speir ourturnit in the dust did write
c1552 Lynd. Mon. 226.
I did neuer sleip on Pernaso
Ib. 294.
As thov did schaw thy heych power diuyne

b. In the infinitive, past and present pples.(1) a1500 Colk. Sow Proem 21.
Wald my lordis do se quho wold begin it
1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. i. 209.
I will … Do slaik my wraith
Ib. iii. 123.
That I with ink may do bot paper blek
Id. Æn. i. Prol. 15.
In every volume quhilk thé lyst do wryte
c1552 Lynd. Mon. 6242.
Quhen the childryng of God … Sall do appeir
c1568 Lauder Minor P. i. 99.
Meit for no werk that man wald do desyre
Ib. 103.
That will nocht do the wourd of God embrace
(2) c1500-c1512 Dunb. iv. 48.
He hes done petuously devour The noble Chaucer
Ib. xlviii. 24.
The lork hes done the mirry day proclame
1535 Stewart 25048.
Agane the fa of Christ … ane lang quhile had done wirk
15.. Clar. v. 2704.
Whan thay had done full long in armis duell
c1552 Lynd. Mon. 83.
Thoucht God … Hes done this countrie scurge
Ib. 100.
Pure buke, quhilk I have done indyte
1560 Rolland Seven S. 5716.
Hes ȝour grace done consaue The sempill wordis
1556 Lauder Off. Kings 340.
As I afore haue done discus
1570 Sat. P. xxiii. 49.
Hauing this hauld, as I haue done declair
a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. cii. 1.
Quhone I haue done considder This warldis vanite
(3) c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlviii. 49.
Grene levis doing of dew doun fleit
Ib. 56.
Doing all sable fro the hevynnis chace
1513 Doug. vi. iii. 97.
With saffron hewit frute doyng furth sprowt
15.. Clar. ii. 150.
This knicht, … doing thir wordis saine
c1568 Lauder Minor P. ii. 34.
Now mony vsis sosserie, Doand the deuylis of Hell coniure

c. With past pples. c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxii. 2.
Remembir … How that my ȝowth I [v.r. is] done forloir
c1552 Lynd. Mon. 4893.
Quhy haif thay done that blysfull band deiectit, In thare kyngdome?
1581 Burne Disput. 78 b.
Thay ar … volfis and toddis, quha … haue violentlie done brokin the dyk of the scheipfald

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"Do v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 29 Mar 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/do_v>

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