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.

Erast(e, Erest, a. Also: errast, eirest, earest. [Early ME. erest, eareste, æreste, OE. ǽrest(a.] First, earliest. 1416 Red Bk. Menteith I. 287.
Quhilk we sall gar be allowit to you in your earest custome, quhat ever it be 1442 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 8.
At the alderman do this with the eraste pennyes that may be gottyn of the comoune rentaile 1456 Hay I. 193/8.
Gif … thai twa lordis has were to mak in syndry placis, to quhilk of thaim twa suld he mak erest service? 1491 Dunferm. B. Rec. 37.
That Schir Andro Peirsone sall half the erest vacant that fallis in thair hand that plessis hym 1496 Acta Conc. II. 26.
Edward sal be payit … of the erest and redyist gudis of the next justice aire 1565 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 360.
To send to Flanderis in the errast schippis for ane barrell of pulder