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.

Ernist, Ernyst, n. Also: hernyst, ernest, eirnist. [ME. ernest(e, OE. eornost.] Serious purpose or intention; earnest.(a) a1400 Leg. S. xxix. 727.
Thai … carpit sammyne Quhilis of hernyst & quhilis of gammyn ?1438 Alex. ii. 3876.
Ȝe ar our wilfull for to say Ȝour will in ernest or in play c1420 Ratis R. 1663.
This eild suld stable be alway, And lovis ernyst mar than play a1500 Henr. Fab. 20.
It is richt profitabill Amangis ernist to ming ane merie sport c1475 Wall. v. 637.
Quhar gret ernyst is in thocht, It lattis wer in the wysest wys be wrocht c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 82.
Richt hardie baith in ernist and play 1555 Carte Northberwic 70.
The said Ihone Spens sall nocht … play in mowis nor ernist quhill … Kandelmas(b) a1500 Henr. Fab. 2552.
Is this ȝour bourding in eirnist than? 1570 Sat. P. x. 364.
He did disdane all foull and fylthie word. In ony sort, outher in eirnist or bourd