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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.

Fait, Fate, n. Also: fayt. [ME.fait(e, fayt(e (15th c.), OF. fait. Cf. Feat.]

1. A deed of dexterity or valour; an exploit. Freq. of (arms or war).(a) 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. i. 80.
Full soberlie thair haiknayis thay assayit Efter the faitis auld and not forwayit Id. Æn. i. i. 24.
Maist expert in crafty fait of weir Ib. xi. iii. 22.
For thame that bene lost By marcyall fayt 1560 Rolland Seven S. 1960.
Heir I forsaik all faitis of men of weir Ib. 9205.
In fait of armes he hes bene vsit lang 1570 Leslie 151.
Diverse justis, … in the quhilk the king … shew himself, in justing and exercing the faittis 1585 James VI Ess. 67.
Martiall and knichtly faittis of armes 1625 Garden Kings i.
This compend of Kings, Full of thair famous facts, fair faits, or fall(b) 1531 Bell. Boece I. 27.
Ane vailyeant man, and weill provin in fatis of armis 1533 Boece vii. iv. 229.
Pansing how … thare pepill in fatis and practik of were, mycht be instructit 1558-66 Knox I. 86.
Yitt thei maid hott skarmisching, as in thair awin ground, in such fates thei ar most experte

2. An act of violence. 1549 Corr. M. Lorraine 315.
Thay twk … foir or fyf Bretonis that thay allegit wes at the samen faitt, and pwt tham in the castell

3. ? Manner of acting. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 7190.
This woman is in fassoun and fauour, … In fax, in face, in fait and in fassounis … like my awin Quene