A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1552-1625
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Impire, Impyre, v. Also: impyire, (inpyre). [f. Impiren. Cf. Empire v.1 Common in the later 16th c.]
1. intr. To govern, reign, rule, as an emperor or sovereign. a. With over or above (abone). b. absol.a. c1552 Lynd. Mon. 4262.
The potent Pope of Rome, Impyrand [v.r. In-] ouir all christindome c1552 Ib. 4394. 1558-66 Knox II. 447.
That nane of that race wes left efter to impyre above the peopill of God a1578 Pitsc. I. 32/1.
It becummeth ane prince to leiwe frielie impyreing abone vtheris 1584 in Calderwood IV. 30.
That suche a few number of base degree … sould impyre, as it were, above the whole countrie 1619 Garden Elphinstoun 2375.
A prince, … Impyring … above A people that … Can not comport to rest at homeb. 1560 in Knox II. 85.
Quhen idolatrie was menteynit … quhen creuell straingearis did impyre 1571 Bann. Memor. 166.
[Mary,] being borne to impyre, and from hir cradle-birth brocht vp in commanding 1581 Hamilton Cath. Tr. 79/2.
Quha nather be Goddis nor mannis lau could iustlie impyre in ony … cuntrie 1625 Garden Kings 6.
Whill he impires, his people peace possest
2. To rule, weild authority (espec. tyrannically); to domineer, tyrannize.a. 1561 Bk. Univ. Kirk I. 9.
That they wald … tak upoun thame to impyre above our conscience 1558-66 Knox I. 441.
Whether scho … awght to be sufferred so tyrrannouslie to impyre above tham 1571 in Calderwood III. 145.
Tyrannicallie so to impyre above the poore flocke 1584 Ib. IV. 238.
How they will breake their promise and impyre above the Kirkb. 1610 in Calderwood VII. 144.
Not … seeking concent, but impyring and commanding
3. fig. Of desires, passions, and the like: To hold sway, to prevail.a. 1559–60 Cotton MSS. Cal. B. ix.
Seeing ambition has sa impyrit ower their reason 1613 Forbes Comm. Revel. (1614) 110 (J).
He [sc. the Devil] further will impire ouer the conscienceb. 1570 Bann. Trans. 82.
That eather flesch and bloud impyred in me, in rebuking his manifest impietie c1590 J. Stewart 53/15.
Luifis feruent fyre So brint … That nether vit nor pouer mycht impyre a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xiii. 10.
Except that fervent fyre Of burning love impyre
4. ? To mount, soar. a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 181 (Wr.).
To flee I was so fond, Desiring, impyring a1605 Id. Sonn. xxxi. 5.
Aboue the planetis to impyre
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"Impire v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/impire_v>
