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: 1540-1570
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Kew, n. [e.m.E. kew (1565), quew, quue, cue, q (1553), an actor's cue in a play, of uncertain origin.] a. To leirne or ken one (the) kewis how to do, how ȝe sall do (= what actions to perform, what to do, how to act in the matter). b. To keip one's kewis, to play one's part correctly, act or behave properly or well. —1540 Lynd. Sat. 494 (B).
Will ȝe gif me leif, schir, first till go to, And I sall ken ȝow the kewis how ȝe sall do [Ch. I sall leirne ȝow all kewis how to do] a1568 Bannatyne MS 139 b/15.
Vthir sum vly spewis. Bot he keipis weill his kewis Spowttis in his marrowis nek 1570 Bann. Memor. 13.
My Lord Regent said … that he wald … depend vpoun thair counsallis allanerlie, prayand thame to aduerteis him quhen he keipit nocht all his kewis
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"Kew n.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 20 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/kew>
