Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Laborynth, Laberinth, n. Also : labor-, labirinth(e, lauborynth; labor-, laberynt; (laborynthus, labor-, labyrinthus). [ME. Laborintus (Trevisa), e.m.E. labir(1548), laber-, labyrinth, L. labyrinthus and cf. 15th c. F. labyrinthe (1418, Hatz.-Darm.).]

1. The Labyrinth of Crete. c1420 Wynt. ii. 1319.
The Laberynt [W. Laborynt] thai callyd that place, The Mynotawre set in it was 1513 Doug. iii. Prol. 15.
Nyce Laborynth [R. Lauborynth], quhar Mynotawr the bull Was kepte, had nevir sa feil cahuttis and ways Ib. vi. i. 43.]
[That namekouth hows, quhilk Laborynthus [R. Labyrinthus, Sm. Laborinthus] hait 1549 Compl. 64/6.
Dedalus maid the Laborynth to keip the monstir Minotaurus c1590 J. Stewart 144/4.
Als monie vayis … As vilsum vas in Laborinthe of Creit

2. fig. a. A maze or confusion (of ideas, plots, etc.). b. A vexatious and frustrating task. a1585 Maitl. Q. lxxx. 18.
But I alace bewrapt with wo In laberinth I ly 1590 Burel Pilgr. ii. 177.
Macrobivs Qyntvs of Corinth, Quho did descend to hell, In ane mair troublus labori[n]th Not intricat him sell Nor I now 1596 Bk. Dunvegan I. 74.
Swa that it wes a laborinth to get wourd of thair fatheris buekis or wrettis 1611 Crim. Trials III. 157.
The first motives which involved the Laird of Auchindranes evill nature in the labirinth of these mischevous interprysses