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

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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Mistraist, v. Also: mys- and -trast, -trest. [Traist v.] To mistrust.

1. tr. To be suspicious of, suspect the actions or motives of, anticipate evil from (a person). a1487 Gud Wyf & D. 93.
Suppos no man will thame mystrast [: lest] 1456 Hay I. 230/17.
And he ansuerde, nocht mystraistand him c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 314.
Nectanabus in nathing him mistraistit 1551 Hamilton Cat. 41.
And suerly we suld nocht mistrest him

2. tr. To have doubts or suspicions about (a thing); to lack confidence in. Also intr. const. of and with. 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 151.
Allace! my lord, quhy is ȝour traist put in ane persoun sa unworthie, to mistraist that quhilk is haillely ȝouris? 1594 Charteris Pref. Wall. in Misc. Bann. C. III. p. 163.
Quhidder throw desyre of quyetnes or that they mistraistit thair awin strenth … is vncertaine 1596 Dalr. II. 356/5.
Mistraisting of his actioune, hame he returnes Ib. 426/8.
With al thair force mistraisting [L. viribus diffidentes] tha fled from Edinburgh to the west cuntrie with al speid

3. tr. To suspect, anticipate (something undesirable). Also absol.(1) 1456 Hay I. 176/35.
The knycht mistraistand na thing bot treuly hafand his fyaunce in the barounis sauf condyt c1475 Wall. ix. 1623.
Sotheroun mystraistyt nocht 1533 Boece x. x. 370.
Kenneth mystra[s]ting na fraude to thare postulacioun consentit(2) 1491 Reg. Episc. Glasg. II. 483.
At a part … of our cheptor doubtis and mistraistis that … we suld … compell tham to the payment 1570 Sat. P. x. 372.
Mistraisting not that ony wald vndo him(3) 1533 Boece viii. ix. 268 b.
absol. Sum ar present in Londoun to awate thé … with slauchter quhen thow mystraistis leist

4. intr. To be without trust or faith, to entertain doubts. 1567 G. Ball. 160.
At thy deith thow did mistraist And sa fell in dispair