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

Observe, n. [f. Observe,v.: cf. e.m.E. (1686) an act of observing, otherwise appar. only Sc. Common in later lit. Sc.] a. An observed truth or fact; a rule or maxim gathered from experience. b. A verbal remark, a comment. c. plur. A collection of written observations or notes on some topic. 1660 Post Nubila Phoebus Pref.
The observes have … a naturall and genuine arise 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. Pref. 16.
When among my observes we mention … nighbour syrenames … it is becaus [etc.] 1672 Brown Suppl. Dict. Decis. II. 685.
The president … would not insert it … in his book he was composing of his daily observes 1680-6 Lauder Observes 3.
The last observe I made in that other litle manuscript … is anent the … pasquills that [etc.] 1680-6 Ib. 29.
The lyon … was that which was designed the Duke of York's lyon, wheiron every on made ther observe 1661-88 Id. Notices Affairs II. 457 n.
This is a continuation of the short observes I have thought fitt to make 1661-88 Ib. I. 190. 1684-9 Glamis Bk. Record 41.
I made an observe which is verie true 1687 Shields Hind Let Loose 147.
And this was a general observe that never failed that [etc.] 1691 Kirk Secr. Commonw. (1964) 320. c 1695 Cromarty Corr. I. 114.
A short observe, drawn by a freind of his, I have inclosed 1698 Fountainhall Decis. II. 27.
This week I sat in the outer-house, and so the observes are the fewer 1701 Brand Orkney & Shetl. 128 marg.
Observes on their fish trade