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

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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Prowes, Proues(s, n. Also: -es(s)e; -is, -ys; -est. [ME and e.m.E. prouesse (c1290), prow- (1297), pru- (Manning), also prosse (1422), proesce (1436), pruice (1567), prowse (1586), OF proec(c)e, -eisse, -oise, mod. F. prouesse, f. pro-, prow- = ME prow adj. (see Prow n.), and -ess.] Valour, bravery, gallantry; manly courage; active fortitude; prowess; also, honour or renown for valour, martial glory.(1) 1375 Barb. xx 240 (E).
As ȝour hart that enlumynyt wes Off all bounte and all prowes a1400 Leg. S. xxv 276.
He worth [a] mychtty mane Thru gud & prowes that he wane c1400 Troy-bk. ii 2776.
A son … That grewe to werteu & proves ?a1450 Florimond 22.
Nou luffeis men sendill for noblenes, Or ȝit for worschip or proues 1456 Hay II 154/34. c1460 Alex. (Taym.) (ed.) 1459.
For the proves of armes and chauelrie Remanit ay with the Greikis commonlie c1475 Wall. viii 1621.
Off Wallace gouernance, Off prowis … and off his worthi deid Ib. x 306.
Hym selff and Graym and Lawdir turnyt in Betwex battaillys prys prowys for to wyn 1494 Loutfut MS 38a.
And wes a man … chaissand his enemys be prowesse [Lindsay MS to provese] 1513 Doug. xi Prol. 9.
Prowes but vyce is provit lefull thyng 1513 Doug. iv Prol. 96 (Ruthv.).
Prowest 1531 Bell. Boece (M) I 180.
Ȝe haif wincust ws … be manly proves 1560 Rolland Seven S. 8649. 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 140.
He was master of a great deal of wit and singular prudence, providence, and provesse — c1420 Wynt. vii 2034.
Dedys off prowes(2) c1400 Troy-bk. ii 2225.
Quhar that Diomeid … Throw his proves richt mony slais c1420 Wynt. vi 277.
Gret gestis ar mad off hys prowes 1456 Hay II 4/20.
Throu his gude fortune and prowesse, had optenyt grete honour and glore a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 1207.
I aught as prynce him to prise for his prouese 1513 Doug. iv i 5.
The gret prowes of Ene a1570-86 Maitl. F. clxx 106.
Hectoris proves; Dunb. lxxxiv 32 (Bann.). Quhais prays and prowes cane nocht be exprest — c1460 Alex. (Taym.) (ed.) 1396.
[He] thocht … To schaw his proves anis vailȝe que vailȝe 1531 Bell. Boece I 108.
That he micht schaw his proues and manheid(3) ?1438 Alex. i 3198.
Ire … and stoutnes Summond thame to do proues c1460 Alex. (Taym.) (ed.) 3654.
He sett on Arestes to do prowes — c1420 Wynt. iv 231.
He thoucht prowes for till pruve Ib. vii 1571.
Kyng Willame … prowyd prowes … In … justyngys And mony othir knychtlyk thyngys a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 538.
He thinkis provese to preve for his paramour 1626 Garden Worthies 57.
The man that did his provess prove — a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 598.
Gif ony pressis to this place for proves to persew [etc.] 1513 Doug. ix Prol. 10.
Persew prowes Ib. xi Prol. 4.
Quharfor beyn nobillys to follow prowes swer?(4) 1375 Barb. ix 503 (C).
Schir Yngerame Vmphrevell that ves Renownit of so hye prowes That [etc.] c1420 Wynt. iv 208.
A knycht … Off prowes prowyd Ib. vi 228.
Quhen Romanys mast wes off prowes c1460 Alex. (Taym.) (ed.) 1533.
Emenedus … lord was of gret proves a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 1290.
Of pyth and of proues, peirles of prise 15.. Lichtoun Bann. MS 48a/22.
Ceis sensualite Call on thy lord most peirles of proves Off micht & power mercy and pece

b. An act of bravery; a daring feat. — 1375 Barb. xii 292 (E).
Bot quhen I mene off … the mony gret prowes That ȝe haff doyne [etc.] c1460 Alex. (Taym.) (ed.) 3856.
Comnyer … Schupe him to do ane proves or he stynt