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

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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Ranverse, Renvers(e, v. Also: renwerse. [e.m.E. renverse (1590), re-enuerse (1610), ranverse (c1645), F. renverser, f. re- and enverser to overturn. Cf. Ramverse v., Ransverse v. and Re-inverse v.]

1. tr. To reverse; to turn back (an object); to turn (something) the other way up.Also fig. 1669 Fleming Fulfilling Scripture (1800) II iii 213.
Their darts were ranversed and turned back by the violence of the wind 1684 Law Memor. 212.
He is declared forefault, and his arms ranversed, and torn at the Crossfig. a1610 Sir J. Semple in Sempill Ballatis (1872) 249.
This world sall anes agane renverst resoome her shaples shape

2. To overturn or overthrow (a practice, usage, etc.); to throw into confusion.(a) 1521 Aberd. B. Rec. I 98.
Maister Johnne Marschell, maister of the grammer scvyll, … ranuersit his compulsatour of the Curt of Royme in all poyntis c1610 Melville Mem. (1683) 31.
Thus can God … ranverse the finest practises … of mighty rulers 1614 Melvill lviii.
Ranverseing that forme of [church] governement quhilk wes anes … establisched 1618 Proceedings Assemblie Holden at Perth in 1618 (1619) 8. a1658 Durham Comm. Rev. 548.
The power which he usurped in the world by heathen emperours being ranversed and removed 1671 McWard True Nonconf. 236.
Plainly to ranverse both the freedom of making and necessity of keeping all vowes 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. ii vi 6 (1678) 382.
Which assessors do ranverse the whole process, and ordain it to be torn out of the criminal registers(b) c1590 Fowler I 127/42.
The moveing heavinis … wonnt … in thair … course confusedlie all thingis to change, renvers, and to rebourse c1590 J. Stewart 81/30.
This bailfull bittir blast, Quhilk dois my style renwerse in disaray 1639 Drummond Wks. (1711) 216. 1651 Johnston Diary II 69.
That I was so obstinat in … attempting to renverse what was agaynst my conscience

b. To withdraw (a favour, sentence, etc.); to annul (an act of parliament). 1628 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. II 633.
He wald never … ranverse his former favour 1653 Binning Case of Conscience 52.
To ranverse the Act of Classes ?1672 M. Bruce Sermon in Edinb. Tolbooth 2.
They shall geet their letter of exclusion, depart from me, under the great seal of heaven, never to be ranversed again

3. To throw down (a person). = Revers(e v. 1. c1590 J. Stewart 14/83.
Thair ryders all in harneis drest Bot both renuerst … The one lyis slaine the vther plaine opprest