Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

Rathes(t, adv. [ME (Piers Plowman) and e.m.E. rathest, superl. of Rathe adv.] Soonest or most readily; (most) preferably, most of all; most particularly or earnestly. 1560–1 M. Napier Mem. J. Napier 69.
Anent the frendis … ye haid to do for me; but leiff thairfor to mak may; and the gratest rathest 1562 Cal. Sc. P. I 676.
[I would] rathest [etc.] Ib. 687.
[He concludes] to entir rathes [in your country] a1568 Scott iii 35.
Thair gud word sall rathest cause ȝow speid 1584 Cal. Sc. P. VII 250.
The cutting of of the Erll of Arrane suld have bene other as he past to the Bordouris or in his returning thairfra. Bot rathest in his returning 1589 Reg. Privy C. IV 422.
That na escheatis be disponit in favour of the offendaris, bot rathest to the personis that hes sustenit the offens 1595–6 Calderwood V 392.
To make opin incursiouns … and rathest at suche times 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 85/3.
Beginning euer rathest at him that ye loue best Ib. 129/25. c1610 Melville Mem. 309.
His majeste being the prince … that he louit … and wissit rathest to see 1644 Hume Douglas 28.
The enemie … not knowing which to pursue rathest he might the better escape Ib. 248.
He means rathest (as I think) George, now Lord Hume