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

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

Respire, -spyre, v. [ME respire(n to come up to the surface to breathe (once, 1387–8), late ME (once, 1432–50; of a wind) to blow, e.m.E. to recover hope, etc. (1525), also to take breath (1590), etc., F. respirer (c1190 in Larousse), L. respirāre, f. re- and spirāre to breathe.] a. intr. To recover hope or courage; to revive. See also Respair. b. tr. To strengthen or revive (courage). —a. c1420 Wynt. iv 1588.
Sa Rome before disparyd than Respyre [C. respayr] in to gud hope began 1533 Boece 105b.
Be this way ȝoure cais and ouris respiring [L. rebus & vestris & nostris respirantibus], we may fra invasiouns of inemyis be deliuerit 1535 Stewart 22877.
Syne at the last thair spreitis did respyre —b. 1535 Stewart 17892.
Trowand he sould thame tyre, That tha mycht nocht thair spreitis to respyre