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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.

(Ripenes,) n. Also: rype-; rip-, ryp-, rippe- and -nesse. [ME and e.m.E. ripenes (a1300), ripnes (Cursor M.). Cf. OE ripnysse (once, c1100).] a. The state of being ripe, in senses 1 and 2 of Ripe adj. b. Maturity; fullness.a. 1456 Hay II 136/4.
Ane unce weight of rasins of gude rypenes and suetenes a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 1578 (Wr.).
There suddenly The fruite for ripnes fell — 1562-3 Winȝet II 58/8.
Thair is a gret difference betuix the floure of barneage and the maturitie and rypnes of the eild 1595 Lett. Jas. VI to Eliz. 111.
That ye, quho … neuer uearied … to foruairne me of my perrell … should nou, in the uerrie heicht of rypenesse thairof, be [etc.]b. 1558-66 Knox II 371.
Evin quhen his iniquitie was cumed to full rypenes 1683 Conv. Burghs IV 41.
Rippenes 1689 Ib. 98.
Ther are severall particulars … not as yet brought to any maturity and rypnes