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

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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

S(c)harpnes, Scherpnes, n. Also: scharpe-, s(c)hairp- and -ness(e. [ME and e.m.E. scharpnes (a1325), OE scearpnis; S(c)harp adj.]

1. Keenness of edge, or fineness of point. Also, in fig. context. a1400 Leg. S. xxxvii 317.
The scharpnes of the [supra brokine] schellis c1520-c1535 Nisbet Luke xxi 24.
Thai sal fall be scharpnes of suerde 1562-3 Winȝet II 65/20.
The venemous scharpenes of thair tethefig. 1562-3 Winȝet II 6/21.
Quhilk singular instrument [sc. this little tractate] … I hef … hard … to be … of sik scharpenes that na armour … may resist it

2. Severity, harshness; rigorous punishment. 1528 Misc. Spald. C. II 84.
Bot all schairpnes done … vpon thame salbe haldin … richtuuslie done … for the common wele of oure realme a1578 Pitsc. II 116/7.
Mr. Rwbie … wssit sic scharpnes that few was content witht him a1599 Rollock Wks. I 406.
Schairpnesse Ib.
Lenitie and meiknes suld not be dolfe, bot tempered with schairpnes

3. Acuteness. a. Of mind. b. Of vision.a. 1562-3 Winȝet II 51/7.
Na thing almaist he set him to quhilk he othir peirsit nocht be scharpenes of wit, or [etc.] a1585 Arbuthnot Maitl. Q. 140/9.
The simpill wit and schairpnes of ingyne Quhilk quhylome wes now quyte is taine awayb. 1604 James VI Tobacco (STS) 93/1.
So loath will they be to bee thought inferiour to their fellowes … in … sharpnesse of sight

4. Forthrightness or asperity of speech; outspokenness. 1535 Stewart 3648.
Rycht sone to scharpnes turnit all thir bourdis, … Rycht crabitlie he did thame all accuis a1568 Bann. MS 80a/23.
Thair tongis hes no tuiching of scherpnes 1558-66 Knox II 413.
At these wordis the former scherpnes wes cullourit Ib. 460.
At this, and the lyke scherpnes, monie offendit

5. Severity (of weather). 1583 Reg. Privy C. III 602.
For eschewing of the violence and scharpnes of a stormy wether

6. Pungency (of taste). In fig. context. 1661 Carstairs Lett. 85.
That recompence of reward will allay the shairpness of any cup wee are made to drink of heeraway