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

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Subversio(u)n(e, -tio(u)n, n. Also: subvercioun, subverssioun, subversyowne. [ME and e.m.E. subuersioun (Wyclif), subvercion (1488-9), subuersion (1547), OF subversion (c1190 in Larousse), late L. subversiōn- an overthrow, f. as Subvert v.]

1. Destruction, demolition (of a place), or an instance of this.(1) 1549 Compl. 21/28.
Al dominions altris, dechaeis, ande cummis to subuersione 1549 Compl. 21/9.
Quhat sal be said of Athenes, … is it nocht in perpetual subuersione?(2) c1420 Wynt. iv 1409.
A fell subversyowne and suddayne Had hale the cyte nere ouretane 1490 Irland Mir. I 9/25.
The first subuersioune of Troye 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1503.
Thair saw I … Of Sodomes the feill subuersioun 1513 Doug. ii Prol. 4.
This dedly tragedy, Twiching of Troy the subuersioun and fall 1513 Doug. viii vii 61.
Duryng the subuertioun of Troys ryng 1553 Dundee B. Ct. II 254 (6 Oct.).
The thesaurier … to mend the brokyne callseis brokine in the tym of the subuersion of this burcht

2. In non-material applications: Overthrow, ruin.(1) 1549 Compl. 20/5.
This exempil may be applyit to the subuertions ande mutations of realmis ande dominions 1594 Charteris Wall. Pref. in Misc. Bann. C. III 168.
Quhen he enterit in combat, he was scarce able to mak his partie gude, to the greit ruine and subversioun of this commounwealth(2) 1568 Haddington Mem. II 271.
Than did he and his detestable factioun invent and ingyne our subuertioun 1570 Cal. Sc. P. III 208.
Manifest conspirators of oure murther and subvertion of our croune & auctorite a1578 Pitsc. I 31/3.
He drew … to his assistance … the Erle of Douglas and mentenit him onlie for the chancellaris subuerssioun and ruwyne(3) 1565 Reg. Privy C. I 356.
The plane subversioun of the estait of religioun 1585 Warrender P. (SHS) I 180.
What soever uther colleur be pretexed the subversioun of the religioun is intended 1638 Nat. Covenant in Facs. Nat. MSS III xcvii.
The subversion and ruine of true reformed religion 1672 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. III 102.
[Some words] tending to the subversioun of the Constitution of Parliament