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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.

Succes(s, n. Also: succese, successe, sucsese, sukces. [e.m.E. success (1537), successe (a1548), F. succès (1546 in Larousse), L. successus.]

1. The outcome or result of a course of action, state of affairs, etc. 1590–1 Crim. Trials I ii 240.
The effect of his language was till knaw … what succes the melting of the pictour had tane c1590 Fowler I 69/74.
With eyes attent and bent for to behoulde The succes and the end of this greit feyght c1590 Fowler II 14/25.
My aduersar … thocht to bereaue me of my lyf, bot prased be God the successe was better 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 124/9.
Considder the difference of successe that God grantid in the mariages of the king my grandfather & me youre auin father 1603 Philotus 1310.
Gude bretherin … That of my labour hes the success seine

2. Chiefly, with qualifying adjective: The fortune attending a particular outcome of events or befalling a person in a particular situation.(a) 1568 Lyndesay Pref. (STS) 403.
Thay ar lykewise laitlie imprentit in Londoun, with lytill better succes than the vther a1578 Pitsc. I 29/1.
The message sped with sick happie succes as we haue schawin to ȝow a1578 Pitsc. I 263/6.
Fornication had ane greit pairt of thair ewill succes c1590 Fowler II 139/8.
I beliue that diusions never brought any gud success with theme 1596 Dalr. I 305/26. 1622-6 Bisset I 93/9.
Hoiping the peciabill succes and sweit tranquiltiei sall redound thairby 1646 Hamilton P. (Camden Soc.) 117.
From a tacite joy at the appearance of the bad successe of his affaires a1670 Scot Staggering State 99.
No better success had his naval army ?c1675 J. Gordon Hist. I 6.
Bishops … measuring the consequences of imposing of this leiturgye by the successe that Perth Articles … had been introduced with(b) 1596 Dalr. I 346/29.
To Scotland he restores agane … Dundie, Forfar [etc.] … with sik prosperous sukces … that [etc.]

b. A particular instance of (good) fortune; a successful outcome. 1584 Waus Corr. 307.
Gef my trawell mycht haif brocht this to ane gude succes 1625 Garden Kings 40.
The land did not inlake A good success 1628 Aberd. Council Lett. I 290.
Wishing you a gude succes 1639 Alyth Kirk S. in Sc. N. & Q. XII 59.
Solemn fast celebratit for ane good success to the next Generall Assemblie 1662 Sc. N. & Q. 2 Ser. II 64/1.
It hade not that good success was wished

3. The state of having attained a desired object or goal; also, an instance of this.(1) a1578 Pitsc. I 63/2.
Ewerie man iudgit that suddand and prosperous succes sould haue ane schort end(2) 1665 Elgin Rec. II 304.
Day of thanksgiving for the guid sucsese of our neavie 1665 Robertson Cullen Ch. Ann. 36.
[A fast kept] for the happy success of Maiesties navall forces

4. transf. An instance of enabling another to enjoy success. 1650 Glasgow Wrights Acts 5.
With prayer to God for His blissing and praise for His assistance, libertie, and succese