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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.

Termigant, Tarmegant, (prop.) n. Also: termagant, termygant, tarmigant. [ME and e.m.E. ternagant (Layamon), termagannt (Manning), termagant (1570), tarmagon (1659), OF Tervagan, proper name in the Chanson de Roland.]

1. prop. n. A false god supposedly worshipped by the Saracens. b. A name for the Devil a1500 Rauf C. 850.
Gif Mahoun or Termagant may mantene my [sc. the Saracen's] micht
b. a1500 Henr. Annunc. 68.
Mak me chaist Fra Termigant that teyn is And fra his cluke that kene is

2. An overbearing or quarrelsome person; a braggart. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 153/115.
Thae tarmegantis [sc. Highlanders] with tag and tatter Full lowd in Ersche begowth to clatter
a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 532.
Nero thy nevow, Golyas thy grantsire … Termygantis temptise thé, & … Belȝebub thy full brothir will clame To be thyne air
a1585 Polwart Flyt. 780 (T).
Tarmigant, and thow vant, Ise dant thewith dinging

b. specif. An overbearing or quarrelsome woman; a shrew, virago. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 3996.
Se the consait of … This tratour theif, this tryit termigant
1560 Rolland Seven S. 8135.
Thay war sa sweit sum said thay war all sanctis Trew men thame callit als trim as termigantis

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"Termigant prop.n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 29 Mar 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/termigant>

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