Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Transgres, v. Also: transgress(e. [e.m.E. transgresse (1526), transgres (Shakespeare), F. transgresser, L. transgress-, ppl. stem of transgredī.] tr. To contravene, violate, break (a command, law). 1533 Boece 51b.
Thame quhilk transgressit the lawis and faith of the immortal goddis 1562-3 Winȝet I 130/19.
To quhat effect gaif God his commandis to man geuand him terrouris of panes gif he transgressit the samin 1567 Bk. Univ. Kirk I 114.
That he transgrest the act of the kirk in marrying the divorcit adulterer 1595 St. A. Kirk S. 799.
Stevin Philp … for his unreverend speiking … hes transgressit the act … and if evir he be offencive agane [etc.] 1613 Laing MSS 129.
I knaw he wald have bein lothe to transgress my directioun 1643 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 6.
The said master … and reidars transgressing this present ordinance, salbe [etc.] 1671 Edinb. B. Rec. X 109.
Transgresse

b. To go beyond a physical boundary or moral limit imposed by an authority of some sort. 1641 Aberd. B. Rec. III 271.
The said John Stewinson obleissis him [etc.] … to keip thair merchandice … within the boundis aboue designet … and nowayes to transgres the saidis boundis 1649 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 570.
He transgresd all limits of modestie 1650 Peebles B. Rec. I 390.
The said Mariown sall … nother resort to kirk or mercate or transgresse to go abroad attowr her awin guther

c. absol. or intr. To break a law, etc., to trespass. c1536 Lynd. Compl. Bagsche 133.
Se that be ȝow be nane opprest ȝe wylbe punischit for ȝour offence … Thare is na dog that hes transgrest [etc.] 1567 G. Ball. 209.
Thair is na sanct may saif ȝour saule, Fra ȝe transgres a1578 Pitsc. II 134/22.
Ȝe aught to iudge all thame that transgres or faultis withtin my boundis 1670 Ars Quatuor Coronatorum XXIV 42.
Gif thay shall transgres … they shall be layabell to pay [etc.]