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

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

War, Wars, adj. (adv., n.). Also: var, uar, warr, ware, wair, waur, wer(r, ver, were, weire, vere, wor(r, vor, woir, warss, warse, varse, wers(e, worss, wors(e, vors(t, worser. [ME and e.m.E. wurse n. (c1175), werse n. (c1200), wersse adj. (Orm), wors adv. (c1275), worse adj. (1297), wers adj., n., adv. (Cursor M.), warse n. (15th c.), wars adv. (c1440), OE wyrsa adj., wyrs adv., ON verre adj., verr adv.]In all uses freq. in collocation with best, bettir, euill, gude, ill, etc.

A. adj.Used as the compar. of euill, ill, etc.

1. Of persons, etc., their characteristics, actions towards others, etc.: More wicked, more cruel or harsh, more morally reprehensible (than what is being compared). Also ellipt. b. As Fader-war adj. and Townglandis war, appar. an allusion to the Fenȝeit Freir of Tungland by Dunbar, in the sense, worse than the abbot of Tungland.(a) 1375 Barb. iv 22.
It wes fer wer than tratoury For to betreys sic a persoune So nobill and off sic renoune a1400 Leg. S. vii 198.
O, ȝet this rychtwy[s] man erris & now thane before fer war is a1400 Leg. S. xxv 36.
Mene suld skere That thai ware to be il or ware & be gud ensampil se Sa gud or betyr for to be a1400 Leg. S. xl 1324.
Thu sal wyt I ame of mycht: Ver thane thu wes thé to dycht c1420 Ratis R. 1526.
In dout that syk and war than he Amang our lardis levand bee 1456 Hay II 30/29.
Quhen a knycht defendis ane othir that is … traytoure … and will nocht thole him cum to justice … he is wer na he that did the dede c1460 Thewis Wysmen 209.
Quhill were, quhill bettir, as cummys the cas, Thai are ay content of Goddis grace a1500 Henr. Fab. 2736.
O man but mercie, quhat is in thy thocht? War than ane wolf, and thow culd vnderstand a1500 Prestis of Peblis 343 (A).
Thar can be na war thing Than covatis in iustice or in king 1490 Irland Mir. II 121/11.
The werkis and operacioun of men ar gud or euill … anens the euill operacioun, part ar euill and vthir ar war 1533 Boece 618b.
Yow hes contrare me spendit mony waur wourdis, and thinkis thi self abone vthiris to be avansit 1596 Dalr. I 153/4.
Quhen worr and worr al the nobilitie began to be, and … thay command that to prisone he be led(b) c1520-c1535 Nisbet Matth. xii 45.
He gais and takis with him vii vthir spiritis werse than him self, and thai entire and duellis thare 1560 Rolland Seven S. 1635.
He purposit quhilk was wors My awin lady, on maistres to defors a1578 Pitsc. I 30/23.
Neuertheles sum men meid thame nevir to amend thair lyffis bot rather became daylie wors 1585 James VI Ess. 31.
Poets, who by verse did make The goodmen euill, and the wicked worse 1610 Misc. Hist. Soc. II 153.
Freendis & neer kinsfolks … become our ennemies or warss than ennemiesellipt. a1500 Bk. Chess 1553.
We had a tyrand king I askit than that sone he suld be deid And so he was a war come in his steid And als fast than for his deid I besocht Syne come the werst that euer mycht be wrochtb. a1570-86 Maitl. F. 235/4.
Infidele channoun and seriand vitious Townglandis war in the opinioun Sawar of discorde this cuntre vp and doun

2. Of a state, situation, circumstance, event, outcome, etc.: Less good in some fashion, less pleasant or desirable, more painful, difficult, reprehensible, etc. (than (nor) another or others). a. predic.b. attrib.predic. 1375 Barb. i 269.
Thryldome is weill wer than deid, For quhill a thryll his lyff may leid It merrys him body and banys, And dede anoyis him bot anys 1375 Barb. xiii 219.
Thai dred sa gretly then to dey That thar cowyn wes wer & wer [C. war than eir] a1508 Want of Wyse Men 39 (Ch. & M.).
This warld is ver, sa may it callit be, That want of visemen makis fulis sitt on bynkis 1543 Corr. M. Lorraine 15.
Word is cumynge to this towne that my lord governowr and the cardinall hes noht spokyn the gydder nor na guid purpos of agreance as beleef bot wer nowe nor it was afoyr(b) 1375 Barb. xiii 219 (C) (see above).
War ?1438 Alex. ii 5964.
Now dar I swere This were is war than it was ere c1475 Wall. iv 406.
This is fer war than ony payn of hell, At thus, with wrang, thir dewillis suld bruk our land a1508 Kennedy Pass. Christ 85.
Bot that wes nocht the end. The end wes war, for than banist he wes Be the angell 1513 Doug. viii vi 33.
The elde syne war and war Begouth to wolx … As in the sted of paix, the rage of wer Begouth succeid 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 170.
Efter lang commoning thai left the mater war nor thai fand the same 1584 Melvill 187.
The king takes upon him to rewll … alsweill in Chryst's spirituall kingdome as in his awin civill quhilk is maist sacrilegius and war nor papisticall 1600 Crim. Trials II 198.
It can be na war nor it is(c) c1420 Wynt. vii 3428.
Swa suddane qwalmys God on thame send, Yha, ware than ony lyvand wend, Mycht hawe fallyn be lyklynes(d) 1513 Doug. iii ii 144.
A dedly ȝeir, far wers than I kan nevin, Fell on our membris with sik infectioun Was na remeid(e) 1567 Sat. P. iii 173.
Hir duilsum deith be wars than Jesabell 1584 Melvill 194.
That the cheiff rewlars of the kirk … sould tak the authoritie … of thair calling from him [sc. the king], quhilk is pleane popish hierarchie and so mikle wars, as the Pape is a bischopeattrib. ?1438 Alex. ii 10195.
Porrvs … said … 'This sword … Sall in thy body bathit be!' Said Cassamus … 'the war end salbe thyne!' ?1438 Alex. ii 4498.
Quhill that the hand-ax schaft held hale Thay had the war part of the daill c1420 Wynt. viii 2579.
A ware dede may na man tak Than to be slayne in to the bak(b) 1522–3 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 67.
Jhone Smyth pak yow in your hous … or ellis ye sal pas in wor tyme(c) 1633 Kirkcaldy Kirk. S. in Stat. Acc. Scotl. XVIII App. 656.
The said Alison said it shall gang wair geats and that same voyage her [sc. Isobel Hay's] husband had great loss(d) 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 46.
Thinking him self in werse caise than he belevit(e) 1610 Misc. Hist. Soc. II 187.
To … permit the warss & weaker caus … to prevaile(f) c1520-c1535 Nisbet Prol. Rom. 329/29.
Men … blyndis thamme selfis, ande fallis without ceasing in to wors casis 1615 Highland P. III 189.
The erle … gave to me … exceiding gude prove of his religione, baking the same with no worss knawledge 1619 Tayler Hist. Fam. Urquhart 32.
In caise he had not pronounceit that his decreit, the men of Sutherland had been in ane worss kaice(g) c1590 Fowler I 72/145.
Loue evin so did thair remane, yea, in a worser stateellipt. a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 460.
May cum to that same end, Or ellis war, gif ony war may be 1533 Gau 82/25.
The fewer vordis ve haif the prayer is the better and the may vordis ve haiff without the hart thairapone the prayer is the varproverb. a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 776.
The mair haste, the war speid

b. Of a task: More difficult to do. c1420 Wynt. ii 87.
Bot Ynde … wes were To wyn, than eftyr hyre befere c1420 Wynt. iv 694.
Sic ane ost … Is were [W. weire] for to be gaddyrt nowe Than it was than 1494 Deidis of Armorie 39.
Bissons of Abreceaux … the mair thai be pliand thai ar war to brek 1511 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III 106.
That he may sell it … and mak monee of it for the siluer is nocht wer to gett in Orknay and Scheitland thane it is in Buchane 1567 Sempill in Sat. P. viii 25.
Wist I quhome with to flyte agane, The mater sould be war to meis

3. Of a person: Lower in status (than, na, nor something usu. already perceived as lowly), of less worth, less desirable.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xxix 481.
I had mony gud knycht For to serwe me … & now, allace! alane is sted In wer degre thane is a lad a1400 Leg. S. xxxviii 453.
The emperoure herd … Hou the matron[is] had done, & was ware na woud in hy ?1438 Alex. ii 1484.
He is war than dede that fleand deis 1456 Hay II 52/34.
Be faith men has all gude knawlage … of God … but faith man is were na nocht 1535 Stewart 49055.
So mony men of greit nobilitie Into thair lyfe … maid ane richt wratchit end … Quhat war ar tha, sen tha had nocht the wyit Thocht fals Fortoun at thame had sic dispyte a1578 Pitsc. I 175/30.
He was war nor ane theif he was ane tratour a1578 Pitsc. I 178/3.
The king thocht him so proude in his ansueris and commoning that they pairtit war freindis nor they mett(b) c1568 Lauder Minor P. i 267.
I compt thame daft, and mekill wors nor mad a1585 Polwart Flyt. 640 (H).
Wyld villane, vaine and warse [T. war] nor I haue cauld [thee] 1659-60 A. Hay Diary 115.
She gives it out that her husband is dead worse nor nothing(2) 1560 Rolland Seven S. 7574.
Scho hir self gyltie In the same cryme, ȝea, and perchance far war Howbeit it be cloikit mair quyetlie

b. Of a commodity: Not of the best quality, inferior, less good. Also applied to the manufacturing process.(a) a1400 Leg. S. xxiv 164.
Al the gold, … He gaf to pure, & his clething He gaf fore ware c1420 Bute MS 167a.
The laf of the gude mastillion and of wer bultryng sal wey a quachet and a half of gude brede 1496 Treas. Acc. I 274.
For iij elne and a half of wer tanne … iij li. x s. 1544 Soc. Ant. II 396.
The aill to viii d. the quart that is guid and the ver vi d. 1548 Ayr B. Ct. & Council Bk. 15 Oct.
The gallone of the best ayle can be brovyn to be sauld for ij s. and it that is wor to be sauld one ane lawer price 1549 Compl. 57/21.
Efter the appositione, thai schel fische dimuneuis and grouis les, and of ane var qualite 1572 Inverness Rec. I 218.
[To sell] the quart aill gude and sufficient stuff for vj d. and the war aill of minar pricis, as the cunstaris sett the samyn, nochttheles thai … sauld darrer and tuike viij d. for the quart aill ewill stuff 1587 Conv. Burghs I 267.
For ilk tun [sc. of wine] ourheid, better and war, seven scoir li. 1588 St. A. Test. II 95b.
Thre scoir rownd quheit woll … four stane war quheit woll 1623 Misc. Hist. Soc. III 277 n.
The saidis tennentis to be suorne frosteris for keipinge off the said wood on cuttit, … and giff it be found war be the aitinge off the guidis [etc.](b) c1520-c1535 Nisbet Matth. ix 16.
Naman may put a clout of boustouse clathe into an ald clething for it dois away the fulnes of the clathe and a wers breking is made c1559 Innes Rev. XVI 129.
Tua of the vors chalices 1589 Edinb. B. Rec. V 382.
That na wars meill be fund in the meddes or boddum of the sek nor is in the mowth 1625 Edinb. Test. LIII 171b.
Sex seruiotis guid & wors

c. Of persons or an aspect of their health or well-being: In poorer condition, less well. Also, to be the war (of), to be in a less favourable position or condition. Also proverb.(1) 1576 Crim. Trials I ii 54.
Sche wald neuir mend, becaus the merch of the bane was consumit, and the blude dosinit, and gif sche socht onye forder help, it wald be war with hir! 1596 Dalr. I 244/16.
Followit mairatouer a rottinnes in the intrelis, of a filthie and rottne corruptione, … he perceiuet it to grow nathing bettir bot ay wor and wor, vttirlie abiecteng al kynd of hope of ony helth 1598 Crim. Trials II 66.
He fand him seik and desyrit him to tak medicine and thinkis he wald haif bene war of his trauell(b) a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 464.
Thou spewit and kest out mony a lathly lomp … And now thy wame is wers [M. wors] than evir it was 1646 Boyd Fam. P. No. 182 (14 May).
That in cais it salhappin the said Hugh to be wars and not in so guid cais to possess the saids lands at thrie yeirs end of this present tack [etc.](2) c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 321.
Bot ay my will wes the war of womanly natur 1560 Rolland Seven S. 4577.
Ȝe ar the war To lat ȝow blude sa long that ȝe defar a1568 Bann. MS 134a/26.
Quhat garris ȝow cry me for to skar Be God ȝe sall nocht be the war a1605 Montg. Flyt. 540 (T).
Bot ay the langer that it live, The warld be the war [H. should be the warr] 1686 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Deeds II 318.
[They are to have the bearland and yards … but if they find themselves] the ware [thereof, they are to give up the same again]proverb. a1570-86 Maitl. F. 160/49.
Be thow ioleous of thy wyf scho will be the war a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 318.
He that eats while he last, will be the war while he die a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 147.
Anes wod and ay the war

d. Of a thing, freq. a building (also, once, an institution): In poorer condition; more dilapidated; damaged, harmed.(a) a1500 Henr. Fab. 2650.
I drank beneth ȝow far: Ergo, for me ȝour bruke wes neuer the war 1513 Perth Guildry 483 (18 April).
The gangand geir of the four myllis ar war now na thai war nyne ȝeris syne 1518 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 46.
Siclyk quhar thai [sc. buildings] be wor to be mendit [by him] a1538 Abell 113b.
Abbais ar in wor sted na sa for in sum of thame nocht alanerlie religion is distroyit and the place herit be abbatis … chosin fra seculaire stait [etc.] 1558 Glasgow Prot. II 59.
Gif swa beis the gavile be the wer be the saidis Cuthtbertis biggynge in that cais he amende the sammyn a1578 Pitsc. II 86/16.
The governour … layit ane seige to the castell quhilk continewit the space of iij monethis and never ane hair the war 1606 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. II 8.
Ten merkis decay of his barne quhilk wes wor at his ische nor at his entrie(b) a1585 Arbuthnot in Maitl. Q. 96/200.
Kingis for pretious thingis Dois gretest weir sustein & ȝit the geir for quhilk thay weir is not the worse a prein

B. adv. 1. As an intensifier: More severely, more harshly, etc.; even more unfavourably; to a greater extent. Also with definite article.(a) a1400 Leg. S. ix 173.
For dowt it hapyne ware to ȝow Thane to me, that is bundyne now With chenȝeis a1400 Leg. S. xxii 101.
He delt mare with ydolatry. Fore-thi mare felly be fare He punyst Cristine & the ware a1400 Leg. S. xl 1380.
That [illness] held hyme ful thre ȝere, Ay were & were in that manere, That helpe of gris gat he nane Na of charme, na of stane ?1438 Alex. ii 7632.
And thocht he mannas me on fer, That fall may I sall do him war c1420 Ratis R. 989.
Than war thé bettir hald thé still, And spend nocht thi gud all in ill. Trow weil, it mone be swa, ore vere, Fra thow be mwter at the bare 1456 Hay II 24/30.
Gif it be evill done, to gerr a knycht be misgovernyt and mysfarne throu evill governaunce, it is mekle wer done to misgoverne mony knychtis a1500 Seven S. 1593.
And ȝe ȝour sone gar de For the emprys ȝe sall faire were Than did this knycht be mekle fere 1531 Bell. Boece (M) I 244.
As the custum of tirannis is, he conquest the realme in ane evill sort, and gouernit it war ?1543–4 Corr. M. Lorraine 54.
It was far ware done to gyf our the towre of the abbay 1571 Sempill in Sat. P. xxviii 96.
Euill was it wairit and weill war I it wand(b) a1540 Misc. Bann. C. III 36.
Gif ony wald oppone to us that we are cummyn of Egipt of the ta syde quhilk oppressit the barnis of Israel, that argewis nocht us the wers tharefore 1560 Rolland Seven S. 1657.
On chance it sall far wors to happin ȝow, Nor to ane knicht, quhairof I sall tell now 1587-99 Hume 210/2.
My bony bill, of barbour language breuit, Gif thow be euill, thow will be wors repreuit 1640 Acts V 619/2.
He … tuik me aff the cuntrey to Germanie and thar vsit me vors nor ony vther cowmone soiour 1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 15.
I never saw a woman worse glid then she was (tho otherwise a weelfawored women)(c) 1545 St. P. Henry VIII V 417.
I hade ane thowsant li. [pr. £] vorst off hurt more nor ony Scottis man vithin Scotland

2. To a lesser extent, less well; less competently or skilfully. Also with definite article.(1) 1456 Hay II 153/21.
Gif he wald counsale thé to tak apon the pure peple, he lufis thé ȝit wer a1500 Seven S. 1342.
Hir modere … Sperit how plesit scho hir lord War scho said na I can record c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 176.
Wes never sugeorne wer set na one that snaill tyrit 1582 Misc. Stair Soc. I 115.
The last instrument behovit to be war writtin ane greit deill for as men growis in aige thair hand is war staiblit c1650 Spalding I 272.
Thay convenit … auchtscoir or thairby, out of the toun, and about 60 out of the oldtoun, evill armit and war hartit c1650 Spalding II 371.
He declairit … his good opinioun … of the people of Abirdene, taking thame to be war exponit nor thay war indeidproverb. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 485.
Evill win and war waired(2) 1456 Hay II 147/26.
For and thou do that, the lave sall pris thé the lesse, and lufe thé, the wer c1515 Asl. MS I 186/27.
Gif … we ar cummyn of … thaim of Egipt … luf ws nocht the were thairfor 1522–3 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 166.
With certificatioune to thame gangand incontrar tharof thar actioun in that mater and uthiris salbe the werr favourit and herd 1546 Corr. M. Lorraine 172.
I persaif his grace luffis yow the war that ye ar in ane accorde with my lorde governour a1595 Descr. Isles 440.
Not the les the ground is not the war labourit 1692 Pitcairne Assembly ii iii (1817) 33.
Give us thy best advice for thy own work, or it will go the war on(b) 1587-99 Hume 72/118.
The mair they heght, the wors to trust they be 1646 Campbell Severall Speeches (Edinb., 1646) 28.
We hope your … lordships will pardon us … and not like the worse of us

C. absol.as noun. 1. A more reprehensible, harmful, cruel, etc. action, comment or opinion.(a) a1400 Leg. S. ix 77.
As he dyd to myn fere, That he do me the sammyne or ware c1420 Wynt. vii 88.
A knyff gyve thow wald hyd … Quhill thow mycht at ese me sla A murtherere mycht do na war [C., W. mare] than sua a1500 Henr. Fab. 805.
It followis weill be ressoun naturall … Off euill cummis war, off war cummis werst of all 1490 Irland Mir. II 33/2.
For the better that the thinge be the wer is the distruccioun of it 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1392.
[Diligence:] Quha did ȝow maist kyndnes? [Chastitie:] In faith I fand bot ill and war a1570-86 Maitl. F. 344/2.
Tak tyme in tyme, and no tyme defer Quhone tyme is past ȝe may do wer(b) a1500 Lanc. 515.
As lykith yow ye may. For wers than this can nat be said for me 1581 Burne Disput. 189.
Prouoking a reddie vay to do the lyk or rather varse

b. A more unpleasant, difficult or grievous set of circumstances; a more unfavourable, cruel or unacceptable position, outcome or fate. Also proverb.(a) 1375 Barb. iii 302.
His caus ȝeid fra ill to wer 1460 Hay Alex. 1840.
Quha in thair force hes pride Oftyme it hapnis thame the war betyde c1460 Wisd. Sol. (STS) 263.
The oure-gret fyll of the mychtty man lattis hyme to slep, and changis his complexione in were a1500 Henr. Orph. 607.
Fra ill to war ale thus to hell gois doun a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 1033.
Yeld me thi bright brand … I rede thow wirk as I wise, or war thé betide 1490 Irland Mir. III 147/8.
All nouelte we suld enchew als fer as we may gudlie for it bringis gret change with it and commonly to the war a1568 Balnaves in Bann. MS 139b/111.
Quhen best is play pas hame away or dreid war eftir cum 1596 Dalr. I 78/7.
Seditiouns of new ryses agane amang thame stryueng for the supreme authoritie, and quha sulde be supreme heid, at quhat tyme it had cum to mekle warr, than was afore 1603 Moysie 15.
They ran togither; the said Willie wes strickin to the grund and died, the vther throw the thie and litle war(b) a1500 Colk. Sow i 195.
Is nocht this a nyce cais Bot ȝit a fer wers it wais 1533 Boece 524a.
We se all thing, fra nobill and gude begynnyng failȝe & dekey to the wers a1578 Pitsc. I 94/19.
The king … dreadand that throw sa proudfull ansueris that warse sould haue followit thairwpoun nor was brutit of befoir [etc.] 1582 Melvill 132.
The lawes maid for mentenance of the trew relligioun, and punisment of the enemies thairof, ar nocht put to executioun; sa that all things gaes louse, and warse lyk till ensew c1600 Medical Recipes 90a.
It is evill to bigin diuers tyngis for the mone is that tyme [in Libra] in the vorsproverb. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 582.
God send na war, quo the wyfe said quhen the kill was on fyre a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1846.
Ye will win the war, and ye wark not

2. Const. definite article: The worse end of a deal, contest or situation, a position of disadvantage, a defeat. b. To put to the war, to gain the upper hand over, to defeat, to overcome in battle. 1375 Barb. ix 160.
Thar bowmen the war had ay ?1438 Alex. i 2345.
This is weill like That all the war sall ouris be c1420 Wynt. ix 1688.
Quha had the ware … I wil nocht say a1568 Bann. MS 148a/heading.
Quod Kennedy to Dumbar. Juge in the nixt quha gat the war 15.. Wyf Awcht. 116.
And we fecht I ill gett the woir a1570-86 Balnaves in Maitl. F. 357/51.
To tig with tar syne get the war It is ewill merchandyce c1593 Misc. Spald. C. I 5.
Sir I se thair is na mair for the present bot sik man sik maister, for the quhilk sir your maiesties puir pepill has felt the uar, uith sik ane extraordinar crualtie 1598 Cal. Sc. P. XIII 231.
Vorb. c1420 Wynt. vii 648.
He counterit thaim in hy, And put thaim to the ware suthly 1535 Stewart 17802.
Becaus thair power that tyme wes impar, This Coell than wes sone put to the war; He tynt the feild, and syne wes maid to fle 1456 Hay I 271/33.
He may, be all lawis, sen he defendis him, put his falow to the wer, gif he may at all his power

3. a. Goods of inferior quality or of a lower standard. b. The less acceptable of two options or possibilities.a. 1599 Dunblane Test. III 16a.
Thrie oxin pryce of the pice the bettir to mend the war, x lib.b. 1535 Stewart 2186.
Baith thair richtis befoir ȝow I sall la, Considder syne and put the wers awa