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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.

Withstand, v. Also: with(e)stande, wythstand. P.t. withstud(e. P.p. withstude, withstand. [ME and e.m.E. wiðstonde(n (c1175), wiþþstanndenn (Orm), withstande(n (c1200), withstand (1434), OE wiþstandan, ON viðstanda.]See note at With prep. (conj.) about MS abbreviations.

1. tr.To resist, oppose, stand against a. A physical force, a military power, an army; violence; an armed attack. b. A person's will. c. An emotion, action, situation or set of circumstances.a. 1375 Barb. xii 472.
Than sall nane be knyt to fycht That may withstand ȝour mekill mycht ?1438 Alex. i 2925.
He is our all in hard assay. His straik thair may withstand nathing c1420 Wynt. v 3769.
His terroure I sall wyth-stand [C. withstande, W. agane stand], and let that he Wyth-in the kyrk sall mak entre 1513 Doug. ix iii 124.
Nowder Rutyliane fyre nor swerdis dynt May thai withstand, for all thar fors is tynt 1531 Bell. Boece (M) I 36.
King Fergus kest extreme deligence to withstand his inymijs 1600 Haddington Mem. II 208.
[He] ran … vp the bak turnepyke to the chalmer … and pressand furiouslie to enter with his drawin swordis, and being withstand be Johne Ramsay [etc.] … assalȝuet thame sa furiouslie that he entrit perforce in dispyte of thame 1643 J. M. Beale Fife Schools 147.
Everie minister in Scotland was desyrit to send out a fencible man to go to England to withstand the violence of the papistes armies that were myndit to invade us 1661 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. I 5.
I shall not know … of any maner of thing to be attempted … against his majesties persone … bot I shall lett and withstand the sameb. 1375 Barb. xv 302.
Wes nane withstud [C. withstude] his bidding Owtakyn Jhone of Lorne allane c1420 Wynt. viii 6955.
Nane durst welle wythstand [C. withestande] his will c1590 Fowler II 24/10.
They micht … easily persuadit him to their faction, if that I had not by insisting in the contrair withstand thair purposisc. a1570-86 Maitl. F. 421/60.
Propon that perfyt patroun [sc. Christ] for exempill For to withstand all wo that can inwayd Gewe Him all gloir 1572 Sat. P. xxxv 10.
Thocht sum have playit Judas pairt In selling gud Northumberland, Quhy sould the hoill … That faine wald haue that fact withstand … beir the blame? c1590 Fowler I 124/169.
None shuld the treuth with stand Bot thairto fayith and credeitt gif 1627 Aberd. Council Lett. I 259.
This toun disassented, and suspendit that act of burrowes so we think it not expedient that any suche restraint be maid … for since that mater … wes so withstude … it is meitt we follow still the same cours 1633 Aberd. Council Lett. I 386.
And siclyk to withstand the alteration of the tymber of the cruiffes to be wyder nor they ar at the present

2. intr.To resist, oppose. Also const. agane. 1375 Barb. i 456.
Quhar God helpys quhat may withstand a1400 Leg. S. xxxvi 434.
Of tholmudnes als sic wes he That [he] with-stud in na degre Agane thame that in ony thing Til hyme mysded