A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1420-1634
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Countré, -rey, -rie, n. Also: cowntré, -rey, -rie, country. [ME. countre, -trey (e.m.E. -trie, -try), var. of Contre and Cuntre.]
1. A (or the) country.(a) c1420 Wynt. ii. 357.
Othir mony cowntre sere Tyll Egypt that tym drawyn were 1456 Hay I. 251/9.
Be custumes of the countreis that men usis commonly 1489 Brus v. 309 (E).
The folk off that countre a1500 Henr. Orph. 376 (A).
He wald ask … licence with his wyf away to pas Till his countre [1508 contree] 1531 Bell. Boece II. 297.
The countre wes more gevin to store of bestiall tban ony productioun of cornis c1552 Lynd. Mon. 1213.
In that countre of Sethis clan Discendit mony holy man 1560 Rolland Seven Sages 3257.
The burges buskit to ride In far countreis to do his merchandice a1585 Maitland Quarto MS lxviii. 16.
Quhilk makis … Thair heich renoun … Throw all countreis be blawin(b) 1558-66 Knox II. 320.
Vowes war maid, That the Hammyltonis should be doung … out of the countrey 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 10.
Because the maist part of the countrey will be glaid to se thair bairnis 1596 Dalr. I. 163/1.
Amang al the countreyes perteyneng to the Pechtis 1600-1610 Melvill 28.
He was summoned befor the Iustice-ear … and banisched the cowntrey(c) a1500 Taill of Rauf Coilȝear (1572) 325.
The King had greit knawledge the countrie to ken a1500 Ib. 410.
He vmbekest the countrie 1573 Satirical Poems xlii. 342.
From all countries Of Ingland, France, and vther partis 1600-1610 Melvill 480.
What geppes of gear our Bischopes hes bein in Scotland, … the haill cowntrie kennes
2. Attrib. with cadger, met, prene. 1584 Edinburgh Testaments XIV. 14 b.
Ane gros of countrie prenis 1624 Black Bk. Taymouth 365.
It is statute that ilk country cadger sall haive 4 d mair for ilk lipe of salt nor straingeris getis 1634 Reg. Great S. 27/1.
Pro Dernik 13 celdras hordei lie girnell-mett … , 10 celdras 9 bol. lie cuntrie-mett (vel. 8 sol. pro bolla lie cuntrie-mett)
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"Countré n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 27 Apr 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/countre>
