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 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Destroy, v. Also: destruy. [ME. destroye (14th c.), earlier destruyen, OF. destruire. See also Distroy v.] tr. To destroy, demolish, undo; to bring to death or ruin. 1375 Barb. i. 533.
Alexander the conqueroure … Wes syne destroyit throw pwsoune 1397 Acts I. 208/1.
Ilke schiref sal tak diligent enquerrez gif ony ... destruys or has destruyt the kingis legis with herischippis [etc.] c1420 Wynt. ii. 1431.
Mony landys thai destroyit Ib. viii. 6434.
Off lywand men The thryd part it destroyid then 1447 Reg. Great S. 106/2.
Gif it hapin common wer of Inglismen and the said landis be destroit 1456 Hay I. 39/8.
That the Grekis … destroyit … all the toun clerely be a sege Ib. 58/8.
Sa … thai war discomfyte, and all that ost destroyit a1500 Bernardus 27.
Foly expens but temporance is noy, And of his hous the stat it may destroy 1560 Rolland Seven S. 5326.
Sall we thairfoir be all destroyit at anis? 1558-66 Knox II. 167.
That all place and monumentis of ydolatrie suld be destroyit 1578 Inverness B. Rec. I. 261.
Sweyne and vther beistis … hes destroyit four beddis young plantis … , quhilkis ar all eittin, destroit and spilt be the sweyne a1585 Maitl. Q. lxv. 181.
O lat that licht destroy the drerie nicht