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.
Quotation dates: 1514-1591
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Dilate, v.2 Also: di-, dylat. [ME. dilate (1430), dylate OF. dilater, L. dīlātāre. Cf. Delate v.2]
1. tr. To expand, extend, make larger.(a) 1514 Cart. S. Nich. Aberd. 350.
Licence … to dilate and extend Sanct Sebastianis ill [= aisle] 1533 Bell. Livy I. 26/2.
The Romanis … dilating the boundis of thare toun 1533 Ib. 77/20.
Ancus dilatit his ciete to mont Aventyne 1562-3 Winȝet II. 53/34.
The sailis of thair proud consait, … quhilkis vickitlie thai had dilatit to the windis of noueltie 1581 Burne Disput. 120.
His impyre … sal neuer decay, bot … dilat it self continualie
2. To enlarge upon; to relate or recount. c1515 Asloan MS I. 329/27.
I dylat nocht … the blissit legendis of haly sanctis lyfis 1549 Complaynte of Scotland 7/1.
Quhat … mater that var maist necessair ande honest to be dilatit 1562-3 Winȝet II. 20/20.
Thir thingis … be exemplis … ar to be illustrate, and a litle mair largelie to be dilatit 1591 Warrender P. II. 170.
Ye shall dilate and amplifie everie ane of thir foirsaid heades
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"Dilate v.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/dilate_v_2>
