Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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

Fervent, a. Also: ferwent. [ME. (a 1400), and OF. fervent, L. fervens.]

1. Glowing with heat; extremely hot. Also fig. a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 215.
The thrid [steed] Peros, richt hait and richt feruent c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxvi. 63.
Hett moltin gold, … As fyreflawcht maist fervent 1513 Doug. x. v. 144.
Frawart Syrius, that fervent star brycht Ib. xii. ii. 31.
The fervent fyre of schame rysys on hie 1549 Compl. 53/24.
Ane fervent heyt that ascendis fra the sone

2. Extremely warm in feeling; passionate, zealous.(1) a1500 Henr. Orph. 449.
The fervent luf We suld have allway to the hevin abuf c1500-c1512 Dunb. viii. 36.
Withe fervent, tender, trew intencioun Ib. ix. 74.
In faith, in fervent cheretie 1513 Doug. vi. xiv. 39.
The fervent luif of his kynd native land 1533 Bell. Livy II. 153/7.
The batel was led with sa fervent cure & besines … that [etc.] 1562-3 Winȝet I. 13/13.
We speikand frelie … and in fervent zele Ib. 64/16.
Persaueand ȝour feruent diligence(2) 1558-66 Knox II. 295.
Maister Johne Wode … had schawin him self verray fervent in the caus of God a1578 Pitsc. II. 4/12.
To cause thame to be the more ferwent in his defence c1590 J. Stewart 28/489.
Ane feruent freind becums ane fremmit fo

3. Extreme in some respect; severe, violent. a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 4.
The wedder richt feruent 1513 Doug. xiii. iv. 18.
Eftir fervent slauchter of his ennymys Ib. v. 72.
Had thou sic wyll thy selvyn to submyt To fervent bargan 1535 Stewart 30255.
The fervent frost so bitter wes