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

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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Manifest, v. Also: manefest, manifast. P.p. manifest (see Manifest a.²) and manifestit, -ed. [ME. (Chaucer) and e.m.E. many-, manifest, F. manifester, L. manifestāre.] 1. tr. To make plain, show plainly; to demonstrate, display.(a) 14.. Reg. Maj. c. 159.
Thai at the pundis takis aw … to manifest tha aueris tane befor witnes 1490 Irland Mir. I. 23/23.
All that pertenis to thar honour God schawis and manifestis to thame c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 73.
To manifest my makdome to multitude of pepill 1560 Rolland Seven S. Prol. 31.
And I … Thocht … to schaw my diligence To manifest my waik wit and ingyne 1563 Acts II. 538/2.
Certane strangearis … quha hes accordit to … manifest ane new maner of making of salt(c) 1549 Compl. 8/31.
That ane person suld nocht … resaue his corporal refectione quhil … he hed manifest realye, or ellis be certan testificatione the frutis of his laubours a1500 Henr. Fab. 2773 [see Manifest a.² 1 (2)].
Manifestit 1653 Binning Wks. (1851) 277.
The glory of the … Son of God was the more visibly manifested that [etc.]

b. To display in action (a virtue etc.); to perform, accomplish (valiant deeds). c1490 Irland Asl. MS. I. 57/10.
God schawis and manifestis his mercy and werite in hevin in hell and in erd c 1570 Sat. P. xiv. 67.
He Abrahamis faith, but feir, profest, He Dauidis mercy manifest c1590 J. Stewart II. 12/17.
Quho dyuers dochtie deids did manifest 1626 Garden Worthies 175.
For manifasting … so resolute … valour in the … aide of his soveraigne lord

2. Of things. a. To reveal, attest, evince. c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 81.
Thocht I wald lie, thy frawart phisnomy Dois manifest thy malice to all men 1582 St. A. Kirk S. 493.
For fornicatioun, as is manifestit be procreatioun of ane cheild betuix thame

b. To reveal itself, become evident. 1559–60 Soc. Ant. XI. 523.
Gif it [the alleged hiding of a chain] was than recentlie done … it wald manifest the selff to deligent seircheouris

c. reflex. To reveal oneself, show one's true character. a1578 Pitsc. II. 58/25.
To manefest ȝourselfis quhat men ȝe ar