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.
Quotation dates: 1501-1550, 1614
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Mort, Moirt, a. and adv. [Cf. late ME. (15th c.) and e.m.E. mort(e dead (in general application), F. mort, fem. morte.] a. adj. Only mort battell, battell mort, battle, war, to the death. = Mortal a. 3 c. b. adv. ? Utterly, excessively: see also Mortfundyit ppl. a. —a. 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. iii. 160.
Pleasand pastance and mony lustie sport, Thair saw we als, and sum time battell mort 1535 Stewart 3758.
As we did him invaid With mort battell rycht pertlie on ȝone plane 1535 Ib. 38197.
[He] Thryis with his fa in mort battell wes tane 1535 Ib. 20290, 20413, 29008. c1550 Rolland Court of Venus ii. 272.
Of infidelis mony he did downe thring Be battell mortb. 1614 Lett. & St. P. Jas. VI 240.
Seiknes at the present makis me moirt schort, bot I sal evir rest ȝour … freynd [etc.]
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"Mort adj., adv.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/mort_adj_adv>
