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

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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Octave, n. Also: octaw. [Late ME. (14–15th c.) and e.m.E. octave(s, OF. octave(s (12th c.), otaves etc., L. octāva fem. sing., med. L. octavæ pl.]

1. The eighth day after a festival day, the latter being counted as the first day (so that the octave falls on the same day of the week as the festival itself).a. plur. as sing. b. Attrib. in sing., and sing.a. 14.. Acts I. 113/2.
Ilkane sal be purveyit of the harnes forsayd at the octavis of Pasch nixt for to cum 1505 (c 1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I. 103.
That we haif powar … till cheis ane officiar … to pas befoir ws on Corpus Christy day and the octauis thairof 1531 Bell. Boece II. 280.
Sone efter … the octavis of Pasche Quene Margaret and King Malcolme war spousit 15.. Reg. Soltre 213. 1597 Skene Verb. S. (ed. 2) s.v. Schireffe.b. 1500 Edinb. Hammermen in Mill Mediæv. Plays 228.
To Anysle apon Corpus Christi day and apon the octave day 1501 Ib. 1507 Ib. 231. 1555 Ib. 235.
That na maner of seruand be fund on Corpus Christi day nor in the octaue of the samyn na in na vther processiouns excepand thai be honest in thair clething

c. plur. The period of eight days following a festival day, beginning with that day. 1488 Dunferm. B. Rec. in Dunferm. Reg. Ct. 202.
The bref was proclamit wythin the octauis of the fair 1510 Reg. Privy S. I. 323/1.
Gevand thaim power to haif fre fairis … on the Rude day … to begyn and continew for the octavis thairof 1518 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 182.
The forsaidis merchandis … to mak the Haly Blud to be thair patrone and to haif the octauis of Corpus Christi to be thair procuratioun dais 1535–6 Selkirk B. Ct. MS. 209 b (24 Mar.).
Our fair, Sanct Lorens day with the octaues of the sammyn

2. sing. A week, reckoned as eight days inclusive. c 1680 (1682) Ravillac Redivivus 33.
In the octave betwixt his sentence and execution, he received … 400 dollars in private gifts

3. An octave in music. c1550-c1580 Art of Music 54.
The thrid chaptour is of the convenient and congrew according of the ferd diatessaron consonance placit betuixt the vnison and the octaw