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.
Quotation dates: 1472, 1550-1685
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Oftin, -en, adv. and a. Also: ofen. Compar. oftner, oiftner. Superl. oftenest. [ME. (Cursor M., Manning) and e.m.E. often, extended form of Oft. Rare in Sc. (the appar. early instance cited in Oft adv. 1 (a), quot. 1405, is then perh. an editorial misreading). Cf. also Aften.] adv. Often. adj. Frequent. —adv. c1550-c1580 Art of Music 5.
Be signis and taknis oftin sein c 1685 Annandale Corr. 315.
My tears which hes wett this papper soe ofen —compar. 1472 (c 1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I. 25.
Four termis in the yeir … or oiftner 1665 Lauder Jrnl. 80.
Whiles of brass, oftner lame 1665 Ib. 90. —superl. 1600-1610 Melvill 486.
That ministerie quhilk oftenest and maist crosit the court —adj. 1652 Dumfries Kirk S. 7 Oct.
The many and often exhortationes by the minister 1653 Ib. 28 Apr.
For her oftin fals into [etc.]
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"Oftin adv., adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 7 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/oftin>
