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

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Subvert, v. Also: -wert. P.p. also subvert. [ME and e.m.E. subuert (Wyclif, Chaucer), OF subvertir (c1120 in Larousse), L. subvertere to turn upside down; upset, overturn.]

1. To undermine (a person, his beliefs, character, etc.); to corrupt. Variously const.(1) a1400 Leg. S. i 82.
He askit Petir, quhar-for he subuertit men of that cuntre 1551 Hamilton Cat. 47.
A man that is gevin to herisie … is subvertit and synnis 1562-3 Winȝet I 61/22.
The erroneous … pleidaris quha … ithanlie labouris to subuert the sillie semple anis(2) a1538 Abell 3*b.
Carnal pepil is son subuertyt fra the fath(3) a1561 Q. Kennedy Breif Tract. (ed.) 144/17.
The gretast part of the hail vardle vas subuertit to the vickit heresy of Arrius

b. transf. In poetic contexts. c1590 Fowler I 91/134.
Nor yit that lowe my hart had ones death euer sall subwert c1590 Fowler I 154/8.
Fair eyes which … dois my saule subvert c1590 Fowler I 180/11.
I … now dois see to be bot taels and dremes That thow hes Mars and Jove him self subvert

2. To subvert, overthrow, overturn (a system of rules or beliefs). a1500 Lanc. 1641.
The most trespas is to subuert the low a1538 Abell 31b.
Thai luif buddis and rewardis and subuertis iustice 1561 Q. Kennedy Compendious Ressonyng (ed.) 159/34.
And ȝe be sua scrupulows scripturaris … ȝe will subwert oure haill fayth 1561 Q. Kennedy Compendious Ressonyng (ed.) 171/29.
Pestilent precheouris … takand na thocht to subuert the haill ordour … of Christindome 1567 Reg. Privy C. I 515. 1571 Sat. P. xxvi 159.
Sen thay misknaw thair just authoritie, … Ȝe may be law subuert thair places hie, Syne tak fra thame thair lyuis, geir, and lands 1580 Facs. Nat. MSS III lxx.
To corrupt and subuert secretly Godis true religion 1581 Hamilton Cath. Tr. 54.
Thay vsit the same as a sure and firme foundment to subuert the hereseis quhilk rais in thair dayis 1606 Glasgow Chart. I ii 272.
The mantenance of the thrie estaittis of parliament hes bene … almost subuertit, … by the indirect abolischeing of the estait of bischoppis

3. To destroy, reduce to ruins (a building or structure). a1538 Abell 73b.
Tha subuertit kirkis and townis birnt and slew quhaire thai come 1574 Reg. Privy S. VI 466/1.
The … bulwork, peir, schoir and heavin of Dundie … appeiris to be utterlie ruynit and subvertit 1632 Lithgow Trav. ii 64.
Earthquakes … often-times subuert their houses

4. ? To hesitate, ? to be unwilling (to do something). c1590 J. Stewart 9/41.
I schame the sequele so subuert to schaw, Var not I treist assuirritlie to find Ȝour royall breath vith fauor for to blaw