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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.

Thrift, Thryf(f)t, n. [ME and e.m.E. þrift (c1305), thryft (a1310), thrift (Cursor M.), ON þrift.]

1. The fact or condition of thriving; good fortune, felicity. c1420 Ratis R. 360.
Thow … will condampnit be alsone And fra thin-furth thi thrift is done c1420 Wynt. vi 2175.
Hys thryfft he has sald all owte, Quham falshad haldis wndyrlowte c1460 Thewis Gud Women 81.
In thrift stryf ay with thi nychtboure c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 161/48.
Full weill I wist to me wald nevir cum thrift Quhill that twa monis wer sene up in the lift 1513 Doug. vi x 78.
Within this place [sc. the Elysian fields] in al plesour and thryft, Ar hail the pissance quhilk, … Slane in defens of thar kynd cuntre fell 1540 Lynd. Sat. 3209 (B).
Quhat is thy name, man, be thy thrift?

b. In the asseveration be my thrift. a1500 Henr. Fab. 2147.
I sweir thé be my thrift, I trou ȝone cadgear carll dow not me beir

2. Wealth, substance; prosperity. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 127/33.
And ȝett suppois my thrift be thyne, Gif that I die ȝour aucht within Lat nevir the soutteris have my skin c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 189/27.
Some grit gud gadderis and ay it spairis And eftir him thair cumis ȝung airis That his auld thrift settis on ane es a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 443.
Thou drank thy thrift sald and wedsett thy clais 1535 Stewart 52487.
Full mony men that wantit gude and geir, Desirit ay to se trubill and weir, Becaus thair thrift wes ay so bair and thin 1540 Lynd. Sat. 787 (B).
I neid not now to cair for thrift a1570-86 Maitland in Maitl. F. 313/33.
Sum may be … grit droncatis and spend thair thrift at wyne a1605 Montg. Flyt. 347 (T).
Threid bair be thair thrift as thow art vanthrewin! a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 888 (Wr.).
He would not want an inch his will, Even whether't did him good or ill, For thirty of his thrift a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 983.
I will not want ane inch of my will, for a span of my thrift