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

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Ut(t)er, v. Also: utir, wtter. P.t. also utart, out(t)ered. P.p. also utrid, uttiret. [Late ME and e.m.E. vtter (?a1400), outer (?c1400), outre (1423), uttre (Lydgate). Cf. MDu. uteren, MLG üter(e)n. Cf. also Outer v.¹ which may belong here.] tr.

1. a. To give utterance to, speak aloud; write (a speech, declaration, etc.). b. To give expression to; to describe, explain (feelings, a state of affairs, etc.). c. To disclose, reveal, make known (information; a state of affairs, etc.). Also reflex.a. pres. 1596 Melvill 514.
To utir any slanderous speiches to the disdain, contempt, and reproche of usp.t. 1600–1 State P. (Reg. H.) No. 108/10 4.
Giff they … vterit or hard ony onreverent speches gevin to his maiestie 1609 Crim. Trials II 577.
Nochtwithstanding quhatsoevir schew of discontentment we vterit aganis Puritanis 1600-1610 Melvill 542.
The king being angrie, utterit sume minassing words(b) 1651 Glasgow B. Rec. II 203.
The proveist … outered severall siklyk speichesp.p. c1590 Fowler II 26/5.
I mene not (gentle reders) to offend [etc.] … quhose eares I am assured dois glow and haertis alreddy greuin at that quhilk I haue vterit 1611-57 Mure Dido & Æneas ii 832.
Her latest words scarce heard, nor vtt'red right 1628 Dundonald Par. Rec. 247.
Anent the menassing of John Legat … vttered be John Neil 1631 Justiciary Cases I 166.
It is duplyit be the pannell that the former allegeance uttiret be him standis relevant nochtuithstanding of the persewaris anserb. c1409-1436 Kingis Q. § 132.
Be … diligent hir merci to procure, Noght onely in thy word, for word is noght, Bot gif thy werk and all thy besy cure Accord thereto; and vtrid be mesure 1560 Cal. Sc. P. I 531.
[The great kindness you have at all times] utrid in effectis [to this realm] 1606 Rollock's Thess. Dedic.
What affection and kyndnesse ye haue uttered and daily utters towardes his relict and postume 1611-57 Mure Early Misc. P. xvii 6.
Ane tragick tokin of a mourning mynd, Quhich fain wold wtter … Thir latest dutyes of a dulefull hert 1622-6 Bisset I 77/19.
Fictionis uttered be … maid up counterfait and fraising langaige(b) 1600-1610 Melvill 370.
Mr. Andro … outtered the commission as from the mightie God, calling the king bot ‘God’s sillie vassall'c. c1520-c1535 Nisbet John xii 50 marg.
Christ speikis nocht heir of the law or commandement that vteris synne c1520-c1535 Nisbet Prol. Rom. 338/22.
Nor yit knew we the wraith of Gode vpon synnaris vntill the law hade vtered it 15.. Clar. iii 323.
The constabill utart everie thing at richt, Wha wan the feild, and quha was put to flicht 1568 Hosack Mary Q. of Scots I 540.
It was offerit that … the avower suld vtter his name 1570 6th Rep. Hist. MSS App. 647/1.
Thir dettis befor nominat ar knawin for the present, bot thar be ma unknawin, quhilk tyme will utter c1590 Fowler II 45/8.
This propositioun dois vtter thy shameles ignorancereflex. 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 183.
[In Exod. xxxiv 6] he uttereth himselfe to be a God of great compassion 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 283.
In so many good effects as God uttereth himself toward His kirk, as many names He giveth to Himself whereby He may be praised of her 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 284.
When He keepeth His promise, and uttereth Himself a faithful God to His kirk 1596 Bk. Univ. Kirk III 874.
Superstitioun and idolatrie mantainit, quhilk vtters itselfe in keiping of festuall dayis, and boonefyres

2. a. To issue, put into circulation (counterfeit money). b. To offer (goods) for sale.a. 1574 Reg. Privy C. II 405.
Apprehendit utterand certane fals and countirfaitit money of this realmeb. 1624 Conv. Burghs III 165.
The saids factouris in tyme of scaircitie does buye victuall and vthers viuers before the hand and vtters the samin agayne at ane hier rate