v. Chiefly Sc. Obs. Forms: 4–6 trible, tribul(e, 6 tribull, -bill, -bil. [a. OF. triboler, -bouler, -buler, etc. (12th c. in Godef.), ad. L. trībulāre to press, oppress, afflict: see TRIBULATION.] trans. To bring tribulation upon; to distress, harass, afflict.
a. 1325. Prose Psalter, xxxviii[i]. 9. Man for-soþe in likenes passeþ; ac in vayn he hys tribled [v.r. sturblyd].
1375. Barbour, Bruce, IV. 58. It wes gret pite for to heir Folk till be tribulit on þis maneir.
1456–70. in Acts Parlt. Scotl. (1875), XII. 20/2. Part of ewyl myndit personis … wrangis and tribulis ws and our pwr tenentis.
1563. Winȝet, Wks. (S.T.S.), II. 28. Men of corruptit mynd,… tribuland thair wit about quæstions and stryfe of wordis.
1572. Earl Argyle, Lett., in Munim. Irvine (1890), I. 60. Quhatsomevir persone or personis … sall attempt to tribull, molest, harme or injure the foirsaidis provest, baillzies [etc.].
Hence † Tribular Sc. Obs., one who distresses or afflicts; † Tribulness Sc. Obs. = TRIBULE; † Tribulous a. Sc. Obs., full of tribulation.
1574. Reg. Privy Council Scot., II. 395. The saidis declarit tratouris,… and *tribularis of the commoun weill.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, xxiv. (Alexis), 327. & neuir for ony *tribulnes Spak he Il … mare ore les.
1563. Winȝet, Four Scoir Thre Quest., To Rdr., Wks. (S.T.S.), I. 51. That quhilk the Prophete spak … apperis in thir our *tribulus dayis almaist fullelie complete.
