Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Actoun, n. Also: actowne, acton(e. [ME. aketoun (c 1300), actoun, acton, etc., OF. auqeton (F. hoqueton), of Arabic origin.] A stuffed jacket worn under the mail. Also fig. c1420 Wynt. viii. 4879.
Willame off Spens percit … throw thre fawld off awbyrchowne And the actowne [C. actone; W. actoun] throw the thryd ply 14.. Acts I. 113/2.
A gud suffyciand acton, a basnet & gluffis of playt ?1438 Alex. i. 2562; etc.
The mailȝeis of his habersoun He persit, and his gude actoun Ib. 3286.
Vpon ane cod punȝeid of cottoun, Was thikker than ane actoun 1513 Doug. xi. Prol. 117.
Of fre will thyne acton is sa wight Nane may it pers, wilt thou resist c1590 J. Stewart 67/65.
No corslat, targe, acton, nor habirȝoune Mycht the redoubling dochtie dints defend