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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.

Conduct, n. Also: conduck, -duke, -duik. [e.m.E. conduct (1523), L. conductus. Cf. Conduit and Condit.]

1. A safe-conduct. (Cf. Safe-conduct.) 1473–4 Treas. Acc. I. 3.
Componit with Thomas Blak, Inglisman, for a conduct for a ȝere 1474 Ib. 52; etc.
Gevin to Vnicorne herald … passand to Londone with a conduct to the ambaxatouris of Inglande 1490 Acta Conc. 137/2.
For the quhilkis v rose nobles … George and Alexander were bundin … for a conduct gevin to thaim be the said Thomas c1515 Asl. MS. I. 213/24.
In the sext ȝere the erll of Mar passit in Yngland on a conduct 1531 Bell. Boece I. 160.
Part of Scottis said, Na conduct suld be gevin to Romanis 1543 Acts II. 431/1.
The said conduct … is sufficient anewcht to salf the said Jhon that he be na presoner c1550 Rolland C. Venus ii. 917.
I haif … Ane fre conduct to suffice him and me a1578 Pitsc. II. 5/19.
Thair come ane herald out of Ingland, desyrand ane conduct for ane ambassadour 1603 Moysie 6.
It wes also ordeanit that na … conductis, respectis, nor remissionis sould pas the sealis 1622-6 Bisset II. 234/4.
The ordinances quhairfoir the vicount of Lyoun is accustumate to the sectis called seillis of conduct and nocht brevis

2. A conduit. 1531 Reg. Dunfermline 362.
Thai sall oppin the conductis thairof anis in sik maner as the lavell seruis to the drivin of thair awine coill 1535 Stewart 15541.
In the wall wyde conductis maid of stone, … In tyme of neid thairin hornis to blaw 1541 Reg. Privy S. II. 660/1.
To brek the calsay for making of conductis, and asiamentis to the said land c1552 Lynd. Mon. 1474.
Quhow that Noye gan to reiose Quhen conductis of the heuin did close 1563 Edinb. B. Rec. III. 166.
To close the mouthis of all the oppin conductis quhilk cumis to the hie streit 1607 Reg. Privy C. VII. 358.
To draw levallis, watergangis, sinkis, conductis, shaftis and uthiris necessaris for the same [mines] 1630 Peebles Gleanings 98.
For taking up the conduct in John Stevensones clos

b. A passage in the body. 1531 Bell. Boece I. p. xlv.
Sum [fische] ar round as ane ball, … havand bot ane conduct baith to purge thair wambe and ressave thair meit

3. Leading, leadership; a leader. a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. clxxvii. 14.
Indewit with wertew, … Craft, conduct, cair, and knawlege to command c1590 Fowler 225 § 11.
Quha is my conduct in the cluddie night c1615 Chron. Kings 95.
Ane thoussand hacbutteris wnder the conduke of Monseir de Martigues Ib. 123.