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

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Demand, n. Also: demaund(e, -maw(i)nd. [ME. demaunde (c 1290), demande, OF. demande.]

1. A question; a request for information. a1400 Leg. S. xxvii. 1116.
This demand that ȝe askis ws here Is a demawnd without profit ?1438 Alex. ii. 2507.
Mony demand thay askit that day; The king hes thame assoilȝeit ay Ib. 2171.
Thare was demandis and fare answeris 1456 Hay I. 167/16.
As to this demaund, be the law of armes we may say thus [etc.] 1513 Doug. i. xi. 112.
Full mony demand of Priam speir scho wald Ib. ii. v. 70.
He … to my voyd demandis na thyng said

b. Without demand, without question or delay. 1535 Stewart 38853.
Without tarie or ony moir demand Tha passit all syne into Murraland Ib. 42634.
Commandand him … to compeir Richt haistelie, without ony demand c1552 Lynd. Mon. 4370.
Quhat euir thare ministeris commandis Most be obeyit, without demandis

2. A question or challenge as to a right. 1424 Coldstream Chart. 43.
It is accordit that … the said priores … sal deliuer it bot ony demaund 1443 Highland P. II. 179.
Bathe the partyis sal hafe fre retour and recourse to thair awn landis … but ony obstakil, questioun, or demaund 1456 Hay I. 215/30.
The quhilkis … helde the … peple ay in thair foresaid fredome, but questioun or demaund 1478 Peebles B. Rec. 183.
The said Sir Wylyam Gybson … sall enter tyll his seruice again withowtyn ony pley, or demand of ony person 1495 MS. Contract in Mey P. 13 June.
The said Willȝeame bindis & oblisis him … neuer to mak impediment, questione, na demawind … to the said Alexander

3. A peremptory or insistent request or claim. 1392 Lennox Mun. 46.
Al maner of exactioune, custom or demavnde, that may be askyt 1456 Hay I. 235/22.
He may nocht … mak thame na questioun na demaund [for payment] 1447 (1451) Reg. Great S. 106/2.
Al chargis, exactionis and demandis that may be rasit or askit rychwysly of thaim