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

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Lauch, a. Also: lauche, lawch, lawich, laugh, lawghe, laucht. [? Returning to an early ME. *lăh, shortened f. lāh Laich, perh. orig. in the compar. lahre, lahȝhre (Orm), and cf. lavgher (Rolle). See also Leauch(e.  Cf. Lach(e and Laich (and also Law a.).] Low in stature or height; low in position; occupying the low, or a lower, situation in a building. Also lauche, laugh hous, = Laich hous n.(1) Brus xii. 19 (E).
He raid apon a litill palfray, Laucht and joly 1533 Boece iv. xij. 144.
Sum parte … at dede nepe and lawich flude sowmyng haistelie, gat within the ile 1583 Edinb. Test. XII. 312.
In the buith sevin lauch hattis vnlynit(2) Brus xiii. 651 (E).
It that wndre lawch was ar Mon lepe on loft Ib. xiv. 338.
In a richt fair place, that was Lawch by a brym ?1438 Alex. ii. 5789.
Ay quhill the vmest lauchest be 1473 Reg. Cupar A. I. 172.
Tha sal put the sade land til al polici thai may … with wynnyn and gudyn of the lands quhareuer it nedis, that is to sa with gadryn to the hycht quhar it is lauch c1475 Wall. x. 622.
The lauch way till Enrawyn thai ryd(3) 1533 Boece vii. vi. 231.
The lawich parte of Thezalia adiacent to the sey was callit Buchquhane Ib. viii. ix. 268.
That Saxouns … suld resaue the lawich landis opposit to the costis of Fraunce 1555 Fam. Rose 219.
To haif gude reule in all the partis of this realme, als wele in lauch as in hieland partis therof(4) 1562 Edinb. B. Deeds 25 b.
My lauch how bouthe c 1563 Reg. Panmure I. cxliv.
Quhilkis bothe entries hes come fra the clos, the ane quhar nowe is the lawghe chalmer 1580 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. 137.
To loft the hall the lauchhall and the chalmer of thair place 1616 Aberd. B. Rec. II. 339.
Ane wall … with ane hewin chack to gang doun to the lauch voult 1641 Ib. III. 253.
That all the doris and windowis, heighe and lauche, be ewer fast 1645 Ib. IV. 47.
The eistmest lauch loft has ane vther doore c1650 Spalding II. 298.
Thair wes a committee of warr holdin in the lauche counsal-hous of the tolbuith(5) c1650 Spalding I. 38.
The King … enteris the lauche tolbuith(6) c1650 Spalding I. 22.
He settis his corn yaird in fyre, and haill lauche bigging, barnes, byres Ib. II. 357.
The laird duelt in lauche bigging besyde the hous(7) 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 234.
Thai of Edinburgh brunt the lauche houssis of Merchinstoun 1696 Cullen B. Rec. 21 Apr.
Ane vther bolle off beare yearly to be payed to her out of the laugh house & crasshouse therto belonging