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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.

Lefe, Leif(f, v.² Also: leff-, leyf(f. P.t. and p.p. lefit, leiffit etc.; left. P.p. leffen. [ME. lefe(n (13th c.), leafe(n (13th c.): cf. Leve v.²] tr. To grant leave or permission, to permit, allow.(a) 14.. Acts I. 333/2.
At thai [baxters] hald seruandis in thar ouynis ma than the law leffis 1503–4 Mill Mediæv. Plays 119.
Thai lefit & gif thame charge tile extent resonablie ale vnfre personis of thair craftis 1593 Perth Hammermen 103.
That it sall nocht be leffen to him to advenge himself 1650 Glasgow Wrights Acts ii.
[Assay masters] salbe cairfull that no shift be maid, nor left to be maid, that the intrant may be instructit be … help of wtheris to the making of the sey peice(b) (c 1580) Alex. ii. 8859.
‘Ȝea, gif God leiffis me!’ said the King a1500 Henr. Fab. 1956.
Ryse vp, Lowrence, I leif thé for to stand 1540 Lynd. Sat. 493 (Ch.).
Will ye leif me, Sir, first for to go to? 1576 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. I. 22.
The said Roger to leif and licenc his quartir of the boit to turs ane fraucht of stanis to the gudeman of Cowhill — c 1500 Rathen Manual 27/2.
We cursis … all thamme that brekis the gyrth of the kyrk … bot quhen the lav leyffis c 1590 Waus Corr. 445.
Luikeing … for your l. … assistance in this mater sa far as the law leiffis 1622-6 Bisset I. 311/25.
Als far as the law leifis him

b. ? With admixture of Lefe v.¹ 5 b. a1568 Bann. MS. 256 a/24.
Will scho glaik and go nyis I leif hir to play hir