Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

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

(Lede-,) Leid-lyne, n. Also: led-lyne, leadlyn, laidlin. [Late ME. leede lyne (1485): cf. Lede n.¹ 2 c.] A sounding-line; also, cord for sounding-lines. — a 1568 Sempill Sat. P. xlvi. 51.
I pray ȝow, cast the leid lyne owt, And, gif ȝe can nocht get the grund, Steir be the compas 1588 Cal. Sc. P. IX. 675.
Ane lantroun leadlyn with glassis compassis cost xviij l. 1613 Soc. Ant. X. 222.
The haill furnishing to the bark … for ane led and ane led lyne ij li. x s. 1622 Brechin Test. IV. 62 b.
In his me[r]chant buthe … tuentie faldomis laidlin price x s.; Item, of saill tuyne four pund vecht