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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.

Loose, a. Also: loos(s. [e.m.E. and ME. loos(e (Chaucer), also lewse (c 1460), returning to a form ls with the close (see Los a.), adopted in place of Sc. Lows or Los.] Loose, in senses of Lows a.To keep a loose foot, to remain uncommitted, to retain a free hand.(1) 1584 Colville Lett. 50.
Quhat restis moir bot to preserve thair lyif, … keping thame selfe, as the auld Erll of Angus said, to be loos and levand c1650 Spalding I. 54.
Ballindallach … schuke him self looss and wyns the killogie dur(2) a1676 Guthry Mem. 215.
The Earl of Seaforth, who formerly had always kept a loose foot, now joined cordially to him(3) 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1822) iii.
I must either … have … witness to His word, or else I count myself loose Id. Tryal Faith (1845) 80.
We make loose bargains in the behalf of our souls 1659 Hay Diary 113.
I … found that my wayes could not be very pleasing unto the Lord, becaus I found my heart very loose so soon after a communion, especially I found my unwatchfulness most eminent in my tongue(4) comb. a1652 Dickson Psalms I. 59.
The word of God, pronouncing the sentence of justice upon all loose tongued men(5) a1578 Pitsc. (1728) 121.
The Earl of Angus … cherished all loose men, and most part thieves and traitors 1653 Vindication of the Late Generall Assembly 29.
The wicked, malignant, loose, prophane persons in the land … do … oppose … that … way 1653 Sc. N. & Q. 2 Ser. II. 43.
A watch for securing those parts … which ly neare the highlands from the incursion of those looss people which dayly breake downe upon them 1699 Cramond Ch. Cullen 138.
By reason of resetting … vagrants and loose persons 1699 Id. Ch. Aberdour 37.(6) 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 225.
So many as cast them loose to thir vices must fall into His hands(7) 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 108.
Donald of the Isles turned loose … and in his descent to the Lowlands did great hurt [etc.](8) 1658 Durham Comm. Rev. 146.
When parents and children are casten loose of all temporal things, and haue not for the refreshing of themselues and their families(9) 1595 Orkney Rentals ii. 87.
Summa of fre butter and butter for flesche … 8½ barrels. Summa of scat and loose butter in augmentation of the rental 36 lisps. Ib. 89. 1642 Ib. iv. 31.(10) 1690 Letter (Annandale Papers MS.) 20 Feb.
Poynd Hieselbanck also and all the tennantts for my loose money(11) 1647 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 85.
Vnles some speedie course be takin for remeid of the same, the toun will be castin loose, and no ordour keipit at all a1661 J. Guthrre Considerations (1846) 249.
The Lord's day disregarded and casten loose(12) 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 340.
Whosoever abuseth the grace of God with ane loose rein 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 432.
Every person tooke loose reines to do as he would