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

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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Maister-, Masterschip, n. Also: mester- and -schipe, -schep, -s(h)ip, -chip. [ME. (1387–8) and e.m.E maystre-, mayster-, maister-, mastership. Cf. also Meship.]Abbreviated as mrschip etc., and, in sense 3, as m.

1. The condition of being master or superior in various senses; mastery, ascendancy. a1538 Abell 92 a.
Sum giffis the maisterschip to thare wife sa at thai dar do nathing by hir 1560 Rolland Seven S. 8619.
In all gude games … He far excellit, and had the maisterschip 1622-6 Bisset II. 223/14.
[If the seamen] will ranson utheris the subiectis or alyance throw maisterschip

b. The power or influence wielded by a magnate; patronage. 1487 Acts II. 178/2.
[To elect] officiaris … of the best … induellaris … & nocht be parcialite nor masterschip whilk is vndoing of the borowis quhar masterschippis & requestis cummis 1491 Ib. 227/1.
That na induellare within burghe purches na out lordschip na maisterschip to landward … in the oppressioun of his nychbour 1590 Conv. Burghs I. 321.
That partiality and maisterschipe … in the electioun … aucht to haue na plaice 1683 Edinb. B. Rec. XI. 82.

2. The office, function or dignity of a master in various senses; the degree of a Master of Arts. 1495 Acta Conc. I. 419/1.
To put him in possessioun of the kirk of Vchiltre and maisterschip of Mauchling 1524 Holyrood Chart. 257; 1562 Edinb. B. Rec. III. 133.
All the said skule and maisterschipe thairof 1538–9 Acta Conc. & Sess. MS. XI. 197.
To desist ces fra all putting of maisterschippis and maryinaris in the schip callit the Paule 1566–7 Reg. Privy S. V. ii. 320/2.
The maisterschip of his garderob 1577 Perth Kirk S. MS. 19 Aug.
[He] dischargis him self of his part of the maisterschip of the hospitalitie 1583 Prot. Bk. J. Scott MS. 162 b.
Certane ȝoung men that ar to proceid to thair degrie of mrschipe within the said vniuersitie

3. With a possess. pron. as an honorific mode of address or reference.a. sing. Prob. after the e.m.E. use (1440–). In the earliest occurrences addressed to Englishmen, subsequently addressed or applied to Scotsmen of some consequence (e.g. many lairds) who however did not qualify for the term lordschip. Cf. Maister n.¹ 21 b.b. plur. Addressed by an author to his readers, addressed or applied to a town council or burgh court and to a baron and his baillie in the baron court.a. (1) 1533 Douglas Corr. 141.
Schir, in my most hartle maner I commend me til ȝour mastersip [Thomas Cromwell] 1548 Corr. M. Lorraine 226. 1560 Cal. Sc. P. I. 503.
[Your] maisterschipe [sc. Cecil](2) 1544 Corr. M. Lorraine 77.
I pry God kep your mastership [sc. George Forrester, baillie of Leith] 1563 Annandale Corr. 271.
We haife rasauit your maisterschepis [the laird of Johnstoun's] writtin 1567 Edinb. Test. I. 43.
I … makis … Schir John Maxwell of Terregles … my tutour testamentar … and levis to his maisterschip … ane hundreth merkis of my gudis 1576 Reg. Morton I. 82.
Luiking for ȝour M. [the laird of Lochleven's] ansuer … committis ȝour M. to the protectioun of God 1583 Wemyss Corr. 78. 1584 Grant Chart. 157.
[To] our maister and cheif, Jhone Grant of Fruquhy … praying [that] God … mot haif ȝour maisterschip in keiping 1590 Thanes of Cawdor 198.
For ane browband of welvett to his mesterchipis [the Thane's] hatt 1602 Tailor's Acc. Bk. A. 29. 1621 Maxwell Mem. I. 328.b. a1500 Colk. Sow iii. 2.
With pardoun … of ȝour he lordschippis And correctioun of ȝour reuerend maisterschippis 1505 Perth Guildry MS. 470.
Quhairfor we beseik ȝour maisterschippis … that we may haiff the said seruice ? 15.. Aberd. B. Rec. MS. XVI. (Jam.).
Ane abill … man to be maister of the gramer skoull, beseikand thair maisterschippis & the haill towne to ressaue hym thankfully 1526 Reg. Soltre 93.
To yhou … and … yhour baillie heir present in yhour curt we prowest [etc.] … of the Trinite College … schawis to yhour masterschippis, that [etc.] 1553 Lanark B. Rec. 25. 1558 Inverness Rec. I. 20.
Besykand your maisterschipis [the town council] to [etc.] 1568 Peebles B. Rec. I. 73. 1569–70 Lanark B. Rec. 47.