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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.

Myan(e, n.¹ Also: myoun, miene. Plur. (and quasi-sing.) myanis, -ans, -ance. [Sc. var. of Moyen n.]

Means.a. A means; any arrangement to achieve some end; one arranged underhand or improperly. b. To mak myans, to take steps, make arrangements. c. (By the) active agency (of a person). d. Means of information; ? information, foreknowledge, warning. e. Influence, power. f. ? Material or ? intellectual resources; ? funds or ? ability.a. (1) sing. c 1575 Waus Corr. 107.
Or ye culd fynd the myoun to get the arestment lousit a1578 Pitsc. I. 16/14.
The queine mother begane to find ane myane hou scho sould deminesch the chancellaris pouer(2) 1571 Sempill Sat. P. xxviii. 58.
quasi-sing. Than my Lord Arrane from Albany the Duke Obtenit the gift of Murray be ane myance [: alliance, defyance]b. 1550 Reg. Privy C. I. 109.
Bringis hame furth of the partis of France sowis and carolus … and makis myance that the samin hes passage 1571 Sempill Sat. P. xxviii. 149.
For feir of Murray sic myance gart I makc. 1439 Acts II. 54/2.
Be the miene of the said princes hir procuracioune or seruantis 1545 Reg. Privy C. I. 4.
Throw suppli myance and favour of the King of Ingland 1550 Ib. 89.
To sek ane honorable peax … be the Kingis avise and myance a1578 Pitsc. II. 142/24.
Thir captouris passit in evirie parroch be the bischoppis myanisd. 1552 Armstrong Hist. Liddesdale I. App. xciii.
And gif [any of] ws be oure myance or knawlaige can haife understanding that [etc.] 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 170.
The said erle havand myance thairof, rasit his friendise. a1578 Pitsc. I. 266/11.
This the king of Scottland beand so insolent, havand no forsight nor myans in the contrief. c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxxiii. 36.
He wald haif for a nicht to byd A haiknay and the hurtmanis hyd So meikle he was of myance 1558 State P. (Reg. H.) No. 66.
The quhilk doand we will haif the greter occasioun and myance to employ ws for ȝow a1605 Montg. Flyt. 65 (T).
Gang trot in ane tow, mandrak but myance [: defyance]