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

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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Pastym(e, Pastime, n. Also: pasteme, pasttyme, pasetym, pass-tyme. [e.m.E. pas(s)e-tyme (c 1489), past-tyme (1513), -time, pastyme (1526), a calque of F. passe-temps: cf. Pastance n.]

Pastime, in various applications. Also proverb.a. Recreation; entertainment, amusement, diversion; pleasure. b. An instance of this; a game or sport; an entertainment or diversion.(1) 1528 Lynd. Dreme 104.
Now … Janeuar … Reiffis frome vs all pastyme and plesoure 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6942.
For vther game nor pastime gat scho none 1558-66 Knox II. 319.
Such pastyme to thame is but joyousitie a1568 Scott v. 67.
Sen every pastyme is at plesure I counsale ȝow to mel with mesure a1578 Pitsc. I. 163/15.
He wssit mekill huntting and halking witht wther gentill men pastyme c1590 Fowler II. 28/29. 1599 Elgin Rec. II. 76.
All prophane pastyme inhibited 1601 Ib. 91. c1610 Melville Mem. 7.
Till assist him in sic honest pasetym as he delitis intill 1614 Chron. Perth 14.
Bone fyris, ringing of the bellis with other pastyme 1624 Elgin Rec. II. 184.
Not to … vse ony prophane or lewd pasteme on the Sabothe day 1675 Kelso Bailie Ct. 52 b.
That … thair be no more pastime above the heuche by casting of stones or bullettisproverb. a1598 Ferg. Prov. MS. No. 811.
It is no pastyme quhair ane greits & ane other laughs(2) 1562-3 Winȝet I. 6/14.
Albeit it chance … that he … be gevin to pastyme quhen he sulde maist diligentlie labour 1569 Reg. Privy C. II. 37.
Passing to the feildis in pastyme convenit a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. xiv. 26.
Be na dysar nor playar at the cairtis Bot gif it be for pastyme and small thing Ib. cxiii. i.
Pas tyme with godlie cwmpanye … is best for me 1583 Sempill Warning xi.
Quhan he sekis pastyme [etc.] 1588 Warrender P. II. 126. c1600 Montg. Suppl. v. 2.
Sen thou takis pastym for to pyne Thay sarwandis [etc.] 1608 Crim. Trials III. ii.
Haveing maid some consaitis of pastyme in the house [etc.](3) 1528 Douglas Corr. 125.
The kingis grace departit over Forthe for his pastyme quhill neir Pasche 1549 Elgin Rec. I. 96.
Fourty schillingis … given … to Alexander Williamson, Lord Abbot, to be spendit at his pastyme 1560 Rolland Seven S. 10276.
Thay fand them baith at thair pastime playing c 1570 Wemyss Chart. 201.
Beand at thair pasttyme at the roll bowlis a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. cxiii. 10.
All plesour vane I will refuse For my pastyme the Bybill vse 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 12.
They returnit to thair auld pastyme agane 1573 Digest Justiciary Proc. I. 46. 1575–6 Reg. Privy C. II. 506.
Thair cheif pastyme of hunting 1580 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I. 307.
Maist pleasant for our pastyme and … dwelling in the symmer seasoun 1596–7 Misc. Spald. C. I. 85.
Umquhile Androw Ardes, wobster, in his pastym tuik ane lining towall [etc.] 1600 Crim. Trials II. 252.
His majestie … was led fra his pastyme to Sanct Johnestoun 1611 Reg. Panmure I. xxxi.
He on adventur did meit them, beine thear at his pastyme 16.. Hist. Kennedy 22.
The ȝoung laird and his broder … hanttis the feildis for thair pastyme(4) 1581–2 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 470.
To the bairnis makeris of the pastyme to the kingis majestie 1592 Mill Mediæv. Plays 282.
That nane off the burght be sufferit to go … to the pastyme off Scone 1644 Sc. N. & Q. 2 Ser. III. 34.
The Penitents Pass-tyme … imprinted by Edward Raban(5) 1526 Mill Mediæv. Plays 159.
Togiddyr with all pageantis & sportis & plesand pastymes quhilk salbe diuisit to the plesour of oure said souerane lord [etc.] 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1846.
And … halking and hunting Ar honest pastimes for ane king 1552 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 172. 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 81.
Manlie pastymes a1578 Pitsc. I. 340/5.
Games and pastymes as schotting, lepping, ryding and warsling 1590 Burel Queen's Entry 5.
All curious pastimes and consaits [which] Cud be imaginat be man 1592 Errol Par. Reg. in Mill Mediæv. Plays 243.
Discharges all bringing in off mayes … and pastymes on the Lordis day 1592 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 63.
That na inhabitants … be sene at ony pastymes … upoun the Sabboth day sic as golf, archerie, rowbowllis, penny stane, kaitchpuilis 1598 Acts IV. 160/1. 1633 Maxwell Mem. I. 228.
The morne, the towne of Edinburgh moosteris and makis swndrie bonie pastymes 1639 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. II. 593.(6) attrib. and comb. 1552 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 172.
Insamekle that thair is no wther place left to play interludis in … nor pastyme ground for the induellaris [etc.] 1554 Crim. Trials I. i. 372.
Quhair thai wer dowblate allane at thair pastyme play and at the row-bowlis in the hie marcate gait 1605 Mill Mediæv. Plays 245.
To the menstrillis, officeris and belringeris for pastyme making