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

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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Post, Poist(e, n.² Also: poste, poast(e. [e.m.E. post, poste, a ‘standing post’ or post-stage (1506), a ‘thorough post’ or express messenger (1513), a post-horse (1597), etc., F. poste (1480 in Larousse), It. posta, f. L. posita fem. p.p. of pōnere to place.]For further information and references see A.R.B. Haldane Three Centuries of Scottish Posts (Edinburgh, 1971), ch. 1.

1. a. To bide or ly at post, to wait at a forward station on a route in readiness to carry forward despatches in relay to the next station or to the destination. 1507 Treas. Acc. III 412.
In Pettinweme, to Johne Dunlop to pas our the Month to bide at post before the king, l s. Ib. 413.
To Quintin Focart to pas to ly at the post, lj s. vj d.

b. To mak a post: to arrange stations at which relays of men and horses were available to carry forward despatches or at which changes of horses were available for a single despatch-rider travelling the whole route. 1515 Douglas Corr. 68.
I pray you sped thir lettyris … and sped wyth thaim the kyngis wrytyngis. And gyf ȝe kouth do so mekyll as cause the king mak a post therfore, I war bedyttyt to his grace and ȝou for ever

c. To mak the post, to furnish a horse or a rider at one station to convey a despatch to the next station. 1547 Reg. Privy C. I 74.
That the saidis personis respective have post horsis ilk ane of thame for thair awin part at the bailis forsaidis to await apoun the incuming of our saidis inemeis and the samin postis to depart fra the baile of Sanctabbis heid to the Lard of Restalrig … kepar of the said baile of Dowhill … and the kepar of the said baile of Dowhill to post to the Capitane of Dunbar … and the said Capitane of Dunbar to mak the post to the said Priores of Northberwik … and the said Priores to mak the post to the said Patrik Erle Boithuell [etc.]

2. A person employed by the government or by another official body, esp. a burgh, to carry despatches; a courier, despatch-rider, official letter- or package-carrier; also = Postmaister n. 1. Also general post.In some, esp. later, examples there is ambiguity with 5 a, c or d or with 6.Orig. appar. chiefly or only a horse-courier, but latterly applied also to official messengers who travelled on foot. Also specif. horse- and foot-post.Post diligent, ? express courier or emissary.No corresp. F. or Eng. expression seems to be recorded, but cf. e.m.E. diligence n. speed (Caxton-).Also applied to similar couriers in ancient times or distant lands.Also fig.(1) 1507 Treas. Acc. IV 78.
To the Franch post quhilk com heir 1515 Williamson in Doug. (Sm.) I. p. xxiii.
My lord ewyn now wils I vas vrittyng this copy … ther come a post to the lord Dacre and tuyk hym a letter from the consell wiche shewis [etc.] 1532 Treas. Acc. VI 40.
For ane hors gevin to the Franche poste that come throw Ingland and raid to … Striveling 1545 Douglas Corr. 159.
That ȝe may heif ane comandemand to gar delayver it vith the nixte poste 1547 Reg. Privy C. I 74 (see 1 c above). 1549 Compl. 109/27.
As sune as the lordis of the counsel hes determit ony guide purpos for the deffens … of the realme … the sammyn counsel is vitht in … Beruik, & vitht in thre dais there eftir the post of Beruyk presentis it in London to the counsel of Ingland 1551 Corr. M. Lorraine 349.
Heirfor it wylbe your grace plesour to caus me be adwerteissit be the keyngis post off your gud mynd and daitis 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 216.
The post of Sanct Androis, being in Edinburgh 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 344.
Johne Lord of Abirbrothok [etc.] … , beand cumand to the conventioun, wes stopit be ane post of my lord regentis 1576 Anal. Scot. II 327.
And weiris plaidis and blew bonattis within the said townis, as giff they were landwart men or comoun postis 1600-1610 Melvill 22.
Ther was also ther [sc. in Montrose] a post, that frequented Edinbruche, and brought ham Psalme buikes and ballates 1601–2 Montrose Treas. Acc. 4 b.
To Alexander Scott the post at Edinburgh x libs. 1602 Ib. 11.
For ane post of the kingis that cam for George Guthre vj s. viij d. 1603 Reg. Privy C. VI 566 (see Post-boy n.). 1614 Melrose P. 151.
The … grite want of all thingis necessarie hes moved ws to send the post in post to your lordship for supplee Ib. 152 (see Post v. 2). 1623 Ib. 507.
The abuse of the posts of whose slownesse I have many times compleaned 1633 Rep. Maxwell-Stuart Mun. 7.
To all his majesties posts or theire deputys 1646 4th Rep. Hist. MSS. App. 510/1.
To a post to carye a letter fra Dundie to Glames … 00 lib. 18 s. 1655 Culross I 282. 1662 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. I 263 (see 5 c below). 1675 Aberd. Council Lett. V 459. 1677 Cunningham Diary 91.
To Pasley post with a letter east, 2.O 1684 Bonckle Kirk S. 76.
Discharging all pedlers, packmen and common posts to travell without passes 1689 Cramond Cullen Ann. 62.
The … counsell agrie to send in ane weeklie post to the post office at Banff for intelligence and for that effect the counsell alloves to the said post foure shilling Scots weeklie, and allows to the postmaster his servant foure shilling Scots money for transcryveing of letters of intelligence weeklie(b) 1570 Treas. Acc. XII 202.
For convoying of ane Inglis poist cumin of Beruik to my lord maister Drowrie 1574 Ib. XIII 32.
To four ordinar poistis and boyis … awaittand upoun the comptar … in Abirdene and passand thairfra with clois writingis 1589–90 Ayr B. Acc. 165.
[Given to] the poistis Hall and Thompsoun that ran still in winter to Edinburgh 1594 Misc. Spald. C. V 58.
For ane … luifray of blew to Alex^r Checkam, the townis poist 1595–6 Ib. 62. 1603 Haddington Corr. 210.
My runner meiting ane poist at the thrie myle hows be eist Lithgow 1613–14 Misc. Spald. C. V 94. 1623–4 Dumbarton Common Gd. Acc. 32. 1654 Dumfries Council Min. 24 April.
The conveener to pey … to the poist for the tounes missive 1665 Conv. Burghs III 578.
William Tennant, messour, … to be there comon poist, and ordaines him to be imployed in making of all there comon wairnings(c) 1646 Dumfries Treas. Acc. 8 March.
For twa poastes ane to Glencairne & ane vther to Mouswall 1649 Fam. Innes 240.(2) 1567 Treas. Acc. XII 91.
To Thomas Hope, post of Beruik … , for the expensis … of Archibald Trunat, post 1591 Elgin Rec. II 18. 1600 Crim. Trials II 160.
Thomas Wallis and Williame Baxter postis in Edinburcht 1603 Reg. Privy C. VI 566 marg.
Johne Killoch, poist in the Canogait 1623 Perth Kirk S. MS 3 June.
Send with George Robertsone post togidder with the depositiounes of the wischeis 1688 Coupar Angus Kirk S. in Dunkeld Presb. I 128.
Fifteen pound [etc.] … which was sent to Edinburgh by Andrew Donn, poast, to James Guthree, pursevant(3) 1653–4 Dumbarton Common Gd. Acc. 200.
To the general post at the scribeing of the book, 12 s.(4) 1603 Treas. Acc. MS 271 b.
To ane hors poist passand … with ane packet to … the poist master at Bervik 1644 Army of the Covenant II 317.
For posts foot and horse from the listing of the armie to ther joyning with Generall Leslies armie 1662 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. I 263 (see 5 c below). 1663 Haddington B. Rec. (Robb) 13 March.
The thesaurar to buy ane long coat to George Leirmond, thair foot poste, of blew cloath … provyding he upon his awin expense buy ane silver badge with the tounes armes 1673 Aberd. Council Lett. V 283 (see Postmaister n. 1).
Fute post(5) 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 306.
The same day monsieur Lacrokis guid sone come out of France to Leith with ane new commissioun fra the King of France and Quene of Ingland as post diligent Ib. 334.
Thair come ane post diligent out of Ingland and past … to Striueling(6) 1549 Compl. 115/4.
The senat ande faders conscript of Rome send ane post in message vitht ane closit vryting 1560 Rolland Seven S. 85.
Poist efter poist, quhair he lay in weilfair, Sone till him come, and culd the caus declair Ib. 932.
The poistis ran with all haistie message To Romes toun [etc.](7) fig. a1561 Norvell Meroure 11 a.
Come as my post, and sueitlie on them call 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 80/27.
Then Lucifer vpsprang, Auroras post, whome sho did send amang The jeittie cludds for to foretell ane hour 1611-57 Mure Dido & Æneas i 227.
Æolus … Let louse the winds, thy rav'nows postes imploy

b. Appar., a courier in the employment of a private person. 1606 Reg. Privy C. VII 622.
[And William Dalgleische] poist [to the said Sir James Johnston]

c. transf. The news delivered by a despatch-rider or a courier. a1578 Pitsc. I 318/18.
Bot at last the post come frome the Earle of Angus schawand the king that baitht the airmeis was in sight of wther c1615 Chron. Kings 108.
The poist cuming to the erlle of the deidly disease of his wyff, he leiffis the queine and with haist rydis to Sanct Androis

d. Be post, by courier (see above and also 5 c). 1539 Treas. Acc. VII 56.
For the kingis grace dispensatioun of consanguinite quhilk wes send for be post, for passing and repassing in directing of the said post, ij^c cronis 1540 Reg. Privy S. II 533/1.
The directing of his grace lettres … be post in uthir partis

e. Maister of (the) posts, = Postmaister n. 3. 1615 Reg. Privy C. X 836.
That his majesteis maister of poistes suld travell throw the haill cuntrey for establischeing of thir joyrney maisteris … haveing sufficient souertie of everie ane of thame in his great poist buik Ib. 838.
At the discretioun of the nobleman directer or the maister of the poistes

3. a. To rin, ryde, pas the post, to go as an express messenger or despatch-rider, ? using relays of horses as in 1 b; hence also, transf. to travel at express speed, and fig.Cf. F. courir la poste, id. (1573 in Larousse).Also to run the speediest post, to travel fastest, to run this post, i.e. in this (fig.) direction.Also to ride (a certain number of) postes, to travel in this way the specified number of times.(1) 1507 Treas. Acc. IV 82.
To Alexander Gordoun ȝeman of the stable, his wage … quhen the king wes at the Month, and ran the post, xxviij s. 1533 Ib. VI 154.
For ij hors for him and his servand to ryn the post to Cauldstreme 1538 Ib. VII 16. Ib. 17. 1539 Ib. 59.
Gevin for rynnyng of the post to ane currour fra Rowane to Marchellis for expeditioun of the quenis gracis passage 1571 Ib. XII 240.
To ane boy passand the poist to Striviling with … clois writtingis 1574 Three Reformers 110.
They … would chuse out Some for to ride the post about(2) 1622 Scot Course of Conformity 27.
These bishops … who for one preaching made to the people rides fortie postes to court(3) transf. and fig. 1577 Buch. Wr. 59.
Quhair ye say ye haif not lang to lyif, I traist to God to go before yow, albeit I be on fut, and ye ryd the post a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xxxvii 14.
Then quench this fyre, quhilk runneth ay the poste Out throu my cost, consuming bain and lyre 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 224 (see b (2) below). Ib.
In the quhilk and infinite other vices they run the post Ib.
Ye see in their behaviour how speedily they run this post

b. To tak (the) post, (of a private traveller) to travel by relays of horses at post-stages as 1 b, 4 b and 5 a.With the implication that this was the fastest available mode of travel.Also fig., to travel speedily, hasten, rush (to perdition or the like).Cf. F. prendre la poste (pour the destination).(1) c 1576 Bann. Memor. 335.
Adam made him reddie and tuike the poist sowth a1578 Pitsc. I 358/9.
The King of Scottland landit … and thairefter tuik the post to Paries Ib. 361/9.
Also they marweled of his great deliegence taking the post and comming so haistalie in to them c1610 Melville Mem. 14.
The bischop … was sent to Rome and because he tok post he left me behind him at Paris(2) fig. 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 224.
It appeareth well that they have taken the post in this way, every one, as appeareth, contending who should run the speediest post to ane evil end

c. (To travel) be post, (to ride) on postis, by relays of post-horses.(1) 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 64.
James pryour of Sanctandrois [etc.] … tuke thair vioage to … France throw Ingland be poist Ib. 195.
Mr. Foullar … come by post to the said regent(2) a1578 Pitsc. I 362/12.
The King [of France] … gart gett fresche horse to the King of Scottland because he raid hither on postis

d. (Travel) with post, with despatch, with speed.e.m.E. (1569). 1604-31 Craig ii 85.
(Charon) What seeks thou heere? (Ghost) a safe transport with post

4. (To come, go, ride, send, etc.) at (the) post or in post, also in the post. a. Of a message or a messenger: As or by express courier, as sense 2; hence, at express speed, ‘post-haste’: cf. 3 a.Cf. F. en poste (a 1500 in Littré), It. in posta.(1) 1511 Treas. Acc. IV 309.
To ane … mane at come at the post fra the … commissaris to the king 1515 Ib. V 43.
To Jame Wallace for to pas at the post with ane writing of my lord governouris to the King of Francis ambassiatour 1517 Ib. 119.
To Johne Langlandis quhilk raid at post with thre commissiounis to Renfrew and Air 1551 Armstrong Hist. Liddesdale I App. xcii.
Send furth of Wigtoun to Edinburgh at the poist for hagbutaris [etc.] … to be in Lochmabane viij Decembris 1560 Rolland Seven S. 823.
Thir his wrytingis he [the Emperor] hes send at the poist 1596 Dalr. II 252/29.
Ane harald at post to the Inglis king he directes(2) 1562 Laing MSS. I 20.
This berar was cummit of court and bound to Scotland in poist 1597 James VI Dæmonol. (S.T.S.) xix/3.
To dispatch in post this following treatise of mine 1603 Reg. Privy C. VI 566.
That he [the postmaster] sall at all houris ressave and send away in poist [Ib. 705: in the poist] all sik pacquetis and letters as salbe brocht to him directit for his majesteis effaires 1614 Melrose P. 151 (see 2 (1) above).

b. Of a person generally: By relays of horses at post-stages, as 1 b and 5 a; hence, at great speed, ‘post-haste’: cf. 3 b.(1) 1515–16 Treas. Acc. V 73.
To Hannis, gunnar, quhilk hyrit ane hors to ryd to Stirling at post 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 906.
Off that nouellis come to Dame Propertie, To Ryches and to Sensualytie, Quhilks sped thame at the post, rycht spedalye 1545 Corr. M. Lorraine 134.
The Erell of Leonax wyth Lord Quhartom, warden, war departit at the poist to London 1560 Rolland Seven S. 9313.
And I at poist to ȝow am cum away Ib. 9336.
Keip I iornay, thocht I ryde at the poist Ib. 5380. 1596 Dalr. II 37/11.
In Ingland thay pas at the post(2) 1552 Corr. M. Lorraine 359.
Qwhilk master Pamer twik on hand to delywer … and is passit in post to London 1570 Sat. P. x 208.
To Dunbar that nycht scho raid in haist Behind ane man in poist, as scho war chaist 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 10.
Scho flingis away in haist lyke ane mad woman, be greit jornayis in poist, in the schairp tyme of wynter, first to Melros

5. a. One of a series of stations where relays of horses were kept for official couriers or for travellers riding ‘post’ (as in preceding senses); a post-stage (Post-stage n.) or post-office (Post-office n.).Before 1768 appar. only Sc.: cf. mod. F. poste id. 1603 Reg. Privy C. VI 567.
All sik as … sal have occasioun to ryd poist … salbe … furneissit withe horssis be the postmasteris gif they haive any and utherwayes sal be taikin … aither within the toun itself quhair the poist is plaicit or in the … parroche nixt adjacent 1642 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. VII 202 (see Post-stage n.). 1662 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. I 263.
That postes shall be established betuixt Scotland and Ireland in maner following 1680 Aberd. Council Lett. VI 248.
Pray inquire at the post if they [letters] miscarie not for I have written with everie post since I cam heir besyds on Friday last

b. ? The distance between successive stations of a post-route as above. fig. a 1649 Drummond (1711) 133.
Through skies twelve posts as he [sc. the sun] doth run his course

c. A postal or courier service. 1662 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. I 263.
Robert Mein … keiper of the letter office of Edinburgh to establish the saids postes … discharging hereby all other poastes, either foott or horse, to cary letters to or from Edinburgh, bot by the common post to be established be him 1667 Aberd. Council Lett. IV 297.
To … erect ane constant correspondance and fitt post from the burgh of Aberdein to the brughe of Edinburghe of tuo weekly returns

d. A particular delivery by the postal service. 1680 Aberd. Council Lett. VI 246.
Be Sir John Dalrimpels consultatione quich I sent last post Ib. 248 (see a above). 1680 Edinb. B. Rec. X 405.

e. In post paid, = Postage n. 1664 Annandale Corr. 308.
For the Earle of Anandaile … to be leaft with the postmaster of Edenburgh in Scotland. Post paid, 4 d.

6. ? A person carrying a message on a single occasion, a message-bearer. 1584–5 Crim. Trials I ii 141.
Quha being the messingeris and poistis of the saidis fugitiues had … interteinment at ȝoure hous 1590 Ib. 202.
Nochtwithstanding ye send sewin poistis to him ofbefore 1610 Argyll Acc.
To tua severall postis to gang to my lord to Innerrara c1650 Spalding II 201.
Essex sent about 16 currieris or postis … to London

7. Attrib., in senses 2 and 5, with buke, night, -pacquet, -silver.Also Post-boy, post-hors, etc. 1614 Conv. Burghs II 463.
Anent the complent given in be the burghs of Dumbartane and Kirkcaldy, contrair the burgh of Perth, for exacting ane certane dewtie of postsilver fra thair nightbours cumming vpon hyrit hors to thair toun 1615 Reg. Privy C. X 836 (see 2 e above).
Poist buik 1634 T. Hope Diary 6.
A pacquet … to go vnder cover in Sir Archibald Atcheson his post pacquet 1664 Lauderdale P. I 195.
I apprehend how much you are putt to the minding of poast nights