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

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
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Stop, Stap, v. Also: stopp(e, stopt, stope, stoip(e, stoyp, stoup, stoop(e, stapp(e, staupe, stoppin, -yn. P.p. also stopitt. [ME and e.m.E. stoppe (Cursor M.), stop (c1420), OE *stoppian, only (once) in late OE forstoppian, to stop, stifle, dam up, MDu., MLG stoppen, Icel. stoppa, med. L. estupo (1185 in Latham), OF estuper ((Oxford Psalter, Wace), estoper (1175) both in Larousse), L. stuppa tow.]

1. tr. To block up, close (an aperture, means of entrance or exit, etc.), chiefly by plugging or filling it (also, with or of something), or placing something before it. Also (once), of the stopper itself. Also in fig. context.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xxiii 159.
Til his mene cane he byd, That thai suld … the cawe mowth stope, sa that thai [sc. the seven sleepers] Suld neuire fra thine come away c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 114/48.
Quhen licht wes owt and durris wes bard; I wait nocht gif he gaif hir grace, Bot all the hollis wes stoppit hard 1555–6 Edinb. B. Rec. II 325.
For stra to stop the mortis of the sollis a1568 Sempill in Sat. P. xlvi 20.
Bot gif scho lekkis gett men of skill To stop hir hoilis laich in the howis 1615 Kirkwall Sheriff Ct. Act Bk. 3b.
No commoun grinds or ȝettis to be stopitt or closed vp that hes been of old and not necessar(2) a1400 Leg. S. xxiii 164.
Thai … of the cawe the mouth of stane Stopyt wele c1420 Wynt. ii 1190 (W).
Off that coif the mouth gert he With gret stanys fast stopit be 1632 Lithgow Trav. 457.
Close vp … this window … with lyme and stone, stop the holes of the doore with double matts(3) 1659 Banks Sc. Cal. Customs I 165.
Cathrine … confessed that sche did cast the fairne wispe that stopped the stope [sc. stoup] into the firre

b. To close off (an enclosed space). 1640 Kirkcudbr. Min. Bk. 67.
That the sklait roofe of the hows and batlement thairof be taken downe … and to stop the vault of the said hows 16… Soc. Ant. XI 196.
Tak the pott spedielie out of the hearth, and put it in the oven, and stop the oven presentlie, and lett it stand thairin 24 houres

c. To plug, fill up (a wound, hole, leak). a1500 Sir Eger 324.
She stopped my wounds full of silk 1582 Edinb. D. Guild Acc. 148.
For beiring of clay to stoip the ryiftis & hoillis about the erlaige 1667–70 Lauder Jrnl. 167.
We dasht upon it [sc. the headland] which strake a lake in our ship … only being neir the toune, a carpenter, a most lusty fellow, came and stoopt it wery weill

d. To fill in (a pit, ditch). c1420 Wynt. vi 325.
The graffe quhare this dede Pypyne lay Thai rypyd and the body soucht; … That delff thai stoppyd hastyly 1553–4 Edinb. B. Rec. II 283.
To foure men that kost the north loch at the eist end thairof ane day, to stoip the dyke to be cleinne

e. passive. To be choked up or inundated (also, with or be (by) some substance). c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 99.
With gor his tua grym ene ar gladderit all about And gorgeit lyk twa gutaris that war with glar stoppit 1533 Boece 55b.
Ane porte maist tranquil and convenient to harbery schippis … Bot now it is stoppit be glar and rutis of wedis 1670 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 264.
Seing that medicinall wall [= well] … had been much neglectit thes severall yeires bygone since the same wes stopit by the violent torrent of wateris which overturned it 1693 Glasgow B. Rec. IV 99.
Ane sink … for draining the said quarrie which is now altogether stopt and must of necessitie be redd

2. In specific phrases with ear(s), mouth(s): a. To stop (one's) ear(s), to plug the ear(s) with something in order to obstruct the hearing. Also fig. To close (one's, another's) ears (to a person, his words, etc.). c1400 Troy-bk. ii 2264.
I … Gart thame [sc. the sailors] thare eris stop in hy With my craft so thai herd thaim [sc. the Sirens] nochtfig. 1549 Compl. 75/11.
Behold, the hande of the Lorde is na scheortar nor it vas, na it maye saue ȝou: nor His eyris ar nocht stoppit, bot He maye heir ȝou 1568 Cal. Sc. P. II 452.
Why should princes ears be stoppid, seeing they ar payntid so long? Meaning that they shuld heere all and be well advised before they answer 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 61.
Leist in tyme to cum, … thay schute [sc. shut] up and stop with haitrent of thame thay persones eiris to thair petitiounis quhome now thay fill and laid with fals rumouris 1581 Hamilton Cath. Tr. 12b.
The vniust iuge, quha opning the ane eir … occludis and stoppis the vther 1584-9 Maxwall Commonpl. Bk. 12a.
Quha at the cry of the pwir stoppis thair eir Thay sall cry anes, & God sall not thame heir

b. fig. To stop (another's, one's own) mouth, to cause to be silent, compel to silence. Also const. with (something). Also, to stop the mouths of (lions), to prevent from devouring prey.(1) c1520-c1535 Nisbet Rom. iii 19.
Quhat euire thingis the law spekis, it spekis to thame that ar in the law, that ilk mouth be stoppit, and ilk warld be made subiect to God 1576–7 Reg. Morton I 102.
The mowthis of sic to be stoppit as ar bot inventares of lies 1584 Reg. Privy C. III 648.
To stope the mouthis of misreportaris 1633 Lithgow Poet. Remains 111.
Ought will suffice to stop the mouths of mourners 1637 Baillie I 43.
Thinking that it is the bishops intention … to have stopped for ever all mouths that would have muted against the booke or them 1645 Lag Chart. 57.
The takeing of my Lord of Quiensberrie hes stoped all yowr freends mowths 1661 Stockholm New Year's Gift Sig. A 3b.
If we step alitle further, … We shal find matter enough to stop the mouths of the gainsayers(b) 1622 Aberd. Eccl. Rec. 108.
He perceaved … how that thay had maliciouslie takin occasioun vpon the sessiounes courteous offer to ground foolishe appellatiounes; bot now, to stap thair mouthis, he wald be content(c) 1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 131.
I was put to feigne that I had made a solemme oath not to subscryve anything while I was in France, which stoopt their mouths(2) 1558-66 Knox I 155.
When he intended to mitigate thare lesingis, and schaw the maner of his doctrine, by and by thei stoped his mouth with ane other Article 1611-57 Mure Early Misc. P. xvi 1.
Each man with silence stopes his mouth, and heares Sad newes with wonder(3) c1520-c1535 Nisbet Heb. xi 33.
Thai stoppit the mouthis of liounns, Thai sloknit the feersenes of fire

3. To make (a way, thoroughfare, etc.) impassable or inaccessible by a. Physically blocking it, b. Obstructing or hindering access to or passage through it. Also fig.a. 1375 Barb. vi 290.
He sic martirdome thair maid, That he the furde all stoppit had, That nane of thame mycht till hym ryde 1375 Barb. viii 60.
Behinde thame so stoppit vas The vay, that thai fast mycht nocht fle 1375 Barb. xvii 306.
The schippis com in sic plente … That all the havyn wes stoppit then c1420 Liber Calchou II 449.
The hart [sc. heart] … putis the venome to his clenging plas and for that plas is stoppit [sc. because the pores are closed] that it may nocht out it pasis to the principale party nest that is the leuer 14.. Acts I 337/2.
Poyntis that aw to be inquerit be the gret assys … gif ony comone wenal be stopyt and be quham 1490 Irland Mir. I 79/25.
The schynand and fyry suerd, that stoppis oure gait to paradice 1567 Inv. Q. Mary xcix.
Sche causit tak doun the uttir dour that closit the passage … sua ther wes na thing left to stope the passage into the saidis schalmeris bot only the portell durris c1575 Balfour Pract. 588.
Gif thair be ony swine cruivis biggit on the fore-gait, stoppand the samin a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 1552.
So likewise doth this river flow Foorth of a pretty spring; Whose throat … You may stop with your neive 1603 Edinb. B. Rec. V 325.
The … baillies and counsall … ordanis the foresaid passage to be keippet red, frie and saif … unstoppet or hynderit be the saids baxters [etc.] … and that the officeris of this burgh poynd and destreyngyie the reddiest gudes … of the persouns … stoppand the said passage 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. i 155.
Gif ther be any vennels stopped, or bigged vp 1660 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 186.
For ther assistance in regaineing the said prisoner, and geting passes stopit, that he suld not mack escape out of the natioun 1667 Cullen Kirk S. 5 May.
The Session granted him leave to build & set up a pew of four foot of lenght in the church floor provyding he sould wrong no other mans seat nor stopp the passage through the church(b) 1596 Dalr. II 17/9.
Thay intend at last to condamme and stap the mouth of the riuer that rinnis out of the loch 1653 Glasgow B. Rec. II 273.
The complaint … against the cordoners, for that on the mercat day they stapp all passadges to thair buithesb. 1375 Barb. x 15.
Men on ilk sid gadryt he … And send thaim for to stop the way, Quhar the gud king behowyt away; … Thar Jhone off Lorne gert his menȝe Enbuschyt be abowyn the way ?1438 Alex. i 9.
Vpon a craig was in the sie Ane stalwart castel gart he mak & … hes … send … staluart men it to defend — Thairwith he thocht to stop the way that nouther ship nor ȝit gallay Sould be sey cum to the toun c1420 Wynt. vii 2526.
The wayis befor hym stoppyd wes Be gret buschementys off Inglis men; Ay throwch thame yhit gat he then 1554 Edinb. B. Rec. II 193.
The haill commoun streit of the said wynd is brokin sua that the commoun passage thairof is stoppit 1580 Edinb. B. Rec. IV 163.
The hie passages and kairt gaittis … ar pairtlie nairowet and stoppet be casting of gottes and fowsis 1596 Dalr. II 281/6.
Partlie closet in the west sey, partlie amang the mountanes and louchis haldne be Huntleis men of weir the gait was stopitfig. c1552 Lynd. Mon. 4819.
To enter thare [sc. Paradise] thay mak small deligence … Rychtso, frome ws thay stop the plane entres c1590 Fowler I 184/3.
Quhen that her eyes giues hope of better happ And pittie in Bellisas face appeirs, Then to my playntes I do the passage stapp 1596 Dalr. I 344/12.
Quhen Edward of Ingland vndirstude that the Balie had stopet the way of freindschip betueine him and France

c. To dam up, to prevent or obstruct the flowing, overflow, passage (of water, a stream).(a) 1480 Acta Conc. I 60/2.
He suld nocht draw the said myl damme throu the saide landis … nor stop the water one thaim without licence 1518 Dunferm. B. Rec. in Dunferm. Reg. Ct. 155.
At thar be vndir the myll qwel ane hek swa at the muk stuf … may be haldin at the heik and stoppin nocht the watter in tyme cummyn a1570-86 J. Maitland in Maitl. F. 285/18.
As furious fluidis with gritter force ay flowis And starkar stevin quhone stoppit ar the stremis 1575 Grey Friars 96.
The said Thomas may big ane stane wall langis the northt syd of the said stank for his entreis to his said yard … providing that the passage of the water of the said stank be na vay stopit be his said entre 1659–60 Dumbarton Common Gd. Acc. 248.
Stones for stopeing the wrong passage of Gruggies burne 1675 Edinb. B. Rec. X 422.
To make … ingynes called cleanging drills from the fountainehead to the weighous as shall be found requisit for finding out of the places where the water from tyme to tyme shall happin to be stoped 1668 Salmon Borrowstounness 69.
[He] did att his owne hand stop & dame up the said levell & water course 1677 Edinb. B. Rec. X 307.
The hie way … is pairtlie with midings and pairtlie with red … so stoped that there is scarce any passadge(b) 1554–5 Edinb. Old Acc. I 136.
For faill and stanis and to twa warkmen to stoip the Borrow Loch quhen it wes lettin furth(c) 1558–9 Edinb. Old Acc. I 287.
To vj men quha laid the fale at the loche quhair it wes lattin furth be Dame Lawsone; … to ane man that stappit [pr. slappit] the samyne agane efter that sche had lattin it furth, xviij d.

d. To stop (another's) aynd, to prevent the respiration of, cause to suffocate. ?a1500 Dewoit Exerc. 302.
Thir hevy straikis … causit ȝour precius blud to ryn rycht aboundandly … doun to ȝour eyne, neis, & mouth, & almaist stopit ȝour aynd 1513 Doug. vii viii 128.
The loppirrit blude stoppyt hys aynd onone

4. a. Of a morbid growth or discharge: To block, choke, obstruct (a duct or passage in the body). b. ellipt. and passive. Of a person: Afflicted with an obstruction (in (into) a particular part of the body).a. 1533 Boece 320.
Be ane catarr stopping the vane of the lichtis he deit 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 158/861.
A stone, which stops … The sliddrie vreter, carier of Salt vrineb. 1535 Stewart 37223.
Sic seiknes … It handlit him so hetlie to the deid, Into the breist so stoppit was and bun And all his bodie swellit lyke ane tun

5. To exclude, bar, keep out (someone) (fra a place, person, benefit). Also, to stop (oneself) safe from, to protect oneself from (something harmful).(1) 1514-6 St. A. Formulare I 269.
The fyre and the suorde that stoppit Adam … fra the yettis of paradyse mot stop thame fra the gloir of hevin quhill thai foirbere ther misdedis 1533 Boece 132b.
Be Gallis and Britons thai war stoppit fra the coistis foresaid 1533 Boece x 370.
Takin than had bene Camelodune gif fra kirnellis & the battelling … haleschot of stanys had nocht stoppit Scottis fra the entre 1560 Inverness Rec. I 44.
Thyr ar the nams of tham that dissassentit that onne fremen suld be stoppit fra mercattis with barkit leddyr 1567 G. Ball. 81.
The decreit, and scharp hand wryte, That stoppit vs fra the Father quyte, Furth of the myndis He withdrew 1578 Conv. Burghs I 75 (see Debar v.).(b) 1566 Mill Mediæv. Plays 262.
Scho hard Besse Tuodall call the minister commoun theiff; quhay wald stoip thair bairnis fra the plaj for him(2) 16… Soc. Ant. XI 195.
Keep and stop ȝour selff safe from the cruell and violent ayre that first shutts out of the pott for in it is the greatest venome in the world

b. To omit, excise (a name out of a list). 1642 Culross I 199.
That if any of the poor be found … one the streit … in tyme of sermon, to be delated to the sessione and their names presently to be steaped out of the roll and so to be debarred from that benefit

6. To push, thrust (a thing; once, a person) in (in til, within) (an opening, aperture, receptacle, hollow place), or under (water). Also, to stop in (something) (also, in a place).(1) 1456 Hay II 139/11.
Wateris of pulis and dubbis … oft tymis gerris the longis cleve to the ribbis of catalle and folk and stoppis thame within outhir in lychtis or lyver or melt a1500 Henr. Fab. 1880.
Sum [sc. birds] half on lyfe he stoppit in his bag 1585 Reg. Privy C. IV 35.
They stoppit ane naipkine in hir thrott, quhairthrow she wes almaist wirreitt a1651 Calderwood III 69.
Stoppe(b) 1549 Elgin Rec. I 98.
In the blasfemyng of Jhone Gadderar … calland him auld pikar theyf carll ye suld staupe him in ane peit … potellipt. a1400 Leg. S. xxxiii 458.
And tak he gert salt smal & stope in til his wondis al(2) 1558-66 Knox I 204.
A galay … was so doung with the cannoun and other ordinance that she was stopped under watter(3) 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1921.
Ane gife ȝour quhislecaw cry quhiche, Stop in ane wisp of stray — 1699 Black Bk. Kincardineshire 98.
And also she confessed that she staped in the two skins in a hole beside the fire

b. To stick (a knife) (in an outer part of the body). 1662 Lamont Diary 145.
[He] was strangled … and, fearing he sould recouered, a knife was stooped in his throat

c. To make a hole or aperture in. Also passive, of a ship: Holed.(1) 1616 Aberd. B. Rec. II 340.
The said Thomas … sall stop the north wall vnder the ground for macking a passage to the excrementis to gang throw the said wall vnder the calsie(2) a1651 Calderwood VII 573.
The waughters … discharged their cannons and played upon her. The Dunkirker was stopped quite through

7. To cram (a thing) full of (something), to stuff with (some material); chiefly, as an internal filling or padding. Chiefly passive.(a) a1500 Henr. Fab. 1450 (Bann.).
I put the cais I had bene deid or slane And syne my skin bene stoppit full of stra 1615 Elgin Rec. II 141.
Hew Kay … careit ane cott stoppit with streay wpone ane staff 1617 M. Works Acc. (ed.) II 70.
For ait stra to stope the pecis of ordinance with 1638 Edinb. Test. LIX 32b.
Sex reid and blew vovin cuschinges stoppit with calff 1683 Inv. in Donibristle Mun. (Earl of Moray's MSS) 16 (9-10 May).
Thrie cushins stoped with dounes 1693 Answ. Presb. Eloq. 39.
And therupon those bishops were called in derision tulcans i.e. a calf's skin stopped with straw to make the cow give her milk(b) 1639 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 243.
They stappe the calfes skin full of strae, and setts downe before the kow, and that was called a tulchan a1699 Skene Agric. MS (ed.) 69.
Stapp(c) 1685 Soc. Ant. LVIII 364.
A narrow twilt stooped with oull

8. To bring to a stop, cause to halt, prevent (a person) from moving on; to delay, detain. Also (once) with double object.(1) a1500 Henr. Fab. 2264.
I studdie quhy ȝe suld stop me Sen that I faltit neuer to ȝou a1500 Henr. Fab. 2794 (Bann.).
I am stoppit heir be this wattir greit 1500 Acta Conc. II 462.
The Lordis had ordanit him til raise brevis … and … the King had ordanit him til remain … tharefore it suld turne him til na prejudice sen he was stoppit bot be the Kingis command 1513 Doug. i vi 179.
Venus … baith tway, … with a dyrk clowd, closyt rownd abowt, That na man suld thame se … Ne by the ways stop or ellis deir 1513 Doug. xiii iii 106.
I … all efferit, quhen thou wald depart, Amyd the ȝet thé stoppit with sair hart 1533 Boece 308b.
The maist parte of Britouns fleyng fra the feild war stoppit be the depe wattir 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 213.
The laird … come to Edinburgh … albeit thair wer diuerse laid to stopp him in the way 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 289.
My lord Seytoun … wes stopit be ane horsman … quha shew him that the haill power of Leith wes liand about for his slauchter 1600 Glasgow B. Rec. I 207.
That thai [sc. minstrels, pipers] stope na friemen that is hable to gif them ordiner, nor to tak syluer fra ane to pas to ane vther 1650 Misc. Maitl. C. II 483.
The [sc. hangman's] cairt being stopit when it cam befor the ludging … that they might have tyme to insult(b) 1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 2.
On the way we was tuise stoopt by men of war to know whither their ware any seamen in it, that they might be sent to the fleet(2) c1475 Wall. ix 30.
He leit no word than walk off his passage Or Inglismen had stoppit him his wiage

b. To intercept and delay (something) in transit; to hold up. 1543 Corr. M. Lorraine 12.
By [= contrary to] all way of justice the saidis leters of the auchtorite ar stoppit at the signet be privet wais. Heirfor humile beseikis your grace … caus the saidis leters have passage undir the signet according to justice 1543 Corr. M. Lorraine 14.
I hard it murmurit in Strewelyn that thai wald stop it [sc. a consignment of wine] quhilk causit me to wryt [etc.] 1678 Adv. Min. Bk. 37.
The facultie haveing formerlie given commission to Mr. James Weir … to raise ane bill of suspension against the toune of Edinburg [etc.] … in respect for his dilligence and caire in ther affairs recommended unto him his bills at the Bill Chamber and his Letters at the Signet were stopted … They did recommend to the dean of facultie … to speak with Sir William Birnie [etc.] … towards the taking of of the said stope

9. To deprive (a person) (of some material or non-material benefit). 1472 Lennox Mun. 91.
Sen thair may na thing cum betwene the deid of the antecessour and the entre of the ayr that may stop the ayr of hys entre 1533 Gau 17/14.
Thay that stoppis … [others] of thair propfeit in ony maner 1533 Gau 24/4. 1564 Inverness Rec. I 116.
[He] confessit … he optenit and gat licience of William Fraysser to wse his necessaris in the locht, nochtwythstanding, he was stoppit of the said licience be the said William 1570 Bann. Memor. 357.
To speik with the erle of Sutherland; quhilk he was sufferit to do vnmolestit and was nether stoppit of letteris nor claithis, as is allegit 1571–2 Canongate Ct. Bk. 346.
Nor yit is thair ony law that providis the tutour of law quha is nerrest of kin to be stoppit of service for ony tutorie dative gevin privatlie

b. To confiscate (something) (from (aff) someone). 1611 Burnett of Leys 38.
Or that my Lord Burley^t or anye in his nayme be this meanes may stapp or seik geir aff pairteis and compone with thame; bot be the contrair he being constitute in this caice agent to his majestie be his meanes seiks out and caussis summond all that hes contraveynit the actis whome his majestie will haiff pwnishet in thair goods thairfoir

10. a. To prevent, restrain, hold back (a person, etc.) (from carrying out some action or activity). b. To prevent or avert (some act, action or process); to prevent (something) from acting or being acted upon in the specified way.Variously const.a. (1) a1500 Bk. Chess 309.
This lord … stoppit his sone that wald haue slane this man a1538 Abell 21b.
He wald haif slane his self bot he wes stoppit be his sistir sone a1538 Abell 28b.
Leonides Origenis fadir wes martirit for Christ and sa wald Originis bot his modir loket him in ane chalmir & sa sche stoppit him a1538 Abell 100a.
The Erll of Marche … segit it [sc. Perth] and had soyn won it and priuat consall had nocht stoppit him … that wes in gret pregidice of the reuym 1545 Grant Chart. 93.
All the foirsaidis personis … sall at the vtermaist of our powaris stoip, cummer, and disobey ony vthiris makand thame to haue entres to the samyn 1551 Hamilton Cat. 18.
Quhat remeid quhen we … may nocht mak our confession being stoppit with lauchful impediment 1557 Reg. Cupar A. II 133.
Thai sall … kepe the samyn fra thame self, … and tenentis, and all vtheris at thai may stop at thair vter powar 1566 Crail B. Ct. 17 Nov.
For hyme selff and all vtheris quhatsumever that he may stoyp 1567 Digest Justiciary Proc. F 23.
Gif they pleisit to speik in defence of the pennell upoun the perell of law they sould not be stoppit 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 171.
James erle of Mortoun purposing to haue cuming to Edinburgh … wes stopit be the laird of Grange capitane thairof a1578 Pitsc. I 14/21.
He beith obstinatlie dissobeyit and also stoppit vtheris that wald haue amendit thair offences a1578 Pitsc. II 34/19.
[They] thairefter past to Hadingtoun and heirfourtht to Edinburgh gif thay war nocht stopitt — 1657 Argyll Synod II 147.
The absence of thes breithren that are in the Iles … whose presence is stopped and hindered by ferries and stormes [etc.]ellipt. 1548 Reg. Cupar A. II 56.
Give ony of thame, … tholis or permittis ony vtheris to cut, distroy, or tak away ony of the samyn [sc. wood] vnaduertissand or stoppand at thair powar, … it salbe tinsall of thair takkis(2) 14… Reg. Episc. Aberd. I 250.
Item the Erle of Athole stoppis the bischoppis tenentis of Auchlochir … to pas by the [blank] rig 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 833 (L).
Sayand, ȝone lusty rout wyll stop our mate [E. or meit] Till iustefy thys bisning quhilk blasphemit 1509 Prestwick B. Rec. 41.
Gref further charges Wilȝeme Adamsone … that he wrangwisly stoppit him to led ane mydding of mvk 1526 Reg. Soltre 93.
Yhe entir our tenentis to our landis and stoppis thame to ansuer till ws and to our curtis 1531 Bell. Boece I 3.
He arrivit in the land of Numide; quhare he wes stoppit … to land 1533–4 Melville Chart. 76.
The said laird … stoppis him to teill his awin landis forsaid, brekis his plewchtis [etc.] 1561 St. A. Kirk S. 84.
The sayd Mr. Alexander stoppit hym to frequent thar 1562-3 Winȝet I 138/2.
It apperis to me … that ȝe haif sum grete impediment, quhare by ȝe ar stoppit to keip promise tuecheing ȝour anssuering to this our tractate a1570-86 Maitland in Maitl. F. 316/40.
Get scho credence scho will stope ȝow to thryve a1570-86 Maitland in Maitl. F. 321/18.
It will not be oure sorrow That will stope Godis hand To stryk bayth ewin and morrow a1578 Pitsc. I 42/17.
Stope no man to be brocht to the kingis maiestie that is ane maniefest trespassour or ane lymmer, bot be contrairie first to minister iustice withtin ȝour boundis as becomes ȝow a1578 Pitsc. II 118/20. 15… Justiciary Rec. I 154.
Stope no man to be brocht to the kingis majestie that is ane manifest trespassour 1622-6 Bisset I 178/13.
Litiscontestatioun is maid be admissioun of the lybell to probatioun and sua stopis and stayis all defences to be proponit thaireftir except the samin be emergent(b) 1517 Buchan Cl. II 135.
The lard of Wattirtoune sal not stoipe nor debayt the gudis of the Candelane nor tennands to pas throwe to thayr awin land to eyt thair gers and laubur thair land 1566 Breadalbane Lett.
As to ȝour diseis of ȝour byill … that stoipis ȝowe to trawell the best remeid is ane plaister(3) 1469 Dumbarton B. Rec. App. ii 3.
Balȝies of Glasgu was the first byars of the said wyne, and tharefter stoppit in the resaving of the samyn be the … communite(4) 1499–1500 Acta Conc. II 405.
He had ane lauchfull impediment and stop throw this seiknes of pestelence being in the partis about Peblis and be that stoppit that he coud nocht get his brevis servit(5) 1531 Bell. Boece I 144.
The Romanis war stoppit, all the simer following, fra ony forthir conques on the Scottis 1549 Compl. 176/22.
Munitius … vald gane stand and stop hym fra the takkyng of the said hil 1672 Sinclair Hydrostaticks 197.
While the coalhewers were in digging down … they were stopped from working by damps or ill air(6) 1531–2 Reg. Morton I 3.
We heirsay that ȝe will nocht thoill ȝour douchter to gif our hir fee of the said landis … bot stoppes hir therof a1578 Pitsc. II 3/30.
Desyrand thair cousall quhat was best to be done thairin to frustrar and stope him of his intent 1588 Aberd. Council Lett. I 26.
The saidis persones … come to oure … burghe … of purpois to haif enterit perforce thairintill … quha being than stoppit of thair wickit interprys, hes [etc.]b. (1) 1473 Acta Aud. 26/2.
The inquisicioune that was ordanit to be takin was stoppit and cessit be the Kingis lettres 1496 Rec. Earld. Orkney 74.
Alleging that the forsaid mill stopit the passing up and down of all fisch in the tyme of the roding 1533 Boece 168.
That the invasiouns of Scottis and Pichtis … suld thareeftir be stoppit … he … gart big ane thik strang wall 1533 Gau 17/12.
Thay that stoppis nocht thair nichtburs skaith quhair thay cane or warnis noth thaime thair of befor giff thay knaw it and thay ma … thay sine aganis this command 1535 Acts II 342/2.
It is declarit … that nane appellatioun fra sentence of desertioun of appellationis befor interponit sall stop the geving of sick lettres 1551 Misc. Abbotsf. C. 15.
[They] sall never wit the said Robertis Master of Boyd nor his frsaidis scaith bot sall aduerteis thame and stoip the samin at thair pouer 1565 St. A. Kirk S. 255.
Letteres for discussing of impediment proponit … to stop the mariaige of the said Walter 1568 Reg. Morton I 38.
Do all hyndir … ȝe may to the saidis rebellis and stoppe thair returnyng haymvart 1568 Skeyne Descr. Pest 19.
The air was maid dry and of gude odour quhilk stopit all forder putrefactioun 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 27.
Sr James stoppit the kingis meting with his vncle the king of England quha … having bot ane dochter wes willing to haif mareit hir with the king of Scotland a1578 Pitsc. II 80/16.
This wickit man [sc. Cardinal Beaton] that stopis the peac betuix Ingland and Scottland 1622-6 Bisset I 179/27.
Ane exceptioun temporall … stayis and stopis the intensioun of the persewer for ane certane space of tyme a1633 Hope Major Pract. II 55.
Nae privat seaseing, given be the superior to any persone efter the decease of his wassall, aucht to stope or imped the seruice of the breiffe 1698 Fountainhall Decis. I 816.
And so there was not only a litis pendentia but a litis-contestation there, which ought to stop any procedure intented here after it was made litigious in England(b) 1596 Dalr. II 17/15.
A man of a singular jugement and of sik subtilitie that he could, in tyme of neid, ather stap a trane or mak a trayne(2) 1531 Bell. Boece I 146.
Ane band of chosin men … to stop vittallis cuming to Romanis(3) 1558 Bk. Old Edinb. C. XXIII 103.
[He] has biggit and alterit the said dam and closit the said clowse … stoppit the watter to discend thairthrow [etc.] 1568 Skeyne Descr. Pest 18.
Gif superfluite or corruptioun of humoris be euacuat and purgit stoppand siclyk as gener in tymes cumming 1576 Reg. Privy C. II 578.
The saidis Provest [etc.] … hes stoppit the said malt to be inbrocht within thair fredome 1622-6 Bisset I 190/3.
This … aith is … used to stope the malice … of men, to pley, or to vex or trubill thair nychtbouris, maliciouslie(4) 1531 Bell. Boece I 147.
A band of chosin men … to stop that na brig war maid ouir Tay 1568 Hosack Mary Q. of Scots I 571.
The saidis Erle of Murray and Lethingtoun … promising if we wald consent to the samin [sc. obtaining Mary's divorce from Darnley] that they sould … restoir us in our awin landis and offices … our answer was, it sould not stop be us [etc.] 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 45.
Thaj send to Sanctcolmes Inche, to stope that na uther schippis come to Leith

c. In legal documents, esp. lawburrows, in the phrases to stop and (or) lat (let and stop), to (try to) prevent (another's harm or injury; a person from causing such harm; a mechanism from functioning).(1) 1497 Oliphants 32.
I sal nowther heyr nor see my said lordis dampnage harme nor scaith bot I sall warne him tharof and lete it and stop it at all my power 1508 Misc. Spald. C. II 264.
I sal nothir wit knaw see nor vnderstande his nor thair skath dede nor disherising … bot I sal stope and lett it 1588 Old Ross-shire II 4.
Except to sick as [gap in ed.] aggree [gap in ed.] nother [to] sie, heir nor understand utheris skaith [gap in ed.] bot sall resist stope and lat the same 1610 Red Bk. Grandtully I 110.
We … sall nether heir nor sie his skeathe, hurtt nor harme … bot sall stoipe and latt the samyne(2) 1560 Inverness Rec. I 47.
Gillepadryk Myller hes fundyn William McQueyne souerte that the myll of Culkabok and myller thairof salbe harmeless and skaytheles of hym bot as law wyll and all he may stope and latt onder the pane of law 1574 Inverness Rec. I xci. 1605 Stewart Mem. 115.
The seid complener … Innawayis to be trowblit be ony of the seidis personis … Quhom thay may stoip nor lat directly nor inderectly 1644 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 17.
That he sall onnawayes trouble nor molest James Cruikshank … and … his sone be word, work, or deid, nor be na vtheris quhom he may stop nor lat — 1481 Acta Aud. 95/1.
To prufe that he was stoppit & lettit be our souerane lordis lettrez of recognition … that he micht nocht vse his office to the payment of the saide xxx li.(3) 1520 Edinb. B. Rec. I 200.
That thai sall nocht walk nor thoill thar seruandis nor prentyssis to walk bonettis to na bonet makar at thar sex myllis, … nor at na vther myll at thai may stop or lat

d. In various legal contexts: To suspend or cancel. a1633 Hope Major Pract. I 231.
Quhen tacks are stoped be warde or nonentrie 1690 Acts Sederunt ii 185.
Where any act, decreet or protestation being pronounced, without debate in the cause, is thereafter stopped upon application of one of the parties 1681 Stair Inst. i xviii § 4.
Consignation … stops the running of annuals and all other inconveniencies upon the debtor 1681 Stair Inst. i xviii § 6.
And so farms being liquidate will stop the course of annualrent from the time of the liquidation

e. To delay, postpone. 1479 Acta Conc. II cxxxiv.
Sessioune stoppit quhill Merche in respect of the pest 1533 Bell. Livy I 278/20.
The tribunis stoppit thare jugement, for thai wald nocht suffir the questouris to haue ony commites for jugement of Wolchius quhil thare law war first astablit 1678 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS 31 July.
Decerns Thomas Carsan … to pay to Hugh Maxwell of Cooll twellff pundis Scots restand of nolts pryce but stoppis extract till Cooll depone anent the verritie of the said sowme now decerned 1695 Sc. N. & Q. 3 Ser. I 58.
Ordains ther proclamationis to be stopt till they perform the order of the church

11. a. To hamper, impede, obstruct, interfere with (the course, normal activity or functioning of) (something); to hamper (something) in (of) (an activity). b. To hinder (a person or animal) (chiefly, in some action or activity).There is some ambiguity between this sense and the preceding one.a. 1456 Hay II 141/23.
[Wine] stoppis the wittis of man and hynderis the knaulage c1460 Regim. Princ. 192 (Marchm.).
Thi jugis … Abusis oft tyme thair jurisdiccioune, Stoppand the law for lufe, frenschip, or fede 1511 Bk. Old Edinb. C. XI 107.
For gude reule … and expedition of cause … quhilkis ar gretly stoppit and hinderit throu multitud of peple that cumis in the consale hous makand gret noys and misreule 1527 Bk. Old Edinb. C. XI 115.
We charge yow that ye admitt na sic writtingis of ouris to stop justice a1538 Abell 3b.
Becaus thai biggit it [sc. the Tower of Babel] of pride … He stoppit thare laubor be divisioune of thare toungis in 72 ledis 1542 Reg. Cupar A. II 211.
Georde Tailȝour … sall laubour and graitht in all sortis our garding … orcheat treis [etc.] … for the quhilk he sall haue all the erd nocht stoppand our planting 1549 Compl. 59/27.
Diuerse massife cluddis quhilk stoppis and empeschis the operatione of the planetis c1575 Balfour Pract. 627.
Anent souldiouris and marineris that stoppis voyage, or raisis discord within the ship a1578 Pitsc. I 65 heading.
Slauchtar and murthure at the comand of ane Douglas was enemye to stop iustice 1663 Stitchill Baron Ct. 29.
The … inquest … finds the said Alexander Lowry to be guilty of the said blood-wyte becaus the said Andro first bedded the kylle and the said Alexander offered to stopt him and dispossess him … at his awn hand 1672 Edinb. B. Rec. X 129.
Not only the course of bringing in stockings to this countrie hath bein much stoped [by his labours] bot also he hath bein abell to furnish many hundreth dussone off stockings [for export] 1689 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIV 109.
Instead of reading the said proclaimatione for a contrabutione for the French and Irish Protestants he most barborouslie … did stopt, hinder and imped the reading … of the samen(b) 1669–70 Lauder Jrnl. 231.
They might lay the blame on the Presbyterians … and stoop the favor that was intended them of opening some of their ministers mouths and the truth is it did retard that better almost a year(2) 1549 Compl. 42/11.
The maister gart al his … men of veyr hald them quiet at rest be rason that the mouyng of the pepil vitht in ane schip stoppis hyr of hyr fairdb. (1) 1511 Alloway Baron Ct. 6 May.
He grantit that he stopit the evinaris & let thaim to deill equalie as thai wer ordanit 1513 Doug. xi i 44.
So that ȝhe reddy be and na delay May stoppyn ȝou 1533 Bell. Livy II 209/21.
It was nocht expedient that thai that mycht bere na armoure na wapynnis … suld enter in the capitoll, to stop the few novmer of armyt men that war in the sam[yn] a1538 Abell 5*b.
Franche men wan Royme bot a ganeris cry stoppit tham 1526 Douglas Corr. 108.
Thare has bene sindry dietis appoyntit for redres … as ȝit unkepit … albeit the falt is nocht in thame or me bot is stoppit thare fra for certane resonabble causis a1578 Pitsc. II 25/14.
He was stoppit be contrairius windis and vther impedementis and landit agane the third day 1668 Conv. Burghs III 606.
The … deane of gild … shall not haue power to quarrell, stope or impede anie burges receeding within the toun … that is can not challeng them nor force them … to enter of new againe as burgessis or pay anie thing to the gild box(2) 1559 Admir. Ct. Bk. (St. S.) 107.
Maister Glande … stoppis amd makis the said David impediment to intromet use occupye and dispone upoun his said thrid pairt hoy(3) 1507 Crim. Trials I i 108.
That nane of ȝow tak apon haund to lat, stop, trubil, inquiet or molest our said cousing … in the brouking … of the said landis 1531 Boyd Fam. P. No. 6 (3 Feb.).
Gif it happinnis … that [they] … beis molestit stoppit or trublit in the bruking and joising of the said superiorite

12. To put an end to, cause (an action, process, state of affairs) to cease.(a) 1513 Doug. iv ii 77.
Al the wark, … cessis and is stoppyt, baith of pynnakillis hie And byg towris 1513 Lett. James IV 305.
[James knows the preparations made against Henry's proposed invasion of France, which may make it] dangerous, and stop all concord 1520 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 201.
It is neidfull that the provest haue seruandis with wapponis till stope all troublis and evill 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 25.
Thair maist hie tresoun aganis the quene, pretending hir authoritie and stopping hir libertie a1568 Scott xxxiv 122.
Quhair lechery belappis, All steidfast luve it stoppis c1575 Balfour Pract. 269.
Gif the … ecclesiastical jurisdictioun ceisis, or be stopt be civil wars or utherwayis a1578 Pitsc. I 54/30.
The Earle of Crafurd being in Dundie for the tyme lyand, to stope all mischeif 1588 Prot. Bk. J. Inglis in Sc. N. & Q. I 37.
To thame that luikis maist scharple to it [sc. the eclipse] sall gaddir perpetuall blindnes thocht fors of thair seicht be stoppit be the devinis of the obiect of the same(b) 1604-31 Craig v 21.
For sterne must hee stay still, till you stap his sturt(c) 1660 Melrose Reg. Rec. I 317.
To stoope the said house bigging

b. To put out (a fire). 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 325.
[They] brunt the mane barne and Sanctgeillis kirk, and schot continwallie enduring the fyre, that nane suld red nor stope the samin

c. To prevent from, or cause to cease, functioning; to forbid the use of (a mechanism or implement). 1484 Acta Aud. *145/2.
He stoppit the said milne quhen scho sulde haue gane and als tuke vp the multer that come of hir — 1686 R. Brown Paisley I 92.
That the Bailie [etc.] … intimate to the minister … that he may be liable for a riot to them for cost and damage … and in the meantime will also stop the plough in case he presumes to till

d. To cancel; to rule out as invalid (a command, ruling, contract, etc.). 1456 Hay I 193/21.
Bathe the king of France and the emperour sendis him message on a day to cum to thair service … thus mon he byde at hame, sen the ta mandement stoppis the tothir 1501 Buchan Cl. II 122.
[Alexander Bannerman] gart stoip the graintour [erron. for gravatour] rasit be the abbot and convent of Kynlos that curssit thayme that put the kyrkland of Candelane fra thayr ald uys and possession 1637 Elgin Rec. II 232.
David Gray a man past fourscore and ten yeiris being contracted to a young woman, it's ordeant that their bands be stopit 1681 Dumbarton B. Rec. 92.
Whereby the saids magistrates … will very much facilitat thair work and advance the public affairs of the said incorporation and they will therby stope all impediments and tak off all doubts that have [been] … raised by such persons as are liable in payment to them

13. To cease in movement, activity or function: a. Of an animal: To come to a halt, cease forward movement. b. To pause in speech; to cease, through inability to continue (in prayer). c. Of water: To cease flowing. d. Of a clock: To cease marking the time through a defect in the mechanism. e. Of a process or course of action: To come to an end; ? to come to nothing. f. Of the action of praying: To cease involuntarily; to fail to continue.a. 1460 Hay Alex. 1372.
Mony a coursour suddanlie was slane And sume war woundit alsa fellony That gart thame stop and ramp and draw thame by a1500 Henr. Fab. 2521.
This wedder … stoppit nouther at bank, busk nor brab. 1513 Doug. iv ii 53.
Begyn scho wald to tell furth hir entent, And in the myd word stop, and hald hir styll 1590–1 Crim. Trials I ii 232.
That sche had foir-knawledge be hir wichcraft of diseasit persounes gif thay wald leue or nocht … To wit that gif sche stopit anis in hir prayer, the seik persoun wes bewichit; and gif the prayer stopit twyis, the diseasit persoune wald die … that gif sche stopit in hir prayer, sche wald nocht pas to the seik persoun; and gif sche stopit nocht, sche wald pas, and the persoun diseasit wald levec. a1500 Seven S. 765.
Now se ȝe sall Ȝone herbe that gerris the watter stop At all ȝone holis that neuer a drope It lattis cum of ȝone borit tre 1513 Doug. ix iii 111.
Tyberinus bakwartis dyd rebound, As thocht hys curs dyd stop and step abakd. 1692 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 313.
To make ane ingine to cause the pendulum and the four hands be in constant motione … so that the clock shall not at any tyme stope in her motionee. 1585 Boyd Fam. P. No. 69 (31 March).
And in the mintyme continowit the said matter unto the day foirsaid the quhilk day the said matter has stopit and na forder proces led therintillf. 1590–1 Crim. Trials I ii 232 (see b above). 1590–1 Crim. Trials I ii 234.
For the foirtelling, … that hir husband, beand seik wald die becaus hir prayer stopit 1590–1 Crim. Trials I ii 236.
Sche could nocht help the lady, in respect that hir prayer stopit; and that sche wes sorie for itt

14. To pause, hesitate, delay. Variously const.(a) 1498 Charter (Reg. H.) C.O. No. 83.
The Inglis commissionaris gif thai had had ony maner of auctorite be vertu of the said trewis wolde nocht gretly haue sykkit nor stoppit in that mater a1585 Polwart Flyt. 130 (H).
Stoup thow not at the secund chairge, Mischeivous mischant, we shall mell With laidlie language a1586 Maitland Ho. Seytoun 20.
Sr Alexander … if he wald have savit his sones he wald not have stopit for ane woman(b) 1558 Waus Corr. 13.
I wuld ye stoopit nocht to bring or send my coffaris with this berar

b. Passing into: To hesitate because of scruples, to scruple (to do something). a1585 Maitland in Maitl. Q. 52/57.
I ken nane now … To doe ane wrang that will forbeir Nor ȝit will stope for to remove His nychtbour baith fra land and geir

15. To leave off, cease (to do something). b. To refrain (from something).1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 833 (see 10 a (2) above). a1570-86 Maitland in Maitl. F. 328/42.
For na privat proffet … Stop not to mak ane perfyte vnite 1689 Acts XII 61/2.
Letters … ordering the Judges to stoppe and desist sine die to determine causes depending before them — a1568 Scott xxvii 16.
For luve … Thair sall no sorrow in me synk Nor ȝit in vane To suffer pane To stop frome sleip frome meit or drink

16. ? To stay, remain.Not recorded in this sense in English until 1801. c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 657.
This squyer … stoutlie stoppit in the stour And dang on thame with dintis dour