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

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Subdit, n. Also: -dyt, -dite, -dict, -det, -deit, -dut. [Late ME subdyte adj. (c1400), L. subdit- subject, p.p. stem of subdere to bring under, subdue (also med. L. subditus n., a subject, vassal).]

1. noun. = Subject n. 1. ?12… Reg. St. A. 368.
[Willelmus … Episcopus Sancti Andree abbatibus prioribus archidiaconis … rectoribus … necnon et subditis suis vniuersis tam clericis quam laicis 1397 Reg. Episc. Morav. 208.]
Inhibentes … legiis nostris et subditis ne … intromittant … in contrarium concessionis … nostra antedicte(1) a1400 Leg. S. xxxi 780.
His ded sample suld gefe To subditis hou thai suld lyf c1420 Wynt. vii 2378.
The kyng … That all hys kynryk … In till ane othir mannys hand Had pwt … Makand hymselff a subdyt [: qwyte] 1490 Irland Mir. II 108/13.
Quhen the pepil and subdittis lauboris with gret deligence to leir and kep the law 1533 Boece 416.
Gif he [sc. the king] be inclinit to vice it is seildin that subdittis obeying his seneȝeory ar innocent 1612 Orkney & Shetl. Ct. Bk. 17.
For keiping and retening the haill inhabitantis [sc. of Kirkwall] … in that civile societie amongis thame selffis that becummis peciable and guid subdittis(2) 1456 Hay I 188/24.
Quhat favour or fredome … suld ony man have, that war a subdyt to a king 1562-3 Winȝet I 94/25.
The prouestis and ballies of euiry burgh … suld be subditis to our souerane ladyfig. 1562-3 Winȝet I 8/28.
Thay ar … Bund subditis to the monstrous ydolatrie of auarice(3) a1400 Leg. S. xvi 772.
Sancte Maxymyn … in that land … duelt, & with his subditis sa vele delt 1442 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 307.
James be the grace of God king of Scottis til al & sindry owr liegis & subditis 1450 Edinb. Chart. 70.
Subdictis 1456 Hay Geneal. Sainteclaires 77.
Subdits 1503 Cal. Doc. IV 442.
Subdittis 1507 Edinb. Chart. 191.
To all and sindri oure … liegis and subdictis 1531 Bell. Boece (M) II 376.
Gif I war fre, and the Scottis maid my lauchtfull subdittis 1531 Bell. Boece II 452.
That the more amite … sal stand betwix the said nobill prince, and his subdeit the Erle of Douglas 1562-3 Winȝet I 3/1.
We, thy Graces humill subditis 1569–70 Reg. Episc. Glasg. II 585.
To … oure liegis and subdittis … greting 1596 Dalr. I 222/12.
Subdites(4) 1578 Reg. Privy C. III 2.
To ride in England to the greif and annoyance of the subdeittis thairof

2. = Subject n. 2. c1420 Wynt. viii 593.
By the Dukys awyne subdytis, That custwme is noucht worth thre mytis

b. = Subject n. 2 b. 1528 Lynd. Dreme 213.
In thare difaltis thare [sc. the prelates'] subdetis wer misgydit a1538 Abell 29a.
Cristis martiris wes slane for the faith hes papis & othir prelatis with thare subditis a1538 Abell 86b.
The werk of a bischep … quhilk is to the wtilite of thare subditis … that is lowabill and meritable