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

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Upset, v. Also: up(e)sett, wpsett. P.p. also wpe set. [Late ME and e.m.E. vpsette (c1440), vpset (1608); Set v.] tr.

1. a. To put in a (prominent or raised) position; to fix in position, place (upright). = Set v. 77 a, b. b. To erect, set up, build (a structure). = Set v. 77 c.There is overlap between these senses.a. c1420 Wynt. iv 2341.
The fyrst lettyr off his state That men apon his ymage wrate Quhen that it wes fyrst wp set [C. wpe set, W. vpset] 1513 Doug. ii iii 53.
Skarsly the statw was in thar tempill vpset [Sm. wpset] Quhen, all hir membris [etc.] 1513 Doug. ii x 202 (Sm.).
My spous … fell doun into the ȝet And litle Julus forgane his fadir upset 1513 Doug. v ii 115.
Sum othir … caldronys gan vpset [Sm. wpsett] And … the colis het Vndir the spetis swakkis 1513 Doug. xi i 15.
Ane akyn tre … Apon a motys hycht vpset has he 1596 Dalr. I 277/3.
This croce vpset heir [sc. on Stirling bridge] is to schaw How Scotis frome Inglis sall indureb. 1513 Doug. x i 131.
Gyf that thus belyve Troianys hes socht till Itaill to vpset New Troys wallys 1531–2 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I 100.
To four werkmen tua dais makand upsettand and doun taking in abbay the skaffalting for accusatioun of the Lutherranis a1595 Cullen Chron. Aberd. 61.
Thoicht wikitt Aman did wpsett A pair of gallowse lairg and layng

2. To cause to catch fire, to burn. = Set v. 77 h. 1513 Doug. xii ix 52.
Lyke as that the fyre war new vpbet And in sum dry wydderit wod vpset [Sm. wpset; L. immissi]

3. To set up, establish in being (a manufactory). = Set v. 77 j. 1619 Edinb. B. Rec. VI 199.
That [they] sall efter the last day of Merche enter thame selffis to the making of the saidis stuffis and upsett the said wark

4. To make good, make up for, compensate for (an injury, damage, loss, etc.). = Set v. 77 o. 1513 Doug. Direct. 33.
Quhar that I haue my tyme superexpendyt … God grant I may amend it, With grace and space to vpset this tynsell 1520–1 Dundee B. Ct. I 12 (8 Jan.).
Johne Cowper … ordanit to pay j lib. of wax to the said altar & vpset the skath of the bred 1535 Treas. Acc. VI 263.
Furnest to the ambassiatouris to upset the inlaik of the iiij^m crounis gevin be his grace 1536 Dumfr. & Galloway Soc. XXXIX 61 (17 May).
Geiff thair be ony nychboris corn ettin or distrowit throw the said dik he to pay and upset the samin 1557 Aberd. B. Rec. I 305.
Vpsett 1579–80 Comm. Univ. III (St. A.) App. 190.
Gif the burde be les nor the sowme contentit in the fundatioun, the foundit persoun will have the mair advantage; gif the burde be mair throw occasioun of derth, he mon upsett it with supplie of freindis for that yeir 1585 Forres B. Ct. 13 Dec.
Vpesett 1606 Rollock's Thess. 53.
The lose thou getst by deceite will neuer be vpset

5. p.p. Weill (etc.) upset, (well) proportioned. 1460 Hay Alex. 514.
His body was weill schapin as ane hors … Bred of the cheik, weill vpset on the chin; Hie browit and rycht wyde vnder the choke 1460 Hay Alex. 10233.
[Of people's appearance] Giff thai be nocht oure suak [pr. snak] bot mesurabilly Vpsett before … Weill favorit in the visage and the ene [etc.]