A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1475-1615
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Bissy, a. Also: bissie, bisse, bisie; byssy, bysse. [ME. bisy, bysy, bisi, OE. bisiᵹ. Cf. Besy and Busy.]
1. Of persons, etc.: Actively engaged, working diligently. (See also Be n.)In some instances approaching an adverbial use.c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace ix. 704.
Quhen thai off hay was ladand most bysse a1500 Henr. Fab. 248.
Thir small birdis, … Full bissie scraipand for to seik thair fude c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxxiii. 85.
The bissart, bissy but rebuik 1513 Doug. i. vii. 10.
The byssy Tyrryanys lauborand ardently 1513 Ib. iii. ii. 119; etc.
Mony marynar Byssy at thar wark 1548 Treasurer's Accounts IX. 238.
To be bissy in his effaris 1549 Corr. M. Lorraine 426.
My lord … is bisse to appont with his folkis [etc.] a1568 Scott i. 43.
Be bissie now to banisch all debaitis 1570 Leslie 3.
He was never more bissie occupeit 1596 Dalr. II. 467/27.
A faithful labourer … , ernist, and bissie 1615 Highland P. III. 273.
His companie ar bissie repairing the yll
2. Of actions, etc.: Characterized by diligence.1513 Doug. i. Prol. 119.
I set my bissy pane [etc.] 1513 Ib. vii. 34.
Thar labour is bissy and fervent 1513 Ib. iv. x. 11.
Mesyng thar bissy thocht 1533 Boece vii. i. 220 b.
Quhen he wakit fra bissy curis 1584 Reg. Privy C. III. 644.
The bissy travellis of sindrie inquiet spreittis a1570-86 Maitland Folio MS xiv. 82.
To pleis thy god set all thy bissie cure
3. In comb. with branit (brained), weyngit.1513 Doug. v. iv. 109.
The dow discendis soft and fair, Not byssy weyngyt, bot planand esyly 1572 J. Maitland Maitland Folio MS lxxxviii. 1.
Gif bissie branit bodeis ȝow bakbyte
