A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1550-1678
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Cleanse, v. [e.m.E. spelling of Clense v.] tr. To clean; to exculpate or acquit (cf. Clenge v. 5). Also Cleansing vbl. n.(1) 1550 Knox III. 38.
Your selves aught to haif cleansit and careit away the assis(2) c 1568 Campbell Love Lett. Q. Mary App. 47.
Thair wes the counsale haldin for the cleansing of Bothwell c 1568 Ib.
Bothwell wes cleansit werray strangely, as the process beiris c1610 Melville Mem. 174.
The Master of Gray … had summoned an assize of his own friends to cleanse him of the late King's murther a1650 Row 387.
The votes being asked, seven did cleanse him absolutely 1650 Lanark Presb. 78.
Ionet Couts had cleansed Helene Acheson, … whom formerlie shee had delated 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. i. xi. § 17.
Though Lawson was cleansed of the murder of her own child … the Justices … did ordain her to be whipt and banisht
