A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1569-1684
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Disburden, -ein, -ing, v. Also: -ene, -eine, -eyn, -ine, -yn; -burthein. [e.m.E. disburden, -borden (1532), -burthen.]
1. tr. To relieve of a burden or charge.(a) 1579 Acts III. 175/1.
Till it lykit ȝour hienes to ressaue the regiment in ȝour awin hand, quhairof I wes glaid to be disburdynnit 1611 Edinburgh Testaments XLVI. 278.
His said executouris … to releif and disburdene Iohonne Anderson … of all payment thairof 1613 Ib. XLVII. 264.
I … , willing to disburdeine my self of my worldlie effairis, makis my latterwill and testament 1658 Glasgow B. Rec. II. 405.
The towne is to disburthein them of the remanent of the saides houssis mailles 1659 Irvine Mun. II. 83.
To relieve and disburdine the saids proveist baillies … tuitching the payment 1684 Glasgow Chart. II. 227.
To warrand, freith, releive, disburdein and skaithless keep the saids proveist, baillies [etc.] … therof(b) 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 157.
The chairge of this hous, whairof I wisse … I mycht with my honour … disburding my self presentlie 1605 Aberd. B. Rec. II. 272.
The towne band thame selffis … to disburding thame of the taxatioun of fyue hundreth pundis 1642 Edinburgh Testaments LX. 52.
I … being willing to disburding my mynd of all earthlie bussines
2. To discharge or unload (a cargo). 1641 Acts V. 627/1.
To lose, loaden, disburdein, pak and peill all guides callit stapill guides
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"Disburden v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/disburden>
