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: 1399-1420, 1476-1553
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Emples(e, Empleis(e, v. Also: emplece, -plez, -pleys. [OF. emplais-, emplaire. Cf. Enples(e v.]
1. tr. To please or satisfy (a person).a1400 Legends of the Saints ii. 809.
Hym sa till emplece Thai gert Rowme bryn vpe in a bles a1400 Ib. xl. 604.
That thay emples mycht God in hevyn c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 2254.
Thai leif all vthir besynes, So tham emplesit that swetnes 1476 Acts Lords Auditors 57/1.
And falȝeand of thir persouns will nocht be souerte, he sal gif hir vtheris that scho salbe emplesit 1493 Ib. 174/1.
Alexander … allegiit that he contentit and emplesit the said prior for the sammyn 1501 Reg. Privy S. I. 108/1.
To … dispone thairuppoun … as it emplesis Wilȝam Sincler 1533 Boece viii. xiii. 279.
The army of Vortigerne in the vantgarde, to empleis Ambrois, turnyng contrare thare awne chiftanerefl. 1478 Acts Lords Auditors 61/1.
The said Sir William to folou vther persouns for the said somme as it emplesis him 1490 Irland Mir. fol. 189 b.
Sene god has gevin him fre wil and arbiter to wyrk as emplesis him
2. intr. To be pleasing, to give pleasure or satisfaction (to a person); to fit suitably (to something).a1400 Legends of the Saints xxi. 628.
This Clement … Empleysit wele in Godis seruice a1400 Ib. xxviii. 539.
Ihesu … To quham I euir emples sal c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 1439.
That … they graciously Wald denȝhe thame to graunt hyme till, If it emplesede to thare will c1420 Ratis Raving 639.
Sic dedis emples maist to grace c1420 Ib. 884.
Gyf syk be thy qualytee, The warld emples[is] nocht to the
3. absol. To be pleased; to choose.1500 Coll. Aberd. & B. 318.
Licence and fredome to big … a toure and fortalice … and to rais the samyn to quhat hicht thai empleissis 1508 Reg. Privy S. I. 254/2.
To returne and pas again to the partis thai cum fra quhen and als oft as thai emples within the said tyme 1511 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III. 106.
My Lord, … emplessis the samyn remember your Lordschipe directit with me ane memoriall [etc.] 1553 Misc. Maitl. C. I. 40.
Empleise ȝour grace be aduertisit, I haif tareit heir thir aucht days bipast
