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.
Failȝeing, vbl. n. Also: falyhyng, -ȝheing, -ȝeing. [ME. failing (Wyclif), fayllynge. Cf. Failling.] The act of failing, in various senses.c1420 Wynt. ii. 56.
Semyramys … gert thame mak thare wpe assawte, Wythowtyn falyhyng or defawte ?1438 Alex. ii. 5222.
And [= if] I Clarus … May at myscheif or failȝeing finde c1420 Ratis R. 877.
Thar is a makar of al thinge, That gouernys thaim ay, but falȝeing Ib. 1579.
To endur for-out failȝeing c1475 Wall. v. 281.
He had greit dreid For failȝeing or he wan to a strenth 15.. Clar. i. 1024.
But failȝeing, My father was of Portingall ane knicht 1646 Baillie II. 368.
Their former failȝeing when most wes expected, will let us promise nothing till afterwards
