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.
Four half, n. [Half n. ‘side’.] (The) four half(is) about, the surrounding neighbourhood. Freq. with on.1423 Reg. Great S. 11/2.
Payand till ws … the malis for the forsaid stedis, as uther stedis payes, on four half about 1447 (1450) Ib. 70/2.
It sal be alowit … of the malis of the said landis as is allowit … on the foure halfes aboute 1528 Cal. Chart. Suppl. (Reg. H.).
With the consell off the … wourdeyst men off the cuntre off the ffourhalff all thair nerrest about the said landis 1561–2 Treas. Acc. XI. 156.
To summond ane assis within … Air and foure halfis about 1598 Crim. Trials II. 50.
The persewar … repellis the fyrst argument maid about the four-half-about 1600 Ib. 145.
It is alledgeit … that he cannot pass vpoun Johne Rose assyse, becaus he is nocht within the foure-halfabout 1622-6 Bisset I. 299/28.
The awner of the ground sall … call nychtbouris of the foure half about
