A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Hand-louse, a. [Hand n., Lous a.] Free from restraint, uncontrolled. —1596 Dalr. I. 304/9.
Quhen the peple, lyke a cumpanie of wylde beistes, hand louse, sa farr abuset this his wondirful lenitie a1598 Ferg. Prov. (1641) 4 b.
Better hand louse nor bound to an ill baikine
