A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1574-1688
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Imploy, v. Also: imploi, ymploy, impley. [e.m.E. and late ME. imploi, imploy(e (c 1460). Cf. Employ v.]
1. tr. To apply, make use of (a thing), expend (time), or devote (effort, thought), for some purpose or to some end.(1) 1584 Edinburgh Testaments XIV. 147 b.
Prouiding thay [sc. bells] be imployit for the vse of the said kirk to conuene the peopill to the sermon 1653 Peebles B. Rec. II. 17.
Which penalties and lyme the toune hes resolvit to imploy for building ane stone brig 1670 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. III. 177.
All vessells imployed in the said trade [sc. of fishing] 1673 Glasgow B. Rec. III. 167.
To John Hall, … for drogs imployed be him on the poor(2) 1585 James VI Ess. 74.
Let vs imploy that time that God hath send vs In doing weill 1625 Glasgow B. Rec. II. 564.
That Tyisday … ilk ouk salbe imployit in grinding of malt(3) a1578 Pitsc. I. 16/33.
Scho promeist to imploy hir haill cuire and laboris to bring all the subjecttis … to peace and rest c1590 Fowler II. 24/4.
Thair hail wittis spedely imploiit, to caus this apostat to put thair counsel to executioun
b. To apply (money) to a particular purpose; to bestow, lay out, expend (money).1574 Inverness B. Rec. I. 238.
The samyn [money] to be imploit vpon the kirk wark 1582 Aberd. B. Rec. II. 48.
That the yeirlie rentis of the same [hospitals] … be decentlie and ordourlie imployit 1602 Reg. Privy C. VI. 454.
The annuellis arysing of thir gersomes … salbe imployit that way 1652 Glasgow B. Rec. II. 248.
The moneys … [to be] imployit for the defraying of the commoun burdeings 1688 Wemyss Fam. P. MS.
A soume of 2500 merkis … to wair, imploy, and lay furth upon weill holding lands
2. To use the services of (a person) on some specific business.1586 Gray Lett. & P. 97.
The master hath remayned in hope to be ymployed in that seruice 1597 Misc. Spald. C. I. 174.
Christen Reid, thy callan, quhom thow imployit at all tymes to execut … thy … devilische devyssis 1611 Criminal Trials III. 148.
I was imployit to counterfute ane letter of ȝouris 1645 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 49.
The supplicants gude offer … that he micht be imployit for ruleing of the clokisa1651 Calderwood V. 222.
He promised frankelie to be readie, whensoever the kirk sould impley him
b. In p.p., Occupied, engaged, in some activity or occupation.a1605 Montg. Misc. P. ii. 25.
To pleis men vhen thou art imployde, Give glorifluikims in their face 1681 Acts VIII. 244/1.
All writers to the Signet, … imployed in writeing or agenting
