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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.

Lat, Let, Lete, v.¹ Also: latt(e; lett(e, lait(t; leit; late; (lede, lutt). P.t. let(e, leit(e, leyt(t, (leot); lat(t; let, lait, leatt; lute, lut(te, luit(t, lwit, loot. P.p. lat(t)in(e, -ing, -yn(n, -yng, -en, -ne; let(t)in, -yne, -en; lat(t, let(t, leit, lyt. [ME. lat, latte (a 1300), lete(n (12th c.), læte, leate(n (12th c.), leet(e (14th c.), late(n (13th c.), laatyn (15th c.), p.t. let (13th c.), lete (14th c.), lette (13th c.), (pl. (Layamon) letten), lat (14th c.), p.p. i)lete(n (Layamon), leten (13th c.), laten (Cursor M.), let (14th c.), (e.m.E. letten, let(t), OE. lǽtan (ONorthumb. léta), p.t. lét, leort, p.p. ᵹe-lǽten (ON. láta, p.t. lét, p.p. látenn).The vowel-shortening in the pres. t. may perh. have first occurred in the (uninflected) sing. form of the imperative.]The common form of the pres. t. is lat(t and of the p.p. lattin, but let(t and lettin also occur from the beginning and become common from the second half of the 16th c., no doubt by influence of Eng. Except in senses 12 and 14, the pres. t. form lete, leit is rare. The p.t. lute, luit occurs f. about the middle of the 16th c. beside the older forms (esp. lete, leit).

1. tr. a. To leave, pass from, cease to speak of. b. To leave aside, leave to be dealt with on another occasion or by another. c. P.p., left, remaining.a. c1475 Wall. viii. 1150.
Lat I the Queyn to message redy dicht, And spek furth mar off Wallace trawaill rycht Ib. ix. 1882.
Lat I this King makand his ordinans, My purpos is to spek sum thing off Frans Ib. x. 547.b. 1498 Halyb. 133.
The ordynar costis not rakynit bot lattis it to his fadris cont a1568 Scott xxiii. 35.
Lat falset to vntrewth And trest to trow aganec. a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 456 (L).
I heir than Bot only ane remeid That latt is, and that is, For to cuit of the heid

d. ? To leave alone or undisturbed. a1605 Montg. Flyt. 516 (T).
They leit it, they lift it, they loif it, they lak it

2. To lat (let) be.a. To leave alone or undisturbed, also, to have nothing to do with. b. To leave behind, quit. c. To leave aside, cease from, desist. Chiefly const. object, also infin. d. To say nothing about, pass from, cease to speak of. e. absol. To leave off, desist.a. a1400 Leg. S. i. 505.
Bot Petir gert thame lat hyme be 1456 Hay I. 103/24.
We suld … lat thame be in thair free will c1475 Wall. xi. 182.
Quhat dewyll mowyt ȝon churllys at me? Lang tyme in France I wald haiff lattyn thaim be 15.. Dunb. App. iii. 15.
Sum, forswth, ar so opprest With luve, wer bettir lat it be a1538 Abell 79 b.
Sayand in deid, Lat thow me be I sall lat thé be and ay the pure is our halit & birnt a1568 Bann. MS. 134 a/7.
I hard ane sweit full softly say, ‘Ga way, my ioy, and latt me be’ c1600 Montg. Suppl. xxxiii. 84.
Thair wickitt lawes se ȝe latt be, To thame attend na thing at allb. a1500 Henr. Fab. 246 (Asl.).
Lat [v.r. Let] be this hole and cum vnto my placec. (1) (a) a1400 Leg. S. i. 267.
Than sad Symon, ‘Lat vs this be’ (c 1580) Alex. i. 2810.
War I chargit with nane bot thé, Thy wordis sould thow sone lat be! Ib. ii. 1965. Ib. 3801.
Lat ȝour siching be! Ib. 6736.
Lat we this speking be, And to our mater turn will we 1461 Liber Plusc. I. 384.
Lat be thi dull Ib. 388. c1475 Wall. ix. 173.
Lat be your wer, thir ar our freyndis at ane c1500-c1512 Dunb. xviii. 25.
Thame … That can not lat sic demyng be 1513 Doug. ix. Prol. 25.
All lowus langage and lychtnes lattand be 1535 Stewart 133.
Thairfoir lat be thi dirdum and thi din 1570 Sat. P. xv. 33.
Thow luifsum lark & gay goldspink, Lat be ȝour heuinly noitis(b) c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 308.
I counsell thé Sic interprysis to let be(b) 1375 Barb. xvii. 850 (E).
Thai wald he lete [C. leit] the sege be a1500 Seven S. 555.
The baire … ete and leit the gnawyn be(b) 1535 Stewart 7412.
Thai lute all battell be(c) 1513 Doug. ii. ii. 29.
All molestatioune cessit and lattyn be(2) 1513 Doug. iv. vi. 159.
With thi complayntis … Lat be to vex me, or thy self to spill c1600 Montg. Suppl. ii. 22.
To think me nocht constand, My bony burd, lat bed. 1513 Doug. i. Prol. 377.
Quharof the proces, as now, we mon lat be 1535 Stewart 23128.
To man in erd that mater is ouir hie, Thairfoir as now my self will lat it be Ib. 30014.
Thair namis now thairfoir I will lat bee. (a) a1400 Leg. S. xxx. 180.
Lat be, lefe, & of bale blyne, & be als mery as thu ma ?1438 Alex. ii. 150.
Lat be and speik of vther thing a1500 Peblis to Play 67.
Wys me, lat be! a1500 Henr. Fab. 1381.
My sone lat be, For quhat is it wirth to tell ane feinȝeit taill? a1500 Rauf C. 293.
‘Lat be, God forbid,’ the Coilȝear said 1513 Doug. xii. xi. 174.
With lowd voce [he] cryis, Lat be a1568 Balnavis Bann. MS. 139 a/63.
In tyme latt be, I counsall thé 1568 Sat. P. xlvii. 84.
Now better war lat bee, Nor to begin to gett ȝour selffis ane geck(b) a1508 Kennedy Pass. Christ 712.
Crist … said: Dochteris of Jerusalem, let be! Gret nocht for me a1540 Freiris Berw. 294.
Let be, fair dame, thy wordis ar in vane

f. From the second half of the 16th c., the imper. lat or let be, with the object following, was used as an adv. = let alone, not to speak of, much less.Also (once) to let be.(a) 1568 Anderson Collect. Mary IV. 117.
Any thocht that ever enterit in my mynd towards the liffe of ony mortall man, latt be of ȝour G. 1581 Hamilton Cath. Tr. (S.T.S.) 102/13.
Lat be to maik ane ansueir to that mannis beuk … Christisone of Dondie causit burne the same a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 352.
To clime the craige it was na buit Lat be to presse to pull the fruit In top of all the trie 1634 Maxwell Mem. 252.
The wallis … ar so decayit … that it cannot hald out beistis, lat be men(b) 1575 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 41.
Quhilk we denye neuir to be thocht be ws, laitt be to spek it(c) 1581 Hamilton Cath. Tr. 60.
Bot Christ, let be to bring another exposition … , be the contrare repettis the same eiting of his flesch 1590-1 Bruce Serm. 36.
We wald not haue tholled this word of the masse, let be the very action of it, to be sa rife in this countrey a1599 Rollock Wks. I. 324.
Or the half-hour be past the sicht of him is away, let be ane day or half ane day 1600-1610 Melvill 246.
He could skarse sitt, to let be stand on his feit Ib. 701.
They hard not sic a thing mentiounit, let be inactit 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. vi. 8.
To empty the bladder, let be the belly, about buriall, … was reput nefas, that is iniquitie, let be inciuilitie 1639 Baillie I. 140.
Shall even deanries, let be bishopricks, have the facultie … to metamorphose the minds of men? 1642 Ib. II. 5.
Any man, let be a young man and meer stranger 1642 Melville Chart. 172.
Who wittinglie wold not haue done wrong to any, lett be to him 1652 Protestation by the Dissenting Brethren 12.
Ill enough cannot be done to, let be spoke, of men … such as they describe 1669 Jus Populi 7.
And that without respect had to conscience humane, let be Christian, to law divine, civil or municipal 1672 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 157 (5 Nov.).
She is not able for to come out of her bed, let be to ryde or goe abroad about her lawfull affaires 1687 Shields Hind Let Loose 127.
Our madness … is not yet acknowledged, let be lamented

3. To leave. With other complements.

a. To lat (let) allane (allone), to leave undisturbed, also, to have nothing to do with. Also absol. Lat (her) allane, = you may rely on her, trust her (to do so-and-so).See also Allane a. 3 for further examples.(1) (a) ?1438 Alex. ii. 4640.
Now lat we thame ane quhyle allane 1533 Gau 5/19.
It is neidful that al pepil lat alen the orisons maid be men 1664 Rothesay B. Rec. 79.
John Ker desyrd he sould lait him alon 1683 Sinclair Nat. Phil. 316.
Ye might have let alane the precarious principles of Descartes(b) c1475 Wall. vii. 469.
The Scottis … Ȝeid to the wynd, and leit thaim ewyn allayne a1500 Seven S. 1255.
Than leit the Stewart thaim allane Past furth and maid a sary mane a1540 Freiris Berw. 427 (M).
Still scho sat and leit thame all allane(b) 1535 Stewart 15219.
Thai wald no moir persew To seig the toun, bot lute it than alone a1540 Freiris Berw. 415 (B).
Quhat evir thay say, scho lute him [sic] all allane 1581 Sat. P. xliv. 93.
Sathan … nather lord nor knicht he lute alane(c) ?1438 Alex. ii. 1267.
Had thay lattin thame allane samyn, Thay suld repent thame of the gamyn 1456 Hay II. 151/19.
Thai saw … that him behovit be lattyn allane and to passe till his naturale inclinacioun(b) a1651 Calderwood VII. 186.
He revived, and he said to them he was weill if they had lettin him alone ?c1675 J. Gordon Hist. II. 204.
Bailly had better lettne it alone(2) absol. 1668 Ayr & W. Coll. IV. 79.
He heard him say to her that he desyred her to lett allone in her tuilȝie, or otherwayes it should be worse with her 1668-9 Fraser Lawfulness of Separation 68.
God will not hear prayers when iniquities are regarded in the heart, and more thanks to let alone(3) 1540 Lynd. Sat. 827 (B).
Lat Hamelines … allane, Scho bendit vp ay twa for ane(4) comb. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1049.
Let alane maks manie lorden

b. With verbs in the infin., esp. (to) ly, normally with omission of to.(1) To lat ly (also lyg), to leave lying, also fig., untouched, unemployed, discontinued, suspended. (2) To lat stand, lit. and fig. (3) Passing into sense 7.(1) c1420 Wynt. iv. 464.
Thai … lete with[in] thare tentys ly All thaire wytalle swa assayid Ib. vi. 802.
In till a pwle … Thai kest hym downe and lete hym lyg a1500 Seven S. 1085.
For to lat ȝow slepand ly I stall fra ȝow full prevely 1548 Treas. Acc. IX. 177.
Licence to lat the said sparris ly in the kirk heuch ȝaird 1604 Dundonald Par. Rec. 66.
The said Kait Neill quhen scho sav it leit it ly still 16.. Hist. Kennedy 26.
Latt the samin ly still besyd him, as ane aw-bandfig. c1420 Wynt. vii. 2646.
The byschapys and the clergy Yhit he let [v.rr. leit] in cursing ly 1630 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 323.
It wer both sin and shame to lat thame [monies] ly unvared 1631 Dundonald Par. Rec. 338.
That matter is lettin ly over till farder tryall 1660 Glasgow Merchants House 40.
[A steeple] to lett it ly as it wes now being brought to such an heicht as it is, it will be a shame … to the toune and hospitall(2) c1500 Fyve Bestes 342.
Now may ȝe cheis to lat ȝour wourdis stand And tyne the cost or tak this tovne on hand a1500 Seven S. 1789.
Cuth ȝe … Get it & lat the myrour stand 1560 Rolland Seven S. 1529.
The gairdnar … leit the ȝoung tre stand still a1651 Calderwood III. 435.
[This matter] lettin stand over whill they come to the distributioun of the power(3) 1555 Acts II. 490/1.
Gif the awnaris lattis the ground to be vnbiggit 15.. Clar. ii. 1775.
To Windieschoir the King I let furth ryd 1562 Knox Ressoning ii.
So sone flieth Christ away & letteth hir [sc. the mouse] gnow the bread 1570-3 Bann. Trans. 391.
That none … missay the laboureris of the grund, but lat thame in peax exerce thair laboris a1578 Pitsc. II. 111/2.
They war the gladder to lat ws rest in peace

4. To set free or loose, to liberate. Chiefly with complements.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xlix. 207.
& lattine var til hire belyfe Barys & lyonnys hir til ryfe 1611 Inverness Rec. II. 86.
[He] luit him out of presone(2) (a) 1578 Red Bk. Menteith II. 412.
That … ȝe lett … Archibald Stewart … to libertie(b) 1559 Admir. Ct. Bk. 115.
Thomas Cottoun, knycht and admirall, … tuke them and luit all the personis abone-writtin to fredome 1579 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 119.
The saidis … counsall lute the saidis Somervales to libertie(c) 1538 Crim. Trials I. i. 218.
That ye will ordand me to be lattin to fredome 1562–3 Edinb. Old Acc. II. 181.
Quhan he was lattin to libertie 1592 Reg. Privy C. V. 752.(b) 1572–3 Ib. II. 186.
Lettin to libertie(3) 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 186.
[He] wes lattin frie a1597-1617 Hist. James VI 74.
Being taken prisoner [he] was condemnit to the death, but thairefter was lattin free 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. i. 66.
In other pleyes of felonie … he quha is accused vses to be lettin frie(4) 1596–1600 Warrender P. II. 431.
Johnestoun was also lettin lowse a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI 207. 1655 Brodie Diary 123.
The witch which wes letten loos a1658 Durham Comm. Rev. 404.
When these winds were let louse

b. To let louse (a hold), to release. a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI 286.
It hes not bein the custome of England to let louse onie grip that they haue hade of Scotland at ony tyme

5. a. To let (blood); to let (a person or animal) blood, or const. upon the person, = to bleed (one).Cf. also Blude-latting n.(1) 1456 Hay II. 129/9.
And in that tyme is … gude to lat blude in c1500 Makc. MS. xiii. 87.
Flebotmo, as to lat blud c1475 Wall. v. 760.
Now thow sall feyll how I oys to lat blude c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxxiii. 38.
Quhair he leit blude it was no lawchtir(2) 1491 Treas. Acc. I. 176.
To Domynico, to gif the Kingleve to lat him blud xviij s.(b) a1400 Leg. S. ii. 696.
Seneca … Leit hym-selfe blud of armis bath, And bled to ded 1507 Treas. Acc. III. 400.
To deif Andro leit the Kingis hors blude(c) a1500 Henr. Fab. 694 (H).
Me think that hennis ar sa honie sweit, And lambes flesche that new ar lattin [Ch. lettin] blude 1560 Rolland Seven S. 4572, 4, 6.
Than said the Knicht, Dame, rise for ȝour awin gude, On baith the armes ȝe mon be lattin blude. Scho said, Gude schir, sen my mother me bair, Blude vpon me was lattin neuer mair, And now thairof … I haue na will for to be lattin blude 1571 Misc. Bann. C. III. 119.
A vayne of my rycht arme vas oppened, I laten bloud, ten or xij unces — a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1785.
Your sait stinks, ye wald your fart were lattin blude

b. To emit, utter. c1420 Wynt. viii. 3407.
Lattand a crak, that men mycht here 1497–8 Acta Conc. II. 102.
Quhare ony persone committis ony sic trespass that the fischaris lat the cry and al … to folow the sade … reffare a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 772.
He let a fart farneyeir and [etc.]

c. intr. To discharge a firearm, to shoot. 1582 Jurid. Rev. IV. 109.
[For] bering and wering pistolettis, lettin and schuttin therewith at George Auchinleck

6. a. To let (land, property, a ship, an impost, an office, etc.) on lease or hire, to lease or hire out; to lend (money); also, to give for payment, to sell.Espec. in the formulæ to set and to or for ferme or male (also in assedatioun, ferme, few, feuferm, tak etc.) lat, for further examples of which see the various nouns and Set v.(1) (a) 1508 Reg. Privy S. I. 265/2.
Our soverane lord … settis and to male lattis to the said Matho samekle of the remanent of the said landis [etc.] 1515 Edgerston Writs MS. (Reg. H.).
The said Walter … setts & for ferme & maill lattis … all & haill half landis of westir Rariche 1557 Reg. Privy S. V. i. 50/2.
Settand and lattand to the said Walter [etc.] 1588 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 121.
To latt furth and sett in few … samekle of thair east and west commoun landis of thair commountie 1623 Aberd. B. Rec. II. 382.
The … counsall settis and in assedatioun lattis to Eduard Raban … the tounes new foir hous … for the space of ane yeire … and that for peyment [etc.] 1631 Highland P. I. 328.
The said noble lord … in perpetuall few and heretage heretablie and irredemablie lattis and dimittis to the said Allane M^cLeane … all and haill the foirsaidis landis(b) 1493 Cart. S. Nich. Aberd. 338.
The saide day the aldirman sett and to ferme leytt … the sondais fische(c) a 1350 Facs. Nat. MSS. II. No. xix.
Quod dicti abbas et conuentus concesserunt et ad firmam dimiserunt [gl. has letin] totam terram suam de Balgarvi 1502 Curle Coll. (Reg. H.) 27 Apr.
Ws … to haif set and for ferme lettin … al and hale the fermes and teind schawis [etc.] 1565 Ayr Friars Pr. Chart. 100.
Wit ye ws to have set and for male lettin and be thire oure lettres settis and for maill lettis [etc.] 1589 Rec. Kinloss Mon. 151.
We with avyis … of the said convent … hes sett and letten ane assedacioun [etc.] 1673 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS. 8 Jan.
The saids … hes sett and in tak and assidatioune lettin and … sets and … lettis … ther twa common ferrie boats 1680 Edinb. B. Rec. X. 418.
[The Council has] granted … and in feufarm lettin and disponed [etc.](b) 1392 Lennox Mun. 46.
That the saydis … haffis set and to ferme latyn [etc.] 1422 Stirlings of Keir 208.
Tyl haf wede set and in mouabil wede tyl haf latyng … al my landis of the Gallis holme 1472 Reg. Cupar A. I. 164.
To hafe grantyt, set and for ferm lattyn ane quarter of our toun … to John Sperk for al the termys of his lyve … the sade John … payand … ȝerly to ws fyve pundis 1525–6 Selkirk B. Ct. 116 b.
Alen Keyne … hes set and to maill laten … thre rigis of land 1571–72 Coll. Rebus Alban. 196.
Us … to have sett and in tak and assedatioun lattin [etc.] 1607 Aboyne Rec. 187.(c) 1549 Reg. Cupar A. II. 59.
Ws … to haif set and for maill and seruice latt … to our welebelouittis … our town and landis 1550 Ib. 73.
We … has sett and for maill lat [etc.](2) 14.. Acts I. 43/2.
Thair borowage to sell or to wedset or to ferme lat Ib.
That borowage to sell na to wedset na to lat to fee 1521 Grant Chart. 66.
The said Donald giffand and lattand to the said Alexander in parciale parthe [sic] of the said landis 1559–60 Edinb. B. Rec. III. 62.
The said maister Thomas was willing to laitt his said ludgeing for maill 1572 Peebles B. Rec. 338.
The inqueist ordanis the Venlaw to be let in gerssowmes to the maist availl a1585 Polwart Flyt. 200.
Whilk in ane innes will be content To leiv and lett ther hous in Lent 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. i. 52 b.
Ane thing lattin and receaved to hyre for rent and profite Ib.
He quha lattis or sets the thing for hyre, to the vse of ane other man 1620 Dunferm. B. Rec. II. 126.
Sundrie strangeris … ar ressavit & housis latting to thame but knawledge of the magistrats 1678 Edinb. B. Rec. X. 342.
Many horse hirers … doe let for hyre to the leidges many insufficient horses(3) 1497–8 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 72.
William Gray hes lattin the inliane schip to fraucht to the frauchtisman for [etc.] 1518–19 Ib. 187.
Tome Mertene … hes lattin his schip commonly till fraucht till the nichtbouris of the towne for thair guidis to be furit in Flanders for [etc.] 1525 Ib. 222.
Under the pane of fyve li. to be tane of ilk persoun that frauchtis the saidis schippis, and uther fyve li to be tane of thame that lattis the said ship to fraucht 1622-6 Bisset II. 254/16.
Gif it happynnis that ane burges hes hyred a house or lattin a schip to ane man for certane ȝeiris for ane summe 1660 Old Ross-shire 185.
The said … setis and for the fraught underwritten latis his said haill ship … to the said(4) 1439 Charter (Reg. H.) C.O. No. 49.
Tene pundis of vsuale mone … to me lete beforehand in my grete myster 1597 Acts IV. 120.
The personis quha lute thair money to proffeit(5) 1543 Corr. M. Lorraine 14.
Gyff ye will thoill ony wyin to be lettin to tham for payment, pleis your grace till adverteis 1662 Melrose Reg. Rec. II. 41.
[To pay … £8/13/4d as the price of a boll of bear] lettin [by pursuer to defender in 1661](6) 1566 Fraser P. 225.
Quhare the said maister Thomas hes lyt ... all and haill the auchtene parte of landis

b. To give up (a thing) on security, to release (a person) on bail, to allow security to be given for a person or thing. Also, to lat lous, to release (something arrested or impounded).Commonly to lat (let) to (til) borch (see, for many more examples, Borch(t) n. 3 c), also to borrowis, to band and to soverte.(1) 1397 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 35.
Qwha sa … wil nocht let thaim to borgh he sal tyne … the ravnson of that presoner 1427 Highland P. II. 157.
Rex, … that … yhe recognis in our handis the third part of the landis of Glastir … noth lattand the said landis to borch quhil yhe hafe commaundment of us 1476 Acta Aud. 53/2.
The Kingis hienes … suld let the said landis … to borche to … Sir Alexander c 1548–9 Armstrong Liddesdale App. lxxxviii.
Quhar ye haff presoners in your dungeon howr servands, we pray yow for to lait ws Gorde Armstrong [etc.] … to boros apon iiij dayes warning 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Plegius.(b) 1554 Prot. Bk. J. Mason (A.A.A. 6) 210.
For the quhilk he leit the said fence to borgh to the said William(c) 1397 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 35.
Al maner of prisoneris … sal be lettin to borght 1398 Ib. No. 38.
Lattin to borgh 1418 Liber Melros 540.
Us … til haf lattyn to borch … til … the Abbot of Melros tha landis 1496 Acta Conc. II. 29.
The sade Jhone … has consentit that the sade xj hede of nolt be lattin to borch and restorit again to the sade Wilȝeam unto Mychelmes day 1498 Ib. 185.
That the landis … aucht of law til be lattin til borch to him 1500 Reg. Privy S. I. 84/1.
[The Earl of Bothwell forfeits £853/6/8d. as pledge for certain malefactors who were] lattin be our said soveran lord to borgh to him apon the said soum, quhilk eschapit fra him 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. i. 4.
He may be latten to borgh(2) 1548 Armstrong Liddesdale I. App. lxxxvi.
Desyris the said lard of Farnehirst to latt ws Johne of Craggall to souerte(3) 1571 Reg. Privy C. II. 84.
All personis takin presoners and lettin to band 1573 Ib. 296.
That David Bell was first lattin to band to Edward Maxwell(4) 1525 Carnwath Baron Ct. (S.H.S.) 34, 35.
The said Robert alegit that my l. let him the restment lows & my l. deniit at he lait him na mare lous bot als mekill as com to xvi s. & viii d.

7. With an infinitive verb (normally without to): To suffer, permit, allow.Occas. with ellipsis of an indirect object.(a) 1375 Barb. xviii. 531 (E).
Your strenth, your worschip, and your mycht, Wald nocht lat yow eschew the fycht a1400 Leg. S. l. 656.
That thai … Of myn entent wald lat me sped 14.. Acts I. 51/2.
Quhatsaever he be that lattis his borch inrin sic scath 1456 Hay II. 147/23.
Na lat thame never have a fele in quham thou fyes thé maist c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 200.
Thy hostand hippis lattis nevir thy hos go dry Id. xlvi. 54.
[God] Wald no thing frustir put, nor lat be sene, In to his creature 1531 Reg. Soltre 104.
The said Jhone … sall lat nane wncuth gudis cum tharone a1568 Scott xxi. 37.
This lady is so gud ane gyd, Scho lattis me nevir gang on syd 1570 Misc. Bann. C. I. 48*.
And gif he be ane het man, I sall lat him play him ane quhile, and syne sall gif him … ane cowp de jarret and lat him ly thair 1581 Burne Disput. in Cath. Tr. 142/16.
Ye vse to plenyie that the cair of your childrene and familie lattis you nocht luke ouer your bukes as ye vald 1588 King in Ib. 213/27.
To late any be iniustly condamned or bannisched a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1841.
Ye will neither do nor lat doe 1622 Elgin Rec. II. 174.
Alexander Hepburne … wald nocht lat him sitt doun 1627 Misc. Hist. Soc. I. 87.
I inclyne to latt him byt on the brydell(b) c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 133.
Ȝit leit i neuer that larbar my leggis ga betueen … without a fee gret(c) (c 1580) Alex. i. 3041.
He lettis nocht … His fallowis chaissit be to neir 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. ii. 12.
Gif anie free tenant … lets and suffers his dogs to runne within his awne land 1661 Maxwell Mem. II. 306.
I haue had a scoulmester who lets non of his scollers go ignorant 1682 Cunningham Diary 21.
I have his band … which I intend not to let sleep after that day if he pay me not willingly(b) 1375 Barb. xiv. 306 (E).
Schyr Eduuard let [C. leit] na man chas c1420 Wynt. v. 5294.
Quhy God let Adam … And Eve syne in Paradyce? 1445 Melville Chart. 31.
He lete hym entir in befor the lauchfule tyme of his elde 1456 Hay I. 60/9.
He … lete thame litill wyn at his hand c1515 Asl. MS. I. 192/2.
The Saxonis quhilkis lete him neuer sit a daye in pece(b) c1400 Troy-bk. i. 542.
Quhene that he … Leit put hys sonne to passioune c1475 Wall. ii. 67.
He … leyt him nocht abide c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 389.
I … leit neuer enter in my thoght that he [etc.] 1515 Douglas Corr. 69.
I wald nocht ȝe leyt … ȝonn Duk steyll hyddyr by ȝou 1535 Stewart 39162.
The snaw also leit nocht the gait be schawin a1605 Montg. Flyt. 497 (Harl.).
Little tent to their tyme the tone leot [T. leit] them take(c) c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxxii. 34.
[She] lute [M. leit] him kis hir lusty face 15.. Dunb. App. ii. 71.
Deid … lute him nocht his testment mack 1535 Stewart 17601.
Into na land with rest thai lut him byde 1537 Lynd. Depl. Magd. 22 (L).
Thow lut Mathusallem leive nyne hundreith ȝeir a1578 Pitsc. II. 103/17.
[They] lutte tham noway labour bot so money as … payit thame … dewitieis 1582 Waus Corr. 256.
The Kingis maiesties cunsell, quha lut the dyettis approche sa neir(d) a1570-86 Maitl. F. clxx. 101.
Bot ȝour foirbearis … Luit wanweirdis wirk and walter as thai wald 1657 Sc. Cal. Customs I. 159.
Bessie Thomson … fetchit hom water … and luit it not touch the ground in homcoming(e) a1568 Weddirburne Bann. MS. 260 b/39.
And than with thay same giftis offir wald sche Hir paramour and lait him want no thing(c) c 1446 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I. 249.
Had he trowit ony richt, he had nocht lattyn it bene vnfollouit in his tyme 1456 Hay II. 140/26.
That the rasynis be … lattyn ryspe quhill all the bitternes and sournes be away 1570 Lanark B. Rec. 51.
Tua merkis … quhilkis the said Jhone wald nocht be latting gedder 1579 Inverness Rec. I. 271.
He … hes lattin tuay kye of myne be stikkit wyth the hornis of vther gudis in fault of hyrding 1591 Misc. Spald. C. III. 158.
Negligent counsallouris … hes lattin all common workis … alluterlie decay 1596 Warrender P. II. 311.
Thei have lattin nain preatche in Edinburgh hitherto 1619 Laing MSS. I. 154.
And if I war latine to do my best I hop in God to pay all my dettis [etc.](b) 1653 Brodie Diary 52.
That he be not letten reason himself into a pit 1635 Dickson Wr. 119.
Mercy is letten run like a river(c) 1560 Cal. Sc. P. I. 535.
It wes quicly … lett to birst out be the countenance of the baronis assembling thaime selves

b. Passing into: To cause or make (something to be done, a person or thing to do something, etc.).(a) c1420 Wynt. viii. 5681.
[He] bad hym then Lat thame cum hardely hym til a1500 Seven S. 887.
[He] thar devysit a subtell gyn To lat that hole still opyn be c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 308.
I salbe laith to lat him le, quhill I may luke furth c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus iii. 774.
The partie sythit as law will lat it be 1584 Sat. P. xlv. Prol. 104.
He lattis his scheip tak in at luife and lie a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1328.
Sarie follie lat the laird cut of the roist 1612 Brechin Test. II. 213 b.
Gif my bearne die that ȝe will lat hir inioy the heretable richt(b) 1573 Davidson Sat. P. xl. Ded. p. 277.
That I wald let my … grate mynd be the same appeir towardis ȝow(b) c1420 Wynt. I. 1528.
Scho let tyll hym be browcht no mare The barnys that scho eftyre bare c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 362.
I leit him be my lumbart to lous me all misteris Id. xlviii. 100.
This lady liftit vp his cluvis cleir And leit him listly lene vpon hir kne 1529 Rec. Earld. Orkney 58.
Thai … slew thame at the sey side … and leit the sea have thame away 1560 Rolland Seven S. 2964.
The officers … tuik the corps of this same heidles knicht On the gallous leit it hing day and nicht — 1528 Lynd. Dreme 1023.
All hir cannounis sche leit craik of at onis 1567 Sat. P. iii. 66.
In haist ane culuering they leit crak(b) 1375 Barb. xi. 484 (E).
The King bad thaim thai suld ma Na contenance that it war sua Bot lat thaim in to comowne say That thai come in till ewyll aray(c) 1535 Stewart 11925.
The bowmen … of thair schutting lute the Romanis feill a1568 Scott i. 83.
Thay lute thy lieges pray to stokkis and stanes(c) 1591 Crim. Trials I. ii. 251.
Weill, madin, haif ȝe lattin this be done? Ȝe sall repent itt fra ȝoure hairt 1596 Dalr. II. 460/27.
[There was] of hæretickis a counsel lattne cum in Edinburgh

c. With ellipsis of the infin. 15.. Christis Kirk 30 (B).
He wald haif luvit, scho wald nocht lat him a1568 Scott xi. 50.
Do ȝour devoir quhen that thay lat ȝow a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 376.
He is blinde that eats his marrow, but far blinder that lets him a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1210.
Na man can thryfe excep his wyfe lat him

d. absol. To allow, permit, give permission. 1567 Sat. P. vii. 95.
Gif laser lat, I wald resoluit be

e. To permit to be or remain. a1568 Scott xxvi. 7.
For quhy no leid vnleill thay leit, Vntrewth expresly thay expell

8. With particular infin. verbs or in special phrases and collocations. To allow or to cause.

a. Freq. with verbs of going, passing by or away, etc., in lit. and in non-material contexts.To let go etc., = to release, set at liberty (a captive etc.); to discharge (a missile); etc.(1) (a) 1375 Barb. vi. 594 (E).
[To] lat [C. let] him na wys pas thaim fra c1420 Wynt. v. 523.
Quhen men suld lat ga Owte off thare bodyis ryfftys off wynd a1500 Peblis to Play 151.
I reid ȝe lat him Gang hame his gaitis c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 63.
Birdis … lattis thair fulȝeit feiris flie quhair thai pleis 1540 Lynd. Sat. Proclam. 259.
Tak all my geir and lat me gay 1555 Acts & Decr. MS. XII. 221 b.
To latt thair guidis and geir pas furth of the realm 1567 Sat. P. v. 39.
Gif ȝe lat ga that is in ȝour grippis 1596 Dalr. I. 332/19.
To latt thame pas to Scotland(b) c1400 Troy-bk. i. 585.
All the planettes … He may thame louse & lete go by(c) c1600 Montg. Suppl. v. 6.
I sall lett all thai flanis fle bay 1596 Dalr. I. 140/30.
He lettis thame passe(b) 1375 Barb. i. 629.
The King … let hym with the lettir passe c1420 Wynt. iii. 112.
Gedeon … lete all the lave ga by(b) a1400 Leg. S. ii. 173.
Nero … leit Paule a quhill ga c1475 Wall. v. 568.
Quham he handlyt he leyt no forthir pas 1513 Doug. v. xiii. 123.
Thar renȝeis and thetys … With hys awin handys [he] leit do slyp and slakkis Ib. xi. xv. 137. Ib. xii. viii. 133.
All kynd of … ire now he Leyt slyp at large … with renȝeis fre 1535 Stewart 576.
Quhair wes my wit that leit ȝow fra me fair 1571 Sat. P. xxviii. 107.
I leit thame pas gude chaip(c) 1535 Stewart 623.
He lute thame pas ther wa a1585 Maitl. Q. lxii. 64.
[They] tuik thair geir and luit thame selfis slip 1591 St. A. Kirk S. 714.
Quhen he com to the Nether Burn he lichtit and luit the hors gang fra him(d) 1584 Sat. P. xlv. 898.
[He] Gave him the geck and lat [v.r. let] him gea(e) ?1438 Alex. i. 52.
The laif he let to Forray ga(c) a1400 Leg. S. xliii. 274.
First he tholit hyme-self ta, At as man suld be lattine ga, That had bene haldine lang in syne c1475 Wall. ii. 389.
Wallace wald haif lattyn thaim ga a1578 Pitsc. I. 53/10.
The men was lattin pase frelie fortht … and the castell cassin doun 1596 Dalr. II. 205/29.
The innocent put doun, the giltie latne gang frie(b) c1650 Spalding I. 269.
Our merchand schippis … thair goodis war loissit … and the men lettin go(c) 1572 Buch. Detect. 63.
Scho that had now leit him eschaip to go and die(2) 1581 Bann. Memor. 334.
The men lat thair gripis gang thair, that he mycht gange in him alone(3) a1400 Leg. S. xxix. 976.
Lyons los [they] lat to thaim ga(4) 1513 Doug. v. ix. 29.
Ȝong Hippocaon … A quhidderand arow leyt spang fra the stryng Ib. ix. ix. 23.
Turnus … Ane byrnand bleis leyt [R. lete] at the fortres glyde 1535 Stewart 54154.
The Scottismen … Sa mony arrow ouir the wall luit pas c1650 Spalding (B.C.) I. 109.
Ane sudden fray … throw occasion of ane shot rakelesslie lettin go(5) 1513 Doug. vii. vi. 13.
Thys wikkyt goddes towart hir alsfast Ane of hir slymy serpent haris dyd cast, Deip in hir bosum leyt inslip Ib. x. xi. 74.
Dovn from the hevyn scho leyt hir selvyn slyde(6) (a) c1420 Wynt. i. 170.
The Bybyll tellys it opynly, Thar-for I lat it nowe ga by 1456 Hay I. 275/6.
Sen it plesis thaim, the best is to lat it pas throu dissimilacioun c1420 Ratis R. 1423.
The fyfte eild … waistis wynyng al away And lattis our-dryf fra day to day c1475 Wall. i. 3.
Our antecessowris, that we suld of reide … We lat ourslide a1500 Colk. Sow i. 24.
Latting wirschep to go will c1500-c1512 Dunb. lv. 2.
Madam, ȝour men sad thai wald ryd And latt this fasterennis ewin ower slyd 1520 Dunferm. B. Rec. 205.
Gif it sal happyn the said James … to lat thre termes annuel byryne vnpayit c1552 Lynd. Mon. 5286.
Elie … Of quhame I follow the sentence And lattis the uther bukis ga hence 1560 Reg. Privy S. MS. XXX. 50 b.
The wardane … sall nocht latt ony denier of gold and siluer pas without it be of the richt wecht a1570-86 Maitl. F. xxxix. 245.
Thair is na punissing bot latis it our pas 1596 Dalr. I. 346/30.
In the meane tyme I latt passe quhat he did in S. Jhones toun(b) 1536 Lynd. Answ. Flyting 46.
[You] rin schutand frome schell to schell, … lettand the tyme ouerslyde 15.. Clar. iv. 1655.
It war prolix, thairfor I let it go 1560 Rolland Seven S. 7633.
[To] let the deid hyne ga(b) a1400 Leg. S. xviii. 1148.
He leite that haly tyme ga by 1513 Doug. xi. xv. 66.
Bot for the tother part, … He leit do waif with the swyft wynd away 1535 Stewart 17277.
Lyke ane dreme he leit all by him pas(c) 1527 Armstrong Liddesdale App. xxiii.
Sumtymis … ourlukyt and lattin pas but redres

b. To allow or to cause (a liquid to flow out). c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxiii. 85.
[Or] lat the venim ische all out 1596 Dalr. II. 95/3.
Jhone, Erle of Marr … was conuict of conspiracie … a vane thairfor cuttit in his body, al the blude of his body is lattne out bleid at the samyn

c. To lat fall, to let fall, drop. Also transf. and fig.(1) (a) 1375 Barb. xvii. 622.
Thai flaggatis … gif the sow come to the wall Till lat thame byrnand on hir fall 1513 Doug. xi. xv. 104.
Hys taill … Vnder hys waym [he] lattis fall abasytly 1549 Compl. 40/27.
The maistir … cryit, Tua men abufe to the foir ra … and lat the foir sail fal 1590 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 151.
Byting of hir throuch the arme and latting the peice flesche quhilk scho bait fall in the watter 1590 Crim. Trials I. ii. 211.
And [they] sould nevir latt ane teir fall fra thair ene(b) 1375 Barb. x. 232 (E).
He than lete [C. leyt] the gad wand fall c1475 Wall. i. 241.
Scho … A soudly courche our [sc. Wallace's] hed and nek leit fall Ib. iv. 39.
Thai cutt the brays & leyt the harnes faw a1500 Seven S. 1410.
Scho grat and leit the teris fall 1513 Doug. ii. x. 13.
Sum in the fyre thar irkit bodeis leit fall 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6960.
Ane bill of lufe to him scho leit doun fall Ib. 9820.
Ane small gold ring … [he] into the coup leit fall(b) 1535 Stewart 20538.
Tha … Drew draw briggis, and lute portculȝeis fall 1600 Crim. Trials II. 156.
Mr. Thomas … being jowp alane, lwit his clok fall and … drew furth his suord(c) a1400 Leg. S. ii. 20.
In Damase atoure the wall In a creile he wes latin fall 1492 Myll Spect. 289/9.
At a trape within hire chalmare … thai ware lattyn fall doun 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 297.
Great gistis … lattin fall on thame clymmand 1602 Conv. Burghs II. 144.
Except it be that the buy raip brak sen the anker was lattin fall in the watter(2) transf. and fig. a1585 Maitl. Q. xxvii. 14.
That God for syn will lat ws fa Into mischeif and oft perrell 1567 G. Ball. 103.
Ȝit leit thow nocht me fall in sic ane sort 1638 Baillie I. 35.
This is done very secretlie; to the gentry and ministrie is letten fall only a small generall 1697 Penninghame Par. Rec. 9.
The process being let fall when Mr. Cobham went hence, the Session thinks fit to revive the processe again

d. To lat se, to show.(a) a1570-86 Clapperton Maitl. F. lxxix. 43.
I suld … lat thame se my ȝallow hair c1568 Lauder Minor P. i. 130.
The text this latts ws se a1578 Pitsc. I. 117/26.
He wald lat the king sie that he cuild break thame Ib. 252/17.
Lattand thame sie the order of his schipe Ib. 344/3.
Thairfoir the king left the effectt of the instrumentis behind him to lat Lord William sie that he had beine thair 1596 Dalr. I. 10/13.
To lat sie quhan danger is, thay kindle bleises in tour heidis 1630 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 314.
Ye sall … latt thame sie the saids evidentis … and thairefter to schaw thame to the Erll of Mar(b) 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 207.
I am assurit that neuer he or na vther man is hable to lait see any sic lettres of myne(b) a1400 Leg. S. ii. 1044.
His ferlyis he leit thame se 1670 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 82 (14 ? July).
Quhat old men leatt you sea and told that thes was the merches(b) a1568 Maitland Bann. MS. 13b/152.
Swa God lute thé sie 1567 Digest Justiciary Proc. F. 39.
Peter Hammiltoun … lute him sie ane pair of hals beidis qwiche [etc.] a1578 Pitsc. I. 117/13.
This bischope luit this nobill prince sie … how he micht invaid aganis the vproir of the conspiratouris Ib. II. 51/1.
[He] lut thame sie the wreitting quhat was to happin a1585 Maitl. Q. xlvi. 165.
He … luit him sie his sonis sonis seid 1608 Crim. Trials III. 45.
Quhair the deponer lute my lord see the lairdis answer in wryte 1621 Maxwell Mem. I. 328.
To ane man that lutte ȝour mastership sie the castell(c) a1400 Leg. S. xxvii. 91.
God had latine hym se that sycht 1591 Waus Corr. 475.
I … culd nocht gudlie send ane anser with the bearare, quhill I had lettin Balmaghe se the samyn(b) c 1690 Dunlop P. III. 65.
I assure you they ware let sie to severalls

e. With verbs of knowing or understanding: To lat (one) wit, knaw, understand etc., to make known to (the person), to make aware or to inform (of); to lat wit, to let it be known; to lat to understand, to give to understand. Variously const.(1) (a) a1400 Leg. S. xv. 70.
We lat ȝow wyt, … That of Lord Criste Jhesu … We are the seruandis Ib. xix. 204.
He to thé thare suld apere Thé latand wit … That thu had fundyne that thou socht Ib. l. 818.
Of thire twa ches thé ane … & lat me wit but fengeit fare 1390 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 20.
We lat yhow fully wyt [etc.] 1401 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 380.
Sends ws word and we sal late hym wit 1416 Red Bk. Menteith I. 286.
As the berare of this letter … sale lat yhow wit 1446 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 312.
Latand ȝhow wit that we hafe tane souertee … of the said Robert a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 563.
I lat ȝou wit, thair is richt few thairout Quhome ȝe may traist a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 362.
I latt thé wit I have land, store and stakkis a1540 Freiris Berw. 56.
Latt no man wit that I can do sic thing a1568 Jok & Jynny 43.
I latt ȝow wit schos nocht miskareit 1599 Warrender P. II. 170.
To latt yow to wit that ye abuse his godlie law(b) 1572 Buch. Detect. 140.
I bad him tak heid that he leit na body wit thairof(b) a1400 Leg. S. xii. 114.
Scho let hym wyt … that he wes but a fundlynge Ib. xxx. 89.
He leit hyr wyt in sum party His wil Ib. 96.
He hyr leit wit vtrely That othyr worthyt hym to sped [etc.] 1400 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 48.
Thai … leite him wit … qwar the schip was rydand 1401 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 380.
The lord of Keth arestit yhur wyn and yhur oxin, and for gud causis as he lete ws wit c1420 Wynt. vii. 110.
And the Kyng … Let na man wyt off thare discord 1513 Doug. vii. vii. 140 (R).
He was yneuch for baith, he lete thame wit(c) a1400 Leg. S. xxxi. 508.
Fra scho haf lattyn hym wit hir wil(2) 1560 Rolland Seven S. 4490.
Ane key ȝe sall into the buirdclaith knit, … not latting wit That ȝe did sa Ib. 9383.
Alexander tuik gude nicht, Latting na wit vnto his ladie bricht 1596 Dalr. II. 454/19.
To put by al suspitione or ony way to lat wit that he was to begyle(3) 1533 Boece vii. i. 220 b.
Thai … lete the remanent armye … haue knaulege thareof c1590 Fowler I. 241/43.
I suld prease to latt the world know Quhat furious rage [etc.] 1607 Highland P. III. 101.
We … beseik ȝour Maiestie to latt us knaw hou far we sall go with the Marquis 1614 Ib. 147.
To latt your lo. know that we had [etc.] 1638 Black Bk. Taymouth xxi.
Quhen your lordship plaissis your lordship may lede my lorde knau it(4) 1533 Boece i. vi. 47 b.
Yesterday … thow lete ws feill thi mynde(5) c1568 Lauder Minor P. iv. 6.
In this realme, I lat thé vnderstand, And thow layk … geir, Thow will be lytill regardit 1566 Anderson Collect. Mary I. 46.
Quhat other thing ȝe think mete to be done … we pray ȝow latt us understand a1578 Pitsc. I. 25/8.
[He] wald bring thame … in the Kingis sicht to lat him understand his michtie power 1584 Bk. Old Edinb. C. XV. 37.
In considderatioun that it was lattin thame to understand that [etc.] 1596 Dalr. I. 114/24.
To lat thame undirstand that the welth of our King may [etc.] Ib. II. 419/18.
He latis the King vnderstand [etc.] 1632 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 368.
Farder ye may lat the lordis understand [etc.](b) 1615 Black Bk. Taymouth 48.
For laweris luit his Maiestie to wnderstand that [etc.](6) 1622-6 Bisset I. 38/30.
We lat to understand [F. scauoir faisons] that … [we] haif permitted [etc.]

f. To lat heir, to tell, inform. ?1438 Alex. ii. 53.
‘Quhan thow come, for God lat heir’ 1570 Sempill Sat. P. xii. 102.
Barronis, be blyith, … And lat vs heir quhairfoir ȝe hapnit hidder

g. To lat fle, lat gird, also draw, dryfe, to let fly, strike out.See also Fle v.¹ 2 (1), Gird v.¹ 3 b, for further examples.(1) a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 978.
With ane bright brand … He leit fle to the freke 1513 Doug. ix. ix. 21.
Troianys … At euery part … The grundyn dartis leyt down fle Ib. xii. 43.
The tother tho a huge speir of haill tre leyt fle In al his fors a1540 Freiris Berw. 526.
With that Symon ane felloun flap leit flie c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 726.
The Scottis … Of gunnis … leit fle ane flicht(2) a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 934.
With ane bitand brand … He leit gird to the grome Ib. 1123. 1513 Doug. x. viii. 103.
A bustuus lance … he … Leyt gyrd at Pallas(3) c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 1552.
[He] sat vpoun ane nobill hors of pryce, Leit draw at ane callit Parrot de Galis, And to the ground baith hors and man he struke c1475 Wall. xi. 112.
The fyrst leit draw at Wallace with his sith 1538 Lynd. Justing 47.
James leit dryfe at Johne with boith his fystis

h. In other phrases, without indirect object.To let draw, to withdraw. — a1500 Henr. Fab. 1067.
‘For Goddis lufe, my lord, gif me the law Of this lurker’; with that Lowrence let draw 1587-99 Hume 42/43.
When irefullie Antiochus from Persia lute draw — a1568 Gyre-carling 12.
The carling luche and lut fart North Berwick Law — 1513 Doug. v. iv. 20.
Rycht betwix the rolk and Gyas schyp On bawbord fast the innar way he leyt slyp

i. To let go (wort), cf. 8 b. - 1643 Reid Auchterarder 204.
And also be applying of any pynt of new lettin goe wirt to everie ox be his ... witchcraft cured the said oxen

9. In the imperative: Permit or cause.(a) 1375 Barb. i. 498.
Lat me ta the state on me a1400 Leg. S. l. 218.
Gyf thu king will be, In thocht lat resone gowerne thé c1450-2 Howlat 742.
Fro thi gre to this ground lat thi grace glyde a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 826.
Lat the riche man rage … Syne dele ye your dynt c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 45.
Lat him lay sax leichis on thy lendis Id. xx. 3.
Behold and heir, and lat thy tung tak rest Ib. lxi. 59.
Schir, latt it nevir in toun be tald [etc.] 1560 Rolland Seven S. 236.
Lat ane message to thame be send c1568 Lauder Minor P. i. 638.
Lat your werks and wourds aggre togidder 1567 G. Ball. 196.
Preistis … lat abiuring go 1571 Sat. P. xxvii. 116.
Be nocht sylitt … Nor latt thy selff be led vpoun the yce 1586–7 Rait & Cameron King James's Secret 48.
And withall lat him onderstand that albeit sche wold spair hir lyff [etc.] 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 11.
Lat thea childer want the heidis 1594 Maxwell Mem. II. 6.
Late ws haif your ansuer 1600 Crim. Trials II. 198.
‘How dois his Majestie? Lat us sie his face’(b) 1565 Reg. Morton I. 14.
Lett her L. be satisfeit anentis thai x chalderis victual 1573 Sat. P. xl. 361.
Let not the lufe of this lyfe temporall … Stay ȝow to cois with lyfe celestiall(c) c1600 Montg. Suppl. 244/32.
Lord … leit this cup frome me depairtt

b. Passing into a usage where the imper. with noun or 3rd or 1st personal pron. object serves as an auxiliary with imperative or optative effect: Let or may (something come about), let (us do so-and-so), etc.Here the imper. is no longer addressed to a specific person, rather the person addressed is quite lost sight of (though the imper. may be thought of as addressed vaguely to some abstraction such as Providence or Fortune or to the Deity).(1) 1375 Barb. i. 78.
Lat him ryng that had the rycht a1400 Leg. S. i. 435.
Lat Petir tel quhat I think now! ?1438 Alex. i. 340.
Lat God wirk syne quhat euer he will! a1500 Rauf. C. 212.
Lat the cop raik for my bennysoun a1500 Seven S. 1452.
Scho said, Lat him ga to the devill c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlviii. 125.
Lat no fowll of ravyne do efferay c1536 Lynd. Compl. Bagsche 19.
I pray God lat hym neuer do weill c1552 Id. Mon. 676, 8.
Latt poetis schaw thare glorious ingyne, As euer thay pleis, in Greik or in Latyne, Bot lat ws haif the bukis necessare To … our saluatioune Justlye translatit in our toung vulgare 1562-3 Winȝet I. 37/13.
Quhat strenth had his armour of defence thair, lat cunning men iuge Ib. II. 52/23.
Quhatsumeuir thing … be brocht in of new … that thing lat him vndirstand to pertene nocht to religioun Ib. 72/21.
Latt heir be an end of this memorial 1567 G. Ball. 6.
Lat euerie man examine him self, and lat him eit of this breid, & drink of this coupe 1567 Sat. P. iii. 104.
I pray God lat thame se ane ioyfull houre c1590 J. Stewart 35/175.
Cause them approtche vith speid and lat me die 1596 Dalr. I. 120/25, 31, 121/3, etc.
Lat be in euerie prouince of our cuntrey men of law … The law tables … onlie thir lat keip … . Lat him quha is conuicte of thift be hanget … [etc.] 1622-6 Bisset II. 241/19.
Sum will say it [the weather] is nocht guid, lat it our pas 1629 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 304.
Latt it be ane refer to the nixt conventioun general(b) 1560 Rolland Seven S. 2715.
Let the Emprice now bluster, bleir, and bark 1573 J. Davidson Sat. P. xl. 338.
Let vice ay in the awin cullouris be kend a1605 Montg. Flyt. 454 (T).
Let nevir this vndoche of evill doing irk 1585 James VI Ess. 14.
Let readers think they … graithly see the earth … so gaigged all c1590 Fowler I. 309/14.
Let thame … afford unto me a gramercye a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1036.
Let them cair that comes behind(c) 1616 Drummond I. 48/11.
Mee place where Fortune doth her darlings crowne … Or late outragious Fates vpon mee frowne(d) a1578 Pitsc. II. 140/15.
The heraldis cryit … ‘Lutt thame go, God schaw the right’(2) c1420 Wynt. iv. 904.
Lat ws wyth oure fayis fycht Quhill that oure goddys dele the rycht 1456 Hay I. 229/7.
Lat us than se quhat resoun wald a1500 Rauf. C. 377.
Lat me wirk as I will, the weird is mine awin c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxiv. 37.
Lat ws in hairt nevir moir be sary 1533 Gau 93/22.
Lat ws notht eit the pwir widous houssis 1547 Cal. Sc. P. I. 15.
He heard the Laird of Barre say openly, ‘Latte theyme taike the bischopis & preistis’ 1540 Lynd. Sat. Proclam. 175.
Na than, lat ws ga play our fill 1560 Rolland Seven S. 789.
Quhair twa illis dois appeir, Lat vs that tak quhairin lyis leist dangeir 1562-3 Winȝet II. 32/30.
Lat ws go and follow strange godis 1567 G. Ball. 53.
Now lat vs sing with myrth and jo c1590 Fowler II. 81/23.
Now lat vs retourne and speik of France 1633 Red Bk. Menteith I. 376.
Lat me humblie intreat your Majestie to apardone me(3) ?1438 Alex. ii. 4026.
Lat fall how euer may happin syne(4) a1500 Rauf C. 291.
Call furth the gude wyfe, lat pay hir or we ryde c1500-c1512 Dunb. xl. 9.
And ay scho said, ‘Latt preif of that’ 1540 Lynd. Sat. Proclam. 225.
Lat pruve gif it be wyid annewch 1560 Rolland Seven S. 7647.
Thairfoir, gude freinds. let put ȝour minde to rest(5) 1558-66 Knox II. 339.
quasi-conj. Lett any messe-sayare … be deprehended in any of the foirnamed crymes, no executioun can be had

c. Lat se, let me or us see, let us find out.Chiefly with interrog. clause as object.(a) c1420 Wynt. v. 3818.
Quhat medycyne can thow, lat se ?1438 Alex. ii. 3715.
Lordingis, lat se quha will assay! a1500 Rauf C. 526.
Lat se how we may ... catche crabitnes away c1475 Wall. i. 442.
Thir Southland hors latt se gif I can ride a1500 Peblis to Play 193.
Gif I sall dance, haue doun, lat se, Blae vp the bagpyp than a1500 Bernardus 10.
Quhat is, he says, a ioculatour, late see 1513 Doug. viii. viii. 194.
Lat thame array thar ostis now lat se Ib. xii. xiii. 14.
Quhat purposis or etlys thou now? lat se 1513 Ib. Exclam. 27.
Quha can do bettir, lat se, quhar I forvayt 1570 Sempill Sat. P. xii. 22.
Be quhome, lat se, wes pirats sa opprest? 1581 Burne Disput. 128 b.
Ye are anes entered, lat se quha dar put vs out agane 1600 Crim. Trials II. 198.
‘Lat sie our prouest! How dois our prouest?’(b) c1420 Wynt. vi. 1376.
Be the Haly Gast now let se Gyff in thi state wes thi entre a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 819 (Wr.).
Speak on, Experience, let see; We think you hold you dumb 1590-1 R. Bruce Sermons 48.
Now let see quhat inconvenient can follow upon this ground a1599 Rollock Wks. I. 371.
Schaik it, let see, off hir foundatioun

d. With ellipsis of ‘go’. 1600 Crim. Trials II. 198.
Latt ws to the house

10. With adverb complements: To allow or cause to go.a. To lat away, furth by, hame, of, on, to. b., c. To lat furth, out, to let out, release, discharge, set free, deliver; to put or lay out; to let be known, divulge. d. To lat in, to admit; also, to lay, put or set in. e. To lat doun, to let down, lower; fig., to allow to decline, fail to keep up; to reduce (overfed beef or mutton) by bleeding the animal before killing it (before = by bleeding from the breast as opposed to the rear parts); (of a cow) to yield (milk). f. With prepositional phrases.a. (1) c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlii. 21.
Do wait, and lat him nocht away a1538 Abell a.
The duke wes lattin awa 1602 Conv. Burghs II. 144.
The schip sall nocht ly idill; … thai will … slip hir and latt hir away(2) 1535 Stewart 38519.
Neuir ane of thame he wald lat furth by(3) c1515 Asl. MS. I. 267/24.
This Dauid … was … haldin xj ȝere in Yngland and than lattin hame 1559 Reg. Morton I. 8.
Presoneir in Ingland and be the said erle … lattin hame in Scotland(4) c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxvii. 36 (M).
Ane rak of fartis lyk ony thunder He leit of blast for blast c1578 Reid Swire 72.
They loot off a flight of arrows 1590-1 Bruce Serm. 190.
Thir torments … quhilk, gif God would let off in full measure, [etc.](5) 1570 Canongate Ct. Bk. 264.
He … luit on the wattir to the myln(6) a1578 Pitsc. I. 208 n.
Scho … lute to the flaik ȝett behind hirb. (1) 1555 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 215.
To lat furth the borrow loch 1581 Ib. IV. 558.
The same [loch] to dame in or latt furth 1601 Ib. V. 284.(b) 1554–5 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 297.
To twa warkmen to stoip the borrow loch quhen it was lettin furth 1558–9 Edinb. Old Acc. I. 287.
To the warkmen that leit furth the louche quhen it overȝeid the land Ib.
To vj men quha laid the fale at the loche quhair it wes lattin furth be Dame Lawsone(2) 1557 Peebles B. Rec. 242.
Efter that the saidis portis be alhaill closit, that nane be latting in nor furth thairat 1560 Edinb. B. Rec. III. 80.
Ye haue ane puir fallow of myne … in your tolbuth, quhairfor I desyre him to be lattin furth a1578 Pitsc. II. 192/16.
The Countess of Lennowis … was lattin furth of the towne [sic] of Londoun(3) c1568 Lauder Minor P. i. 488.
Wo be till him that hurdis vp his corne, … Bot Gods blissing … vpon his head That latis it furthc. (a) c1420 Wynt. v. 527 (C).
For to lat out the wynde At mouythe befor or than behynde 1513 Doug. vi. xv. 115.
Tharat goddis infernal lattis owt The fals swevynnys to the warld about 1675 Sel. Biog. II. 105.
The Lord … restraining Satan and ceasing himself to let out his hand against me(b) 1375 Barb. xiv. 355.
This fals tratour his men had maid … The ysche of a louch to den And leit [E. leyt] it out in-to the nycht a1400 Leg. S. xxxviii. 104.
Scho wes cristine, bot fore doute To that tyme scho leit nocht owte a1500 Henr. Fab. 2518.
The wolf let out his taill on lenth(c) 1520 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 197.
For ilk pak of woll lattin out of the loft, carting and weying of the samyn iiij d. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 4591.
Corrupt blude that mon be lattin out 1596 Dalr. I. 90/1.
Grettest delyte thay had in oxin flesche … and cheiflie quhen the blude was lattin out 1642 Elgin Rec. II. 243.
Agnes Fimister being in ward … scho was lattin out(b) 1598 Warrender P. II. 435.
The burrow loch was lettin owt at the north west end, dryit and becum medow 1675 Sel. Biog. II. 233.
Sanctification … and comfort are but sparingly letten out to me(c) 1650 Brechin Presb. 22.
Shee answered, I am come to let out your kow; then he replyed, Will not I gett my kow let out by you, yee common theyfd. (1) (a) a1500 Rauf C. 617.
Lat him in glaidly 1499 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 76.
The rewlares of Leyth that thai latt in na persouns thairin to by ony maner of vittales 1596 Crim. Trials I. ii. 362.
Ane number of scolleris … refusit to lat in thair maister(b) a1540 Freiris Berw. 154.
His knok scho kend, and did so him in lett [: ȝett](b) c1409-1436 Kingis Q. 125.
The maister portare … frely lete vs in 1513 Doug. ii. v. 31.
Thai … leyt in thar feris 1560 Rolland Seven S. 7703.
Leit(b) 1535 Stewart 7440.
Thai … Opnit the ȝettis and luit Vespacian in 1582 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 252.
[He] oppinit the dur and luitt in the people 16.. Sempill P. 71/8.
She … Arose and loot me in(c) a1500 Rauf C. 613.
Bot he be lattin in beliue, him lykis not to leif 1560 Edinb. B. Rec. III. 82.
That na maner of persoun be lattin in to him bot men of honour 1592 Crim. Trials I. ii. 279.
He causit oppin his ȝettis to have lattin in the said boy 1638 Aberd. B. Rec. III. 130.
[They] wha wer lattin in to the wairdhous to visite the said Alexander Keith(b) 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1829.
Ȝe se how Sensualitie, With principals of ilk cuntrie, Bene glaidlie lettin in(c) 1619 Misc. Bann. C. I. 201.
Comeing to the chalmer beds … we wer lett in(2) c1420 Bute MS. fol. 172.
Gyf thai wyl lat in a ton of watyr thai may 1535–6 M. Works Acc. (ed.) 166.
The saidis masonis … lattand in tymmir for cleithing of the galry 1570 Canongate Ct. Bk. 264.
He … tuke away the clapper and luit in the said malt at the scho of the said myln to grinde. (1) 1375 Barb. xv. 212 (E).
Thai of the doungeoun Durst opyn na yhat, na brig lat [C. let] doun 1513 Doug. iii. iv. 109.
[To] lows the rabandis and lat down the saill 1562-3 Winȝet I. 3/24.
The latter marinaris … to lat down ane grete dele thair hie sailis Ib. II. 53/33.
That thai mot lat doun the sailis of thair proud consait 1591 Edinb. D. Guild Acc. 429.
Ane kabill tow … to lat doune the bell(b) c1475 Wall. i. 90.
Corspatryk rais … Leit breggis doun and portcules thai drew Ib. iv. 483, 823.(c) c1520-c1535 Nisbet 2 Corinth. xi. 33.
Be a windo in a bascat I was lattin doun be the wall 1568 Buch. Indict. 35.
Ladie Reres … being … vnhabell to clyme wes lattin downe in ane belt 1654 Nicoll Diary 128.
[They] escapit furth of the castell of Edinburgh, being lat doun be thair awin bedscheittis(2) 1497 Dunferm. B. Rec. 77.
That scho lattis doun his tenement that scho suld vphald 1519 Cart. S. Nich. Aberd. II. 353.
Considerand that Godis seruice was lattin dovne in a part be caus thar was not ane that attendit … to thar sang schoull a1570-86 Maitl. F. clxxviii. 35.
Becaus men hes lattin doun The fair & market of our toun(3) 1534 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 143.
We ordand our fleychouris to present the mercat with all thair flech or viii houris, and quhair it be flauchit and lattin doun ve ordand the bailyeis to take ane leg be it kow or oix or scheip 1552 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 166.
That nane of the saidis fleschouris blaw nor lat doun ony of the said mwttoun 1555 Peebles B. Rec. I. 215.
That all flescheouris bring thair flesche to the mercat croce … and that thai blaw nane thairof not yit let it doune 1574 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 26.
That thair be na muttoun scoirit on the bak … nor yit lattin doun before … and that na martes be bowbredit nor lattin doun 1702 Dumfries Fleshers.
[The fleshers] not to score it [flesh] in the flank nor lett it doun under the shoulder(4) a1699 Skene Agric. MS.
Ther be some kye that will not leit down ther milk unless they sie the calf standing besid themf. a1578 Pitsc. I. 201/18.
That he lat na man in the said castell 1590-1 Bruce Serm. 126.
After ye haue chewed that meat, letten it over your halse 1596 Dalr. II. 408/2.
[The Master of Maxwell] was latne doune the wal in a cord behind bakis 1635 Dickson Wr. 134.
A sheaf of corn … when it is thrashen, is letten through the wind

g. absol. ? To lay or set in place. Cf. d (2) above. 1537–8 M. Works Acc. (ed.) 225.
To … masonis … hewand and lattand certane caisis

11. a. intr. To strike, deliver a blow or blows (about one, at another). b. tr. To deliver (blows).a. c1420 Wynt. iii. 294.
[He] gat a chek bane off ane as … And fra he gat that in his grype He leyt [C. let] abowt hym, quhype for quhype 1568 Inverness Rec. I. 163.
Wyth ane straik he leit at himb. 15.. Christis Kirk 118.
With forkis and flalis thay leit [B. lait] grit flappis 1607 Inverness Rec. II. 57.
Thow drew ane durke and luit ane straick thairwithe to the said James

12. tr. To behave as if; hence, to pretend. Const. noun-clause with that, as, gif, or without conj.(a) a1500 Henr. Fab. 2710 (B).
Fals pervertaris of the lawis … Leitand [v.rr. Lettand] that all wer gospell that thay schawis c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 228.
I cast on him a crabbit E … And lettis [M. leitis] it is a luf blenk quhene he about glemys Ib. 445.
At langage of lichory I leit as I war crabit(b) c1420 Wynt. v. 1665.
Comendyt off rycht honeste fame, And lete ay that scho wes a man Ib. 1975.
[She] lete [C. let] gyff scho had hade a knyff c1475 Wall. xi. 502.
Wallace assayed at all placis about, Leit as he wald at ony place brek out a1500 Seven S. 693.
I lufit him wele and sa he lete He lufit me attour all wicht

b. reflex. To pretend to be, make oneself out to be. a1500 Prestis of Peblis 638.
Ȝe ar not sik ane fule as ȝe let ȝow a1598 Ferg. Prov. (1641) 10 b.
Of weillie persons … He is not so daft as he lets [MS. letis] him

c. To let on (oneself), (1) = prec. sense, (2) to act as if, to betray by one's action or appearance (that etc.), to ‘let on’.(1) a1598 Ferg. Prov. (1706) 272.
Of wily persons … He is not so daft as he lets on him(2) 1629 Boyd Last B. 116.
While I pray, Christ letteth not on him, that hee either heareth or seeth mee 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1891) 355.
He will not be entreated, but let a poor soul stand still and knock, and never let on him that He hearethd. To acknowledge or admit (to oneself). c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 389 (M).
I luikit on him neuer And leit never in my thocht that he my thing persit

13. To reckon, consider, suppose, believe, expect. Variously const.(1) 1375 Barb. xix. 680.
The man leit [E. leyt] him begilit ill Ib. 712.
Thai sall let thame trwmpit ill c1420 Wynt. viii. 4954.
He … lete [C. let] hym japyt fullyly c1450-2 Howlat 907.
Thus leit he no man his peire a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 948.
Sic dintis he delt to that doughty, Leit hym destanyt to danger and dreid(2) 1375 Barb. xi. 157 (E).
In ilkane [batallion] war weile ten thousand That lete [C. thoucht] thai stalwartly suld stand In the bataile c1420 Wynt. viii. 4556.
The Erle off Athole … gert his folk … Ryot halyly the centre And lete that all hys awyne suld be Ib. 5759.
Na yhowng man … na lete that he mycht prysyde be Bot gywe a qwhill wyth hym war he(3) ?1438 Alex. ii. 4051.
Thay leit to haue thare will but bade, But thay wist nocht quhat help thay hade

b. ? To mean, intend (to do something). a1500 Peblis to Play 22.
Scho tuik the tippet be the end To lat it hing scho leit nocht

14. To think (lightly, little, less, nothing) of (a person or thing).(1) (a) ?1438 Alex. ii. 2634.
Scho lattis of me, as sho na rocht c1460 Consail Vys Man 331.
Lat nocht lichtly of a lytill fa a1500 Prestis of Peblis 1325.
Into this warld of it we lat leichtly a1570-86 (Wynt.) Maitl. F. xl. 18.
The King of France … Suld lat of Scottis men bot lichtlye 1592 Warrender P. II. 173.
Latt nocht lychtie of this verteisment(b) 1375 Barb. xii. 250.
Thai … for thai leit [E. lat; H. set] of ws lichtly [E. heychtly] … Mais thame to ficht c1460 Thewis Wysmen 392.
Thai … clamys of kyne to mychtty men … And of vtherys na-thing thai leit(b) c1420 Wynt. viii. 3410.
Thai lete off thame rycht lychtly Ib. 6653.
Leit a1500 Prestis of Peblis 1051.
The thrid freind I leit lichtly of ay Ib. 1163.
[I] lelely and lichtlie of him leit 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 66.
He lute nathing of that band(c) 1456 Hay II. 90/18.
Than sall he be … put to perpetuale defame and nocht lattyn of Ib. 147/29.
And thou suld be the mare lychtlyit and lesse lattyn of(2) absol. a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 1436 (Wr.).
Quoth Hope, ‘For feare folke must not fash’; Quoth Danger, ‘Let not light’

15. ? To declare, avow. a1400 Leg. S. xviii. 394.
Quhat, quhyne & of quhat state & for quhat cause, thu me late, Thu has bene sa lange tym here c1420 Wynt. vii. 1163.
Fra thus this lordys dayis ware past, The Kyng, hys fadyr, alsa fast, Let, that all the dule wes dwne Be sycht, that he had for his swne Ib. ix. 991.
Letand [C. Lettand] that he suld beris bynd, Mycht he on feld the Scottis fynd a1500 Henr. Fab. 1190 (Ch.).
Of this court ȝe memberis all, … To me and myne ar enemeis mortall, And ay hes bene, thocht I mycht not it lat [: aduocate, feriat]