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.
Quotation dates: 1456-1478, 1531-1640
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(Lefing,) Leif(f)ing, vbl. n.2 Also: lef(f)yng, -ying, leyf(f)in(g, -yn(g. [Sc. var. of Leving vbl. n.3: cf. Lefe v.3, Liffing vbl. n. and e.m.E. (once) leyffven (c 1520).]
1. Manner of life. = Leving n. 1 b.1531 Bell. Boece I. iii.
Schawand the fine of vicius and virtewis leiffing 1567 Gude and Godlie Ballatis 130.
Sa sall God him euer blis That dreidis him ay in his leifing a1585 Maitland Quarto MS xxviii. 14.
Fra clein leiffing in carnell lust to ly
2. Livelihood, maintenance. = Leving n. 2.(1) 1456 Peebles B. Rec. I. 116.
Tyl hym self takand that may be hys leyfyn essely 1458 Ib. 130.
Geyf it stand her of ned scho may sel part of that [heirship] til hir lefying 1478 Ib. 184.
For fawlt … of hir leffyng(2) c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace x. 779.
In France I will to wyn my leffyng thar 1531 Bell. Boece II. 205.
To seik thair leiffing on vile craftis 1621-40 Melville Commonpl. Bk. 41.
In lovesome labour thy leiffing thoue sould win(3) a1538 Abell 31 a.
[To] laubour with his handis for his leyfin
3. A means of support or source of income; a person's property, land or benefice. = Leving n. 3 and 4.1456 Peebles B. Rec. I. 116.
And the said Sir Jon sal hald vp that land … has he may do by his awn lefyng c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace vii. 940.
Till gud Wallace … Restord this lord till his leyffing agayne 1548 Corr. M. Lorraine 239.
My pwre leyffyng wes possest with my compeditour and can hawe na apoinctement a1568 Scott i. 147.
So lairdis vpliftis mennis leifing ouir thy rewme a1570-86 Maitland Folio MS clxxx. 23.
Thy leifing haill neir broght to confusioun a1578 Pitsc. II. 47/23.
To leif France and his honest leiffing that he had of the King
