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: 1375-1626
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Leve, v.2 Also: lewe, leile, leave. [ME. leve(n (12th c.), OE. (Angl.) léfan, (West Saxon) lýfan (léaf Leve n.): cf. also Lefe (and Luve).]
1. tr. To grant permission, permit, allow. In various constructions.(1) 1375 Barb. xix. 126.
He him tald … of the Kyngis curtasye That levit [E. lewyt] him debonarly Till do of his land his liking c1450-2 Howlat 534.
Be this ressoun we reid, and as our Roy levit, The Dowglas in armes the bludy hart beris 1456 Hay I. 108/31.
Thare may na man tak rycht … at his awin hand bot he that is … prince of the lawe leve him to do 1506 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. I. 77.
To preiw that Williame Gordone … levit Ego Makcanȝeoch to mary with the said Elene 1513 Doug. i. viii. 103.
Gyf ws war levit our flote on land to bryng(b) a1400 Legends of the Saints xxvi. 632.
That he wald lewe tham to say The story of Sancte Nicholas a1400 Ib. xxi. 52. c1420 Wynt. vi. 1268.
He mad hym than prayere That that chyld mycht a lettyr bere Til hys wyff … : The Duk hym lewyd [C. leyffit] c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace iv. 37.
Thocht a subiet in deid wald pas his lord, It is nocht lewyt be na rychtwis racord 1505 Misc. Spald. C. V. 35.
The aldirman ballieis [etc.] … grauntit fre licence and leyf, and be this present actis licencis and lewis thar … clerk … to pas quhareuer he emplesis(2) c1450 Craft of Deyng 194 (S.H.S.).
Testament or other disposicione at the law lewys may be maid 1448 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 402.
All thaim that … barkis … othir wais than the law levis 1456 Hay I. 153/34.
Sen law levis it to be done 1456 Ib. 196/2.
For law levis erar to sla na to be slayn 1456 Ib. 200/13.
The lawe levis the fader for certane caus and resouns … to sell his sone a1500 Tale of the Colkelbie Sow i. 124.
All beistis … Quhom the law levis ete Or quho suld be no menis meit 1514 Orkn. & Shetl. Rec. I. 254. 1604 Shetl. Sheriff Ct. (ed.) 114.
To underly the law for stowth [etc.] … as law leivis 1622-6 Bisset I. 311/2.
I will proceid aganist him with assyse of purprisioun … as the law levis me
b. Also in the passive with the person as subject: To be permitted or allowed.1456 Hay I. 271/34.
He may … put his falow to the wer [in trial by combat] … sen thai ar levit of the prince be the cry that biddis ilke man do his devoire 1513 Doug. iii. vi. 205.
This is the effect … That I am levyt with my wordis thé to charge 1518 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 182.
That nane saill bot thai that are levit be the actis of Parliament
2. With a verb of departing: To grant permission (to depart).c1420 Wynt. viii. 2878 (C).
The siluir to the wardropar He gaf and lewit hym hayme to fare [R. levyd hym to fare] c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace vi. 262.
Wemen thai lewit and preistis … To pas thar way 1560 Rolland Seven Sages 9053.]
[With my blissing … I leif ȝow to depart
b. To grant leave to depart, to dismiss.Only in early verse.1375 Barb. xx. 355.
Quhen that the King him levit had 1375 Ib. 577.
Quhen thai war levit [E. lewyt, H. leaved] of the Kyng a1400 Legends of the Saints xxvii. 1145.
Sone eftir this thai ras ilkane & lewid to thare awne ar gane c1420 Wynt. vi. 1276.
Quhen this child thus lewyd was He buskyd hym hys way to pas ?1438 Alex. ii. 3501, 7777, etc.
c. To be levit, appar. = to depart, to proceed.a1500 Golagros and Gawane 661.
Schir Lyonel to Schir Louys wes leuit with ane lance
