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: 1429-1456, 1513-1623
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List, n.2 Also: liste, lyst(e. [ME. list(e (Layamon), lyste, lest (14th c.), f. List,v.1]
1. Pleasure, enjoyment, delight. c1450-2 Howlat 755.
All thus our lady thai lovit, with lyking and lyst 1528 Lynd. Dreme 1030.
I … lychtlie dynit, with lyste and appityte 1573 Davidson Satirical Poems xl. 197.
How he suld fend from furie and thair [princes'] fead, Syne leaue this lyfe with list for all thair plaid
2. Appetite, desire for food or drink. 1513 Doug. ix. ii. 68.
The wild wolf … his rage and furour … Rasys in ire for the wod hungris lyst 1535 Stewart 58472.
Cald water. quhairof he had grit list, Durst none him geif for to slokin his thrist a1598 Ferg. Prov. MS. No. 383.
Eat your list & leav the lave
3. At list, at one's (own) list, at one's pleasure, at one's will or free choice. 1429 Acts II. 18/1.
At nane vthir weir broudry na perle na bulȝeone bot aray thaim at thar awin list in all vthir honest aray 1434 Raine North Durham App. 63.
At the fre tenandis … sal … pasture thair awne land at thair awne lyst 1456 Hay I. 108/13.
He may mak weris at his awin list 1456 Ib. 140/11.
He may nocht compell him to pay his men wagis bot at his list — 1535 Stewart 7508.
He tuke his leif and furth he fuir at list 1535 Ib. 35618.
Tha landit thair at grit lasar and list a1570-86 Balnavis Maitland Folio MS cxxix. 12.
Tak bot at list, suppois ȝe thrist, Ȝour mouthe at lasar cule a1585 Maitland Quarto MS xxxix. 10.
Sumtyme I leifit in libertie at list And thocht I could to luiffis force resist 1581-1623 James VI Poems I. 25/120.
So heauenly fury can Make man … wander in a holy mist Vpon the fyrie heauen to walk at list
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"List n.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/list_n_2>
