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.
Lot, v. Also: lott, lote, loit(t; latt (altered var. after Scat(t v.). [Late ME. and e.m.E. lot, lote (c 1449, 1483), f. Lot n.1; cf. F. lotir to cast lots, assign by lot.]
1. To contribute a proportionate or allotted share to a common payment (cf. Lot n.1 2 b). Commonly coupled with scot (also scat), q.v. for further examples, esp. in to scot and lot.Said commonly a. of the contribution towards the cost of goods lost from a ship from the goods remaining, and b. of the contribution of burgesses or of freemen of guild or craft towards their common financial burdens.(a) 1467 Acts II. 87/1.
Na gudis vnder the ourlop [are] to scot nor lot with tha gudis in case thai be castin 1512–13 Mill Mediæv. Plays 121.
All fre & vnfre to loit and scot and pay thar part thairto [to the cost of the procession] as thai ar extentit to be the deknys of thar craftis 1513 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 87.
That thair sal saile bot ix personis now in thir thre schips … quhilkis sal leif nyne men for thame weil … bodin, to lot, scot. waik and ward for thame 1589–90 Prot. Bk. J. Inglis 10 Feb.
James … raquirit … Crestene to cum to the myll & to ressawe hir part … thairof … & scot & lot & mak equall half of the costis … that it aucht to be furnesit to the said myll as scho aucht 1665 Rothesay B. Rec. 109.
Thairfoir they war creat … burgesses … and also gave thair aithis … to ward, watche, stent and lote with the rest of the inhabitants(b)1585 Forres B. Ct. 13 Dec.
[To] scatt latt walk and warde as vtheris nychtbouris dois
2. To allocate by drawing lots.1617 Aberd. Journal N. & Q. III. 252.
To pay … the equall half of four hors to be lottit and cassin be cavills as falls be lot 1668 Glasgow B. Rec. III. 105.
To ordaine their said stockis and rowmes [in the flesh market] to be lotted yearly and cavillit 1696 Conv. Burghs IV. 215.
The said toun land in use to be lotted to be given … in lott to the persons … above named
3. To lot with (Scripture), to practise divination or settle anything in doubt, by opening the Bible and lighting upon a text at random.a1658 Durham Commandments (1675) 113.
The Word … to be used … with Christian prudence … and not to be lotted with, or to haue … the decision of what they are … doubtful about at hap-hazard cast on it according to their own groundless fancies
