A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Mauch, n.1 Also: mauche, maughe, maw(i)ch(e, mawycht. [Cf. north. e.m.E. mawggh (c 1570), and also in the later north. Eng. dial. as maugh and mauf, and Maich n. Cf. also Mach(e.]
a. One's son-in-law.1375 Barb. xv. 274.*
Walter Steward with hym tuk he [Robert Bruce], His mawch ?a1400 Nine Nobles 16.
Julius Cesar … discumfit his mawche Pompe c1420 Wynt. v. 1415.
Mawche he [Antonine] was tyll Adriane Ib. ii. 1637. 1513 Doug. vi. xiv. 61, vii. i. 165, etc. a1538 Abell 74 a.
At that barne suld be his mauche and succeid to him
b. Any other male connection by marriage, as brother-inlaw, etc. c. In instances in which the precise relationship has not been ascertained.c1420 Wynt. i. 1641.
Na the mawich couth noucht be In pes wytht hys alye 1498 Peebles B. Rec. I. 198.
John Forar for his mawth 1535–6 Selkirk B. Ct. MS. 208 (14 Mar.).
Thomas Vatsone, cusing to James Vatsone, and James Dovnaldsone, mauch of the sammyn James 1549 Glasgow Test. I. 49 b.
My wife … to tak ane of my mawchis … to help hir 1550 Rec. Earld. Orkney 241.
My mawycht 1581 Edinb. Test. IX. 230 b. 1595 Cal. Sc. P. XI. 619.
[Donald Gorm and his] maughe [MacLeod Harris, fell out] 1622-6 Bisset I. 58/22.
To his sone nor his mauchis
