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.
Meddil(l)ing, Med(d)ling, vbl. n. Also: medleing. [ME. and e.m.E. medling (14th c.), med(d)elyng, etc. Cf. Mid(d)ling.] Mixing, mingling, meddling, etc., in various senses of Med(d)ill v., Middill v.
1. Concerning oneself, dealing, meddling, interfering (in a matter, with something).(1) 1569 Sc. Hist. Rev. I. 40.
I … prayd him ernistlye to haue no medling in the matter 1680 Sc. N. & Q. 2 Ser. II. 43.
Knoweing that ye had a medling in my father's affaires at the south(2) 1613 Laing MSS. I. 129.
The said Robert Pringill his medling with sume of these casualiteis 1622-6 Bisset I. 100/11.
We … interdyte of all interes and meddilling with ecclesiesticall bissinessis 1666 Edinb. B. Rec. X. 7.
Dischairging all friemen from medling with any warke in reference to building(3) 1593–4 Cal. Sc. P. XI. 265.
[That the law] stryke upoun everie ranke of papistis [according to their merit and] medling c1600 Montg. Suppl. xi. 15.
Of medling muche dois mischeif of(t) aryis
2. Dealings or association with a person.a1578 Pitsc. II. 207/15.
Thair pairt was honest in all thair proceidingis and speciallie toward the meddiling witht the quein 1670 Edinb. B. Rec. X. 72.
All persones that had any medling with him in relation to the clerkship of Leith a1700 Charters Spiritual Disc. 88.
In all our dealings with men and medling about affairs with them
3. Joining in combat, duelling, fighting.1571 Bann. Memor. 151.
To send thé, afore our medling, a band of … noblemen … that during the tyme of our medling, thair sall nothing be attempted against thé 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 189.
That it was not murther or slaughter but chance medling a1676 Guthry Mem. 155.
Presently he … advanced through Northumberland but, instead of medling with Montrose (who was then in a good posture), he directed his course [etc.]
4. Sexual intercourse.1602 Dundonald Par. Rec. 8.
Jonat Gibsoun … confessit hir medling in fornicatioun with Thomas Michell 1603 Ib. 30. Ib. 40.
For thair medling befor thair mariage
