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.
Mendin(g, vbl. n. Also: -yng(e, -yn, -en(g. [ME. (Cursor M.) and e.m.E. mending, -yng.]
1. In various senses of Mend v. a. Amendment, reformation. b. Material assistance, relief. c. Correction, emendation.a1400 Leg. S. xviii. 1112.
Of mendynge ȝe haf gret ned! c1420 Wynt. v. 2426 (W).
Vther that in neid were stad And gret myster of mending had 1562-3 Winȝet II. 54/17.
Manlie doctrine, quhilk may nocht bot be daylie mending, ȝea, rather be repreuing be perfitit
2. Amends, recompense, redress.?1438 Alex. ii. 3240.
Quhare were askis na mending 1526 Carnwath Baron Ct. (S.H.S.) 54.
For falt of entres to haif ansuerit to Male Vyld for the mending of him a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. clxxiv. 14.
For off thair skayth be lawe [they] can get na mending
3. Repair. Also plur., repairs, instances of repairing.Very common throughout the period. For some further examples, see Beting vbl. n.1 1.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xxii. 530.
A kyrk … the quhilk sic ned had of mending 1428 Ayr B. Acc. in Sc. Hist. Rev. XXXI. 144. 1481–2 Misc. Spald. C. II. 324.
Owr gretest wyndoys mendyn 1488 Treas. Acc. I. 88. 1494 Ib. 248.
Menden 1497 Ib. 344. 1498 Halyb. 184. 1507 Edinb. Hammermen 61 b.
For mending of the daly westment 1540 Acts II. 374/1.
Tuiching the reparationis and mending of difformyteis within the towne of Edinburgh 1558 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I. 294. 1561 Reg. Privy S. V. i. 211/2. 1579 Reg. Privy C. III. 196.(2) 1629 M. Works Acc. MS. XXIV. 15.
To ane wricht working half ane day at mendingis vj s.
4. Healing, cure.In (on) the mending hand, on the mend, on the road to recovery.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xli. 10.
Al sekmen of his tweching Of verray heile gettis mending 1557–8 Edinb. Old Acc. I. 235.
For curing and mending of James Henrisonis lege 1563 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 354.
In heling and mending of hir ein 1570 Canongate Ct. Bk. 143. 1570 Ib. 279. 1683 Sheriffhall Coal Accompt 24 Mar.(2) 1630 Haddington Corr. 169.
My dohter Caett … is in the mending hand 1639 Maxwell Mem. II. 274. 1654 Red Bk. Grandtully II. 148.
These are to lett you know that I am againe on the mending hand 1666 Lauderdale P. i. 244.
