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.
Quotation dates: 1601-1602, 1680
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Meship, Mesship, Maschip, n. [Contracted var. of Maisterschip: cf. e.m.E. mashyp, -ship (1526–1600).] = Maisterschip n. 3 (as a mode of address or reference). — 1601 Tailor's Acc. Bk. 6.
To ȝour maschipis cloke 1602 Dundee Shipping P. 76.
To gif yowr mesship to onderstand that [etc.] 1680 Mackenzie Precedency 38.
From this title of Master came Meship amongst us, which was given to all such as had not a special title, as Lord, Sir, &c.
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"Meship n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/meship>
