A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1513, 1570-1681
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Minch, Minsch, v. Also: minche, men(s)che. [e.m.E. mynsh (north., 1499), minch, var. of e.m.E. and ME. mince, mynce (14th c.), OF. mincier, minchier (F. mincer).] tr. To mince, chiefly in fig. uses. Also absol.a. To chop up, subdivide. b. To diminish, take away from, as by pilfering. c. To minimise in reporting; to extenuate, to disparage; to water down.a. 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1891) 251.
Let Christ have all your love without minching or dividing it 1638 Johnston Diary I. 340.
I told him my mynd of not bounding, minching, carving be halfes as God's cause 1661 Rutherford Testimony to the Work of Reformation (1719) 23.
Such as can but cut and carve, inch and minchb. 1513 Doug. viii. Prol. 40 (E).
The myllar mynschis [the multyr with a met skant] 1570 Inverness Rec. I. 195.
Quhilkis personis sall sycht the vplandis meit and beiff that cummes to the mercat that the samyn be nocht menchit [pr. meuchit] nor meneist 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. xix.
Lyke Hophnees with elcrookes to minche … the offerings of Godcomb. a1585 Polwart Flyt. 734 (H).
Creishie soutter, shoo clooter, minche moutter [T. mensche mowter], dar thow mow?c. 1638 Henderson Serm. 491.
Never to minch the Lord's kindness nor to smore his honour 1638-54 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 191.
Ye willfind that God spak to Balaam. Balaam minsched it, and what Balaam spak to Balacks servands they minched it lykewayes 1681 Lauder Observes 45.
Cargil … behaved more timorously to save his life, … and minched ther principles
