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.
Miscariag(e, n. Also: -iadge, -eage, -iege, -ige, -carriage, -carrage, -ige, -garriage; plur. -cairadgies. [e.m.E. miscar(r)iage (1572).]
1. An error or fault; a mistake or blunder.1643 R. Baillie Satan the Leader 3.
When a hard piece of worke is put in the hand of an apprentice for the first assay of his skill, the beholders are justly afraid for a miscarriage in his … unexperienced hand c1650 Spalding I. 270.
Bot throw this gentil manis owne miscareage he is dismountit 1660 Nicoll Diary 280.
A persone of loows principles, and reducit by his awin miscariages into ane disperat fortoun
2. Misconduct, misbehaviour, or an instance of this.(1) 1640 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 218.
Johne Leith … does continew in his disorderis and miscariage be shooting of gunes 1645 McKay Hist. Kilmarnock 317.
For her gross misgarriage and upbraiding of the session 1646 Inverness Rec. II. 190. c1650 Spalding II. 6. 1651 Glasgow Burgesses vi.
For thair oppin miscariadge to the proveist 1660 Lanark B. Rec. 179.
In respect of his miscariage in bringing up axes to brek the tolbuith doir 1677 Banff Ann. I. 157. 1679 Dumfriesshire Valuation Bk.
Rebuked … for his miscarrage towards the commissioners 1682 McKay Hist. Kilmarnock 50.
Yesternight … I found your letter complaining off my soulders miscarige(2) 1648 Dunferm. Kirk S. 28.
For hir manifold fornicationes lownries and miscariages 1649 St. A. Presb. 49.
Grosse miscariages committed by my Lord Abercrombie in striking ane elder and the kirk bedell 1651 Meikle Old Session Bk. 20.
For his sinfull miscarieges against the Covenant 1659 Durham Scandal 51.
For to aggrege miscarriages in others 1675 Forbes Baron Ct. 299.
For his miscairadgies in the face of the court 1697 Renfrewshire Witches 84.
That she distinctly remembered her miscarriages and, in special, her singing and dancing 1702 Glasg. Univ. Mun. II. 374.
Guilty of such miscarriges as deserves the highest censure
