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.
Misgif, -give, -giwe, v. P.t. misgaf, -gaif(f, -gave and Misga. P.p. misgevin, -given. [Cf. e.m.E. misgeve (1513), -give, in other senses.]
1. reflex. To blame oneself, regret.a1500 Seven S. 480.
Than he misgaf him sair agane That he the gentill hound slewe
2. Of a purpose, project or the like: a. intr. To fail, go wrong, miscarry. b. tr. To prove useless to, let down, betray the hopes of (the person).a. 1582 Crim. Trials I. ii. 108.
Seing the first purpois to misgif, [he] … interprysit this purpois 1635 Dickson Wr. 123.
Nothing he takes in hand shall misgive or be marred 1636 Sutherland Corr. 167.
If that misgiwe, my sone mey luik for sum other wayb. 1614 Fraser Sir-Name of Baird 54.
That scheme misgaif him 1629 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. III. 13.
Becaus thair purpose misgave thame they have conceaved ane deidlie haitrent [etc.] c1650 Spalding II. 337.
Bot all thir argumentis misgave this noble marquess
3. intr. Of a firearm: To fail to go off, to miss fire.Also const. dative pron. of the person shooting.See also Misga p.t.(1) 1570 Canongate Ct. Bk. 188.
With ane bendit pistole … [he] schot the samin [pistol] to have slane him lyk as he had done wer nocht the samin misgaif 1579 Reg. Privy C. III. 227.
Presentand ane pistolet to him, quhilk had slane him gif scho had not misgevin 1587-99 Hume vii. 119.
Misgaue 1598–9 Reg. Privy C. V. 532.
Misgaiff 1643 Acts VI. i. 22/1. a1651 Calderwood VII. 572.
The admirall's ordinance misgave at the first onsett 1680-6 Lauder Observes 146.
Misgiven 1688 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII. 267.
If the pistoll did not snap and misgive(2) 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 443.
Which [pistol] misgiving him 3 severall times he at last [etc.]
