A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Misgovernance, n. Also: mis-, mysgovernaunce, -ans, -gouuernance, -gowernance, -govirnance; mesgovernance. [ME. (Chaucer) and e.m.E. mis-, mysgoverna(u)nce, -gouerna(u)nce. Cf. also Misgovera(u)nce,n.]
1. Misgovernment, misrule (of a realm, etc.).1398 Acts I. 210/2.
That the mysgouuernance of the reaulme … sulde be imput to the kynge 1456 Hay II. 36/7.
For dout of misgovernaunce of the ordre for fault of knaulage Ib. 82/35.
It brings in sa mony inconvenientes that all the realme … is put in … misgovernaunce Ib. I. 297/21. Ib. II. 11/16. Ib. 99/3. 1489 Lennox Mun. 129.
The misgouernance and disposicioune of our souerane lordis … heritage c1515 Asl. MS. I. 211/16.
For the gret misgouernans of this King Richert 1531 Bell. Boece II. 211. 1533 Boece ix. xiv. 321.
Of the coronacioun of Ferquhard, his mysgouernance & incarceracion 1549 Compl. 30/7.
Misgouuernance
2. Mismanagement, incompetent direction of affairs.1456 Hay I. 58/7.
And sa for thair misgovernaunce thai war discomfyte Ib. 236/13.
To bring a kingis inymyes in his realme … is grete exces and grete misgovernaunce 1533 Bell. Livy II. 106/25.
The commounweill wes twyis betrasit; first at Veos be misgovernance of the capitanis 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 513.
Mysgouernance [Pitsc. misgowernance] Ib. 326. 1549 Compl. 169/17.
Democrites, persauand our folyful mysgouernance … vald laucht and scorn vs c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus Prol. 197.
And than thay … wyitis fortoun of thair misgouernance a1568 Bann. MS. 253 a/7.
Than war I gydit with misgovirnance That I sowld luve and I not lovit be a1585 Maitl. Maitl. Q. xvii. 2.
Gif trowbill cummis be eventour and not throw thy misgouernance a1578 Pitsc. I. 9/15. Ib. 10/9.
All his trew lordis and he var brocht in beir Be his awin vilfull mesgovernance Ib. II. 96/8.
The haill nobilietie of Scottland … was devorit and defait in thair misgovernance 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. i. ix. § ix. (1678) 77.
He who burns a house … by misgovernance and not of set purpose
3. Misdirection, misguiding (of another person).1456 Hay II. 24/32.
That all the charge of the misgovernaunce of all the knychtis of his realme is be his default and negligence Ib. 31/26.
Thir ar thingis that men suld nocht put in misgovernaunce of ful men, his faire wyf, his castell [etc.] Ib. 30/4.
4. Misdirection of oneself or one's own conduct. a. Intemperance in one's way of life, harmful regimen, excess.c1450 Cr. Deyng 113 (S.T.S.).
For ma deis of exces and mysgouernans in youthed, than is slane into batell 1456 Hay II. 142/3.
With … hevynes of melancoly of misgovernaunce and mistemperance of metis and drynkis Ib. 144/22.
And to purge the corps and the blude fra perilis that may fall for exces … and misgovernaunce of mannis persone Ib. 133/20. c1515 Asl. MS. I. 228/4.
Schir Jhon Wallace deit … throu misgouernance
b. Misconduct, misbehaviour.1456 Hay II. 48/8.
That his handis wirk na misgovernaunce in taking of wrangwise gudis [etc.] a1500 Lanc. 1520.
And tynt richt throw thyne awn mysgouernans Of auerice of thyne errogans c1515 Asl. MS. I. 214/8.
For the misgouernance of him anentis God and holy kirk 1549 Compl. 125/29.
Ther dissolutione, … and ther disordinat misgouernance, is the cause of my impatiens
