A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Of-putting, vbl. n. Also: off- and -putyng, -eng. [ME. (once) ofputtynge (Trevisa), otherwise only Sc. Cf. also Afputting.] The action of putting off, in lit. and (chiefly) fig. senses. a. Laying down. b. The putting off or delaying the fulfilment of an undertaking; esp. by offering excuses, failing to fulfil promises, etc.; fobbing off, postponement; also, an instance of these.a. c1450 Cr. Deyng (S.T.S.) 19.
The dede of gude men is nocht ellis bot the … offputyng of a full hevy byrdingeb. (1) 1496 Acta Conc. II. 26.
In the refusing and in of putting of his son Johne Olephant in fee of the landis forsaidis 1543–4 Corr. M. Lorraine 66.
That I … hes cum na speid bot gettis fair worddis and promissis wythe ofputeng 1544 Ib. 72. a1578 Pitsc. II. 299/26.
No thing culd be done at this tyme but of-putting(2) 1528 Douglas Corr. 125.
That gud justice and dew redres be maid, but ony delayis or ofputtingis a1578 Pitsc. II. 19/6.
Quhene the earle knew thair promisse of na effect bot ane offputting of tyme a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1600.
This may weilbe ane ofputting it will not be a lyfe 1627 Laing MSS. I. 177.
Ather the wontit delaying purposis and feckles offputtingis or cunning dissimulatiounis
