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.
Out, v. Also: oute, owt. P.t. and p.p. out(t)it, -ed, owtit. [ME. oute(n (14th c.), owte(n, e.m.E. out(e, owt, f. Out,adv.: cf. OE. útian to expel.]
1. tr. To eject, expel, get rid of.c 1420 Liber Calchou II. 448.
Ilkane of thir [the hart, the lever & the harnys] has his clengying plas quhar he may out his superfluces & clenge him
b. To expel or dismiss (a person) from (of) an office, ministerial charge, etc.Common in the later 17th c. esp. as applied, freq. without complement, to clergy turned out of their charge: see also Outit ppl. a. 3.(1) a1658 Durham Commandments (1675) 48.
So far as they can impede it by outing and discountenancing his ministers [viz. covenanting ministers] 1660 Sharpe in Wodrow Hist. (1828) I. 50.
To show that the bishops have not been outed by law ?c1675 J. Gordon Hist. III. 65. c1680 W. Row Blair 437.
The prelates are now busied to fill the places of outed ministers, especially in the west where maniest were outed 1678 Edinb. B. Rec. X. 348.
Upon designe to out them [the clerks] that there may be ane vacancie for some freind 1681 Colvil Whig's Suppl. (1751) 99. 1687 Shields Hind Let Loose (1797) 219. 1692 Pitcairne Assembly (1766) 31. 1693 Sage Fundam. Chart. Presb. (1695) Pref.
More than 300 [of the episcopal clergy] who were outed by the rabble(2) 1657 Balfour Ann. III. 435.
That acte [of 1649] … by wich he was outted of hes office and place of lord thesaurer of the kingdome 1664 Carstairs in Wodrow Hist. (1828) I. 405.
Since I was outed of my ministry 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 445.
Some … stood out [against their diocesan bishop] and were outed of their livings
2. To put out or issue for sale; to release for sale; to sell.1572 Sat. P. xxxiii. 343.
Ȝe gros geir left and went for wyne and spyces, Frenche claith and silks … Quhilks for to out with dowbill met and mesure 1590–1 Crail B. Ct. MS. 9 Feb.
Twa dusoun off symmer scheip skinnis to hawe bene owtit and sauld be him in siclyk … maner as he suld happin to sell and owt his awin guidis 1601 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 280. 1627 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. II. 162.
Nor to oute the same at ane higher rait nor the trew uorth 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1671) 55.
A calling … to out Christ and his wares to countrey buyers 1640 Glasgow Trades House 208.
Mair lossit be turnowr lying besyd him and not outit 1642 Spalding II. 101.
This Farquhar outit his myttie meill upone the honest people of the toun at ane heighe price
b. To spend (money).1590–1 Crail B. Ct. MS. 9 Feb.
The said Jhon conwoyit … the persewaris gold siluer and wtheris guidis … to Queinsbrig and owtit and wairit the samin thair 1659 Belhevius Redivivus 68 in Fugitive Poetry 2 Ser.
You will find hands abundance where to out itt
c. To issue, utter or circulate (counterfeit money) .1598 Crim. Trials II. 75.
Prentit within the duelling houssis … and tressonablie outit the samin amangis our souerane lordis liegis 1601 Ib. 353.
Of the quhilkis thay tressonablie outit ane to the said Dauid Hallis wyffe Ib. 52.
He … coft ane broune meir for the quhilk he tressonablie outit and payit xxiiij poundis of the said fals gold 1634 Cochran-Patrick Coinage II. 40.
False and counterfoote copper penneis wer brought … and outted among his majesteis subjects as good coyne
3. In non-material applications: To exhibit, display; to utter, express; to vent.To out one's heart upon (another), ? ‘to pour out one's heart to’, to confide in.(1) 1591-2 Rob Stene 3.
His bryd, hir bewty sett asyd, Had littil than to owt hir pryd c 1596 Milne-Home MSS. 63.
His majeste promesis that hir majeste sall be satesffeyitt to hir honowre … quharin his majeste owtis na dowt 1616 Sc. N. & Q. 2 Ser. I. i.
He knew … how to gyde his turne with the gritest of Scotland and had outit his turnis aganis thame a1658 Durham Commandments (1675) 265.
This one inventeth a lye, another venteth and outeth it, and a third resetteth it, like coyners, spreaders and resetters of false money 1675 J. Fraser in Sel. Biog. II. 123.
Much of His love … is outed and expressed in that act & work(2) a1661 Rutherford Lett. (1765) I. No. 135.
I can find no ways to out my heart upon Christ
