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.
Pen, v. Also: penn(e. P.p. pennit, penid, pend. [e.m.E. penne (1490), f. Pen n.] tr. To write (something) down with a pen; to compose in writing; to put into writing, as author or copier. Also b. To write up, record in writing.1537 Bk. Old Edinb. C. XV. 19.
Ordanis ane answer to be pennit and thairin to promeis [etc.] 1565 Bk. Univ. Kirk I. 73.
Mr. Knox was appointed to penn a comfortable letter, in name of the Assemblie, to encourage ministers … to continue in their vocation a1568 Bann. MS. p. 49/39.
To pen thy prayis and wondrous workis indyte 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 4.
The regent was … wairned that his distructioune was concluded and the maner how it was pend, to wit, that he shuld be shot 1577 3rd Rep. Hist. MSS. App. iii. 419/1.
That tua notaris be present to pen thir depositioune a1585 Maitl. Q. i. 5. 1581 Sempill Sat. P. xliii. 166. 1582 Reg. Privy C. III. 482.
[The provost of Aberdeen and others] hes … forgit, devisit, and pennit the forme of ane pretendit supplicatioun [etc.] 1584 Misc. Bann. C. I. 115.
He causit pen and reid ane infamous libell a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 71 (W). c1590 J. Stewart 65/9.
Sen I haif sic perrels past and pend 1590 Burel Pilgr. i. xxix.
To ken thame or pen thame My wit it wes to waik 1599 Murray Lyon Hist. Lodge Edinb. 13.
I, the generall warden of Scotland, hes sett doun and causit pen thir actis [etc.] 1615 Highland P. III. 176.
And submissiouns wer pend and subscryuit be aither of pairteis 1644 Douglas Corr. 255.
Only I keip the copie off the lettre becaus itt hath good sence and weill penidb. 1605-6 Welsh Fortyeight Serm. 178.
Thou hast a conscience within thee that sits as notar and pens up in register thereof every evil thought
