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.
Quotation dates: 1475-1546
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Pissan(e, n. Also: pys(s)- and -and, -ant, -en. [ME. pysan (14th c.), also pusen (14th c.), OF. pisainne, pizane, fem. of adj. pisain, pizain, Pisan, of Pisa. See also Pesan(e n.] A piece of armour to protect the upper part of the chest and neck, a pisane. Also possess.In English the word ‘went out of use in the early 15th century’ but ‘continued to be used in Scotland either to describe the standard or the archaic aventail which remained in occasional use’ (C. R. Beard).c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace ii. 111.
The thrid he straik throuch his pissand of maile The crag in twa c1475 Ib. iii. 189.
Adam Wallace … Straikane Bewmound … On the pyssan c1475 Ib. v. 958.
Pissan c1475 Ib. vi. 751.
Pissane 1507 Treasurer's Accounts III. 259.
Ane clasp of gold to the kingis pissan 1535 Stewart 17006.
To hors … tha drew … In pans and pissen lokkit and weill laist 1537 Treasurer's Accounts VI. 336. 1540 Acts II. 362/2.
Pysane 1541 Treasurer's Accounts VIII. 30.
Ane pyssane of melȝe [etc.] 1541–2 Ib. 123.
Fyfty pare of harnes, all witht pissantis of malȝe 1546 Reg. Privy C. I. 62.
With … sellet, or steilbonet, pysand or gorgetpossess. c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace ix. 1104.
Wallace … At Sewart hals … Throu pissanis stuff in sondyr strak the swyr
