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.
Ples-, Pleasour, -ur(e, v. Also: pless- and -or; plisoir. [e.m.E. plesure (1538), pleasure intr. to take pleasure, tr. to give pleasure (1559), f. Plesour n. Cf. Pleseir v.]
1. intr. Only Sc.: To like; to have the will or desire. = Ples(e v. 2 b.(a) 1530–1 Maxwell Mem. I. 261.
It salbe lefull to thame to bynnd thame in manrend to quham thay plesor(b) 1582 Cal. Sc. P. VI. 146.
Gyve your lordship plisoirs
2. tr. To please, gratify, satisfy (a person); to give pleasure to. = Ples(e v. 4.1560 Q. Mary in Cal. Sc. P. I. 537.
[You will pleasure me by having it ready] 1563–4 Rec. Earld. Orkney 272.
Till all and syndry quhome it plessouris 1578 Conv. Burghs I. 64.
In quhat maner of wy we may help, plesour or benefite the said nation 1580–1 Waus Corr. 233.
Gif thair be ony steid or seruice that I may plesour your ll. with 1584 Sempill Sat. P. xlv. 90.
He … maid ane sermone … To plesour fock on bayth the sydis 1591 Reg. Morton I. 178. 1587-99 Hume 18/52.
He … gaue him of a weaker sexe to pleasour him a wife 1600 Acts IV. 242/1.
And haveing laitlie gevin ane manifest takin to plesure his hienes 1604 Denmylne MSS. (ed.) 60.
Pleasur 1600-1610 Melvill 625.
But only that the king behovit to be pleasourit in the matter and then all sould goe weill 1623 Fam. Rose 312.
Plesur 1649 Baillie III. 77.
How dommadgful his going about to pleasour papists was
