A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1590, 1669-1677
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Pos(s)essing, vbl. n. [e.m.E. (1580); Posses(s v.] a. Causing (a person) to be possessed (by (with) an evil spirit). b. Having occupancy or dominion; occupying. —a. 1590 Criminal Trials I ii 211.
Fylit … for the bewiching and possessing of Williame Hutsoune … with ane ewill spreitb. c1590 Fowler II 76/4.
And it is avalable enough in the suir possessing off theme [sc. conquered provinces], to extinguish … the race onlye of the prence [etc.] 1669 Rec. Old Aberd. II 66.
[To] restore the said persewar to the possessione of the said dask and to desist … from all forther troubleing … of him … in the peaceable brookeing, joyseing and posessing therof 1677 Irvine Deeds 4 July (see Joising vbl. n. (a)).