A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1499-1688
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Poiso(u)n-, Poyson(e)abill, -able, adj. Also: poys(s)o(u)n-, poysan- and -abyll. [e.m.E. poysonable (c 1550), f. Poiso(u)n n. and v. Cf. Puso(u)nable.] That is able or apt to poison, in various senses of Poisoun v.
1. That contains, or that is, a poisonous substance; poisonous.a1500 Henr. Orph. 313 (Ch. & M.).
Thy drink is poysonable [Bann. pvsonable] 1607 Criminal Trials II 535.
And ministring, vnder forme of medecine, of poysoneable drinkis 1613 Ib. III 261.
Vsearis of poysone or poysoneable herbis, quhairthrow ony Cristiane man, woman or bairne may take hearme 1613 Ib. 264. 1624 Perth Kirk S. MS 27 April.
It is ane poyssonabill herbe and … it is nocht lesum to onye except phisitiounis … to compoise drinkis of herbis 1627 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. II 162.
Poysounable 1633 Dalyell Darker Superst. 210.
Certain philtra or poysones or poysonable and inchantit toakynes of love 1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 69.
A poisonable potion stuffed with sulfre quick silver … and … burning corrasive ingredients 1688 Old Kirk Chron. 57.
It was lyklie she was poysoned by eating poysonabill herbis
2. fig. a. Of a quality: Harmful, noxious.a1500 Henr. Fab. 593 (Bann.).
Fy! pompous pryd, thow art rycht poysonable
b. Of a doctrine or intention: Corrupting.1567 Bk. Univ. Kirk I 110.
That ȝouth be not infectit be poysonable doctrine at the beginning 1580 Cath. Tr. 50/2.
That poysanabill erroure first induced amangs Christians be Simon Magus 1596 Dalr. II 215/22.
Quha venum verie poysonable and deidlye in Germanie had souked out of Luther a1599 Rollock Wks. I 400.
That poysonabill hart of thine, that is procuiring the away taking of this gospell a1652 Dickson Psalms 1–50 (1653) 28.
Rotten and poysonable advice
c. Of a person: Corrupting, conveying an evil influence, evil.1528 Lynd. Dreme 219.
Machomete, that propheit poysonabyll 1600-1610 Melvill 281.
Because we haid lurking within our awin bowelles a poisonable and vennemus Psyllus, a warlow … sa empoisoned be the vennome of that auld serpent … that [etc.] … This is Patrik Adamsone fals Bischope of St. Androis
