A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Ringing, -yn(g, vbl. n.2 Also: ryng- and -ynge, -in, -ien, -eyne; rygneng; reinging, -yne. [ME and e.m.E. (bel)ryngyng (c1315), rengynge (Wyclif); Ring v.2]
1. The fact of a bell emitting a sound when rung; the sound thus produced by a bell.(1) 1412 Aberd. B. Rec. I 389.
It is ordenit … at thai rys to the ryngyng of the comoun bell 14.. Acts I 92*/2.
[If he] cummys noȝt … or the ryngin of the bell ces, he salbe in his amerciament 1565 Instit. Ct. Sess. in Edinb. Univ. MS La. iii 388a fol. 4a.
[They] sall steik thame selffis furth of the vtmost dure quhill thai be callit on be ringing of ane bell or command of the president 1574 Misc. Maitl. C. I 108.
Thai sall compeir the morne at the reingyne of the secund bell 1579 Edinb. B. Rec. IV 109.
Befoir the counsale bell sceis reinging 1660 Rothesay B. Rec. 56.
It is ordaynet that thrie monethis cesse be uplifted … and be payet at ringing of the bell(2) a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 778.
‘Quhat signifyis yone rynging?’ said the ryale
2. The action of ringing, in sense 5 of Ring v.2; the act of causing a bell to sound.(1) 1491 Cart. S. Nich. Aberd. I 255.
That the segirstane sale keip his houris in ringynge of bellis that is lymmit to him 1507 Edinb. Hammermen 61.
For the ryngin of the greit bell to the derige 1537 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I 414.
Ringeyne 1539 Haddington B. Rec. in E. Loth. Antiq. Soc. VII 3.
Anent the ringing of the bells in menyng 1568 Thirds of Benefices 266.
For keiping of the kirk of Glasgow, ringing of the bellis and keiping of the knok 1578–9 Reg. Privy S. VII 301/2. 1619 Perth Kirk S. MS 19 April.
Anent his said office and charge of the bellis ringing 1628 M. Works Acc. (ed.) II 217.
For ringing the bell to lous and enter the warkmen at thair houres c1666 6th Rep. Hist. MSS App. 686/1.
For ringien of the tolboth-bell for Sir Robert Farqher his beriall 1671 Rothesay B. Rec. 206.
To … repoirt thair diligence to the counsell on Sattirday nixt at the ringing of the bell(2) 1596 Dalr. I 343/18.
Jhone Balie … iustlie was iuget to be castne frome all rycht of rygneng
b. The action of announcing a time or hour by the sounding of bells.14.. Acts I 37/2.
Thar sal ane wacheman … gang til his wache wyth tua wapnys at the ryngyng of the courfeu 1560 Inverness Rec. I 46.
Ryngyn of curfur and matens … to the commond prayaris and temporing of the knok
3. The action of striking a metal object in order to produce a loud ringing sound. Also proverb.1593 Roxburghe MSS 41.
[The act] dischairging alsoe pasche playis, tymmer wychtis, banefyris, and ringing of baisingis 1604 Elgin Rec. II 119 (see Ring v.2 6 a). 1628 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. II 579.
The ringing off girdlis ilk tuelffth evining att my dors in gritt contempt is a yeirlie tribute quhilk thai pay me dewlie 1663 Sc. Ant. III 111.
A verie sinful miscarriage in some people in Easter Alves the last week, viz. the ringing of a millen-bridle … upon ane aged and diseased poor woman … thereby to hasten her to death as they conceivedproverb. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1647.
Weale never a girdle be the ringing, nor a widow be her singing
