A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Scanse, Scance, v. Also: scaunce, skanse, skance. [L. scans-, p.p. stem of scandere to climb. Cf. Scand v.]
1. intr. To give an impression, have an appearance, (of).Cf. later Sc. (ill-)scansed having the appearance of, (ill-)looking (SND, s.v. Scance v. 6).c1475 Wall. iii 347.
Thir iiij [sc. Mars, Juno, Venus, Saturn] scansyte of diuers complexioun, Bataill, debaite, inwy and destructioun
2. tr. a. To scrutinise, examine critically.1562–3 Rec. Earld. Orkney 113.
The forsaid arbetoris owrman witht consent of parteis hes scansit and consydderit the propirteis commoditeis of all and syndre the forsaid landis 1604 Shetland Sheriff Ct. (ed.) 118.
With sax honest men, to skance and stent the samin throche the parochin 1608 Haddington Corr. 215.
His depositioun … wilbe curiouslie scansed be our laweris
b. To ponder, think deeply about, reflect on.a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 1357 (Wr.).
And panse not, nor skanse not, The perill nor the price 1603 Philotus 803.
Full oft this mater did I skance [: pance] Bot with my self befoir 1604 W. Alexander Cræsus 1475 (D, E).
I find, Adrastus, when I deeply scaunce [I. when deepely I designe, J. when I have search'd and seene] Th'effectual motiues of this fatall crosse 1620 Calderwood VII 421.
As for the king, I professe not to scanse his power
c. To wonder. Const. clause object.a1614 W. Alexander Doomes-day iii 851 (G, H).
What high conceit with curious thoughts can scance [J. What minde can think though thoughts the same entrance How [etc.]] 1638 Adamson Muses Thr. 161.
How that can be forgote I greatlie scance a1649 Drummond II 161/8.
To make a day of dayes … Whilst when they end it, what should come doth scance
d. intr. To reflect.1619 Garden Elphinstoun 184.
And at the ishew, fine, and end, Oft he conceats and skanses
3. intr. and tr. a. To scanse in, to ponder deeply on. b. To scanse upoun or of, to talk, or think, about; to discuss; to comment on.a. a1599 Rollock Wks. I 373.
The philosophers quha skansed in curiosities, quhen this wisdom came to them, they kend na mair in it nor bairnis or infantsb. 1589 Reg. Privy C. IV 427.
I knaw that the motioun of my voyage at this tyme wilbe diverslie skansit upoun a1599 Rollock Wks. II 640.
He took him leisure from his vocation, which was to look to Jesus, and to follow him to scanse upon John 1606 Rollock's Thess. 28.
To scanse of these things ouer far it is but vaine curiositie 1608 Lett. & St. P. Jas. VI 149.
How strangeres scanses of thinges that thay heir c1610 Melville Mem. 121.
Euen the wysest princes will not skance sufficiently vpon the parcialites and pretences of some of ther … conseillouris Ib. 336.
Ther commyng and demandis was dyuersly skancit vpon, some supponing … others thocht [etc.] 1638 Cant Serm. (1741) 40.
Howbeit I cannot scance upon kings crowns
