A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Sla(w)nes, n. [Chiefly north. ME slaunes (Cursor M.), slawnes (Rolle), slawnesse (Prompt. Parv.), midl. and south. ME and e.m.E. sloghnes (Manning), slownes (1414); Slaw adj.] Lack of speed (of actions, processes, etc.); sluggishness, sloth; tardiness; recalcitrance.a1400 Leg. S. xxvii 485.
Machore … reprowyt the mastir … Of his tary & his slawnes a1400 Leg. S. xxviii 51.
Herbryt in hyre mycht be na vise, Na slawnes, na lychery [etc.] 1566 Reg. Privy C. I 441.
The greit delay and slawnes of justice within this realme 1573–4 Cal. Sc. P. IV 667.
It may pleis your majeste to excuis my slawnes that hes nocht ansuerit ȝour gracious letter to me 1587 Carmichael Etym. 28.
Segnities, slawnes 1589 Reg. Privy C. IV 428.
Ouer grite slawnes in the mater of my mariage 1596 Dalr. II 423/13.
The negligence of the Catholickis throw thair slawnes 1599 Elgin Rec. II 72.
The officiaris ar found gryt fault with for their slawnes in not poynding persons for absence 1587-99 Hume 81/32.
Thou knawes what hurt and grief thy slawnes and slouthfulnes hes wrought thee 1600 Crim. Trials II 235.
Thay … craue … his maiestie pardoun for thair ouer lang slawnes and doubting thairof(b) 1629 Linlithgow B. Rec. 14 Nov.
The slanes off the burgess in bidding for the commoune guid … at the rowping thairof
