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.
Quotation dates: 1561, 1613-1691
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Spic(e)ing, Spyceing, vbl. n. Also: spising, spyssing. [F. espisser (17th c. in Larousse) to splice ropes.] The splicing of ropes, the action of splicing ropes, etc. 1616 Master of Works Accounts (ed.) II 9.
For spyceing of towes xii s. 1626 Master of Works Accounts (ed.) II 196.
To Williame Tailyefeir … in spyceing of traissis for haimes … and for spyceing the great well tow iii lib. xii s. 1628 Master of Works Accounts (ed.) II 214.
For spyssing the tow of the foir wooll v s. 1677 Sheriffhall Coal Accompt 20 Jan.
For spiceing the water rop 1691 Sheriffhall Coal Accompt.
4 shill. for spising the tow 1691 Sheriffhall Coal Accompt.
For spicing of a tow
b. ? The action of joining or splicing two pieces of timber together; the action of repairing by joining in a new piece of wood in this manner, or, ? by synecdoche, a further example of a above. 1561 Treasurer's Accounts XI 115.
To Johnne Quhippo, wrycht, for spicing and mending of the said bote
c. concr. ? A piece of rope or wood formed by splicing or suitable for carrying out a repair by splicing as in b above. 1613 Proceedings of Society of Antiquaries X 223.
The compt of the haill furnishing to the bark … for ane aix ane hammir and a spyssing I bocht in Zetland xlviijli
d. attrib. With aill. 1691 Sheriffhall Coal Accompt.
4 pints of pyleing aile … 2 pynts of spising aill
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"Spicing vbl. n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/spiceing>
