A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1538-1669
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Tempering, vbl. n. Also: temporing. [ME and e.m.E. tempring (Wyclif), temperynge (Prompt. Parv.), tempering (Shakespeare); Tempir v.]
1. The action of the verb. a. The regulating of (a clock) (Tempir v. 5). 1538 Aberd. B. Rec. I 157.
For his gud seruice to be done in keiping and temporing of thair knok 1544 Ayr Common Good Acc.
To Johnne Feane for tempering of the knok ij s. 1546–7 Perth Guildry 240 (8 March).
Temporing 1560 Inverness Rec. I 46.
Temporing 1614–15 Dumbarton Common Gd. Acc. 4.
To John Scot for tempering of the knok … 4 lib. 13 s. 4 d. 1622 Perth Kirk S. MS 8 April.
Archibald Steidman … to haue ȝeirlie … threttye pundis … by and attour the fee appoynttit to him … for his seruice in ringing of the bellis and tempering of the knok
b. The hardening or tempering of (metal) (Tempir v. 6). Also attrib. with beir, appar., a payment made to the blacksmith in a particular place. 1566 Treasurer's Accounts XII 36.
The officiaris of the cunȝehous … To James Gray, sincker of the irnis … Item to the said James for tempering of the irnis … iij li. vj s. viij d.attrib. 1669 Philorth Baron Ct. II 90.
Ilk man to pay to George Glany ane pek of tempering beir
2. The consistency of (a material). 1584-9 Maxwall Commonpl. Bk. Prov. No. 188.
The tender ȝouth of a childe is lyke the tempering of newe waxe, apt to receiue ony forme
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"Tempering vbl. n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/tempering>
