A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1551-1663
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Try(e)ing, vbl. n. [Late ME and e.m.E. tryynge (Prompt. Parv.), tryenge (1447), trying (1579); Try v.]
1. The action of seeking to ascertain or discovering, finding or locating. (Try v. 2.)1601 Edinb. B. Rec. V 284.
To caus latt furth the North loch at the sicht of [six councillors] for trying of the bounds of Mr. Jhonn Dalyells land at the west end thairof 1610 Glasgow B. Rec. I 317.
The said dean of gild was in trying of ane lyning betuix nychtbouris 1626 Edinb. Univ. Chart. 106.
The other generall visitatioun … for tryeing how the lawes hes bein keiped be all persounes within the said colledge 1639 Thanes of Cawdor 298.
To William Inglisch writter … for trying quher the lairdis trunke and chartor kist was 1649 Criminal Trials III 599.
I, Johne Kincaid, … had some skill and dexteritie in trying of the divellis marke 1652 Peebles B. Rec. II 4.
The baillies to appoynt ane private watche nightlie for trying pykeres of corne, eldine, or green kaille 1663 Glasgow B. Rec. III 4.
To mak the strickest search he can … for trying out of the malt brought to the Gorballes to be broune
2. The action of examining (a craftsman) as to the quality of his work. (Try v. 4.)1551 Glasgow Masons 4.
Craftsmen that are leile and trew … are put to pouyrtie and to utir rewynge throw wanting of ordeure and trying of the fults of unexpart craftsmen 1561 Edinb. B. Rec. III 128.
Thre baillies to await vpoun … the trying of the baxsteris, browsteris, maltmen … regratouris and vtheris enormiteis within the toun 1638 Bk. Univ. Kirk App. xix.
The moderator craved that … judicious men … skilled in dignoscing handwritts … be nominat for tryell of these bookes … but would not lay that burthen on his assessours, for … seing it is refused that they should be members of the assemblie, hee saw not how they could be appointed for trying of these registers
b. The action of testing the quality of (a product or artifact). (Try v. 4 c.)1562 Proceedings of Society of Antiquaries LXXII 225.
In cais questioun … mycht ryis amangis the saidis persons [the pewterers] … anent the trying and marking of the said weschell 1588 Culross I 127.
That the said aill sall be maid sufficient and guid for the said pryce, the saidis beillies and counsall hes chosen cunneris for trying of the samyne 1601 Rec. Convention of Royal Burghs II 118.
That the weseting, trying, comptrolling, and seilling of the claith … be commitit to the magistratis of the brugh 1616 Master of Works Accounts (ed.) II 12.
To Johne Serveice warden of the maisouns ludge for his extraordinarie panis in haiffing the chairge of the rest and in trying of thair wark
c. The action of testing (something) more generally. (Try v. 4 c.)1617 Haddington B. Rec. (Robb) 3 Jan.
The complaint maid … aganis James Ramsay … for … going to the window of thar outschot trying & knoking therat
3. The action of examining (a matter) judicially. (Try v. 5 a.)1631 Justiciary Cases I 177.
Having tane to thair consideratione whilk is the most proper judgement for trying and censuring of materis of this kynde, thay … declares that the tryell and censuring of the said loird … is most proper … to be followed out before his maiesties justice
