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.
Tys(t, v. Also: tyste, tyist(e, tist(e, tyse, tyis, tyisce, ty(i)ce, tis. [ME and e.m.E. tyce(n (a1275), tyse(n (Manning), tice (c1449), OF aticier to provoke, or aphetic f. Entise v.]
1. tr. To entice, seduce, persuade (a person) (to (something)) or to do (something). Also const. away.(a) a1400 Leg. S. xxxvii 266.
Of wenomose tonge That tysis me, tho I be ȝung, Fenȝeand of me til haf mercy & wald my sawle sla vtrely 1456 Hay I 16/31.
Nocht gaynstandand that thai syn, ȝit is that bot … brukilnes of mannis nature tyssit throu the thre inymyes 1456 Hay II 25/5.
That wald … tyce him to forfet … the … noble ordre of knychthede a1500 Prestis of Peblis 238 (Asl.).
To the tavern eith he was to tys a1497, 15.. Gray MS vi 53.
Quhar is Plato … Arestotill … Tullious that wele wauld tis, To tell his trety wer full teyr? c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 132/29.
Sum causles clekis till him ane cowll, Ane gryt convent fra syne to tys 1561 Inverness Rec. I 67.
The foursaidis personis tyisit me to gang in 1567 Reg. Privy C. I 520.
Makand sum assembleis of men, tyiscing and perswading thame to assist him a1568 Bann. MS I p. 15/19.
Latt nocht the wode, infernall cokatrice Fra thé ws tyse 1573–4 Reg. Privy C. II 350.
Johnne Cheyn of Straloch … hes secreitlie tyiscit, hyrit, and be all meanys possibill perswadit the kin … of umquhile Thomas Sangstar … to purches … criminall letters upoun the saidis complenaris a1585 Maitl. Q. 41/1.
Tyice 1634 Wedderburn Gramm. 50.
Elicis, to tyse out(b) pres. 1492 Myll Spect. 275/8.
Quhat perswasionis hes thir wemen now to tyst and draw men to thare luf 1509–10 Edinb. B. Rec. I 128.
That na maner of maister of the said craft tist [sic in MS; ed. lift] hous herbery nor ressaue ony vther maisteris prentice 1535 Stewart 28898.
Thir halie men … prechit the faith of Christ Fra idolatrie the pepill for to tyst 1540 Lynd. Sat. 456 (B).
Tyist c1540 Lynd. Kitteis Conf. 107.
Tyste 1556 Lanark B. Rec. 31.
Geif ony persone or personis tystis byis or rasettis fra ony other mannis servandis … aittis, beir [etc.] 1560 Rolland Seven S. 390.
Tysting the chylde to mony sport and play And to neglect his studie a1561 Norvell Meroure 28a.
Strengthen my spirit, and to thy selfe it tiste 1562-3 Winȝet II 51/12.
His eloquence … is drest be sa grete … force of ressonis, that it may schuit men forduart to the consent thairof, quhome it may nocht aluterlie tyist 1558-66 Knox I 73.
Tyiste 1592–3 Edinb. Surgeons 16.
Euerie prenteis that … tystis and persuadis his formar maisteris customaris fra him [etc.] 1595 Duncan App. Etym.
Suadeo, to tyste, to counsell 1642 Glasgow B. Rec. I 436.
To tyst intyse or perswad any persoune to subscryve any kynd of writtp.t. 1525 Crim. Trials I i 131.
Thai sollist and tistit me to be souerte for him 1533 Bell. Livy I 103/4.
He tyistit the ȝoung men of his ciete to his purpois with his liberalite and gudis, promitting … to rewarde thame condingly to thare plesure 1560 Rolland Seven S. 8262.
Thow … with fals taillis tystit me Aganis iustice to gar my awin sone die 1562 St. A. Kirk S. 145.
Andro … persewit and tyistit hyr to … consent to his lust 1566 Canongate Kirk S. (ed.) 46.
Alexander be dyvers and sindrie tisteningis, bot speciallie wnder promis of marriag, hes had the use of hir bodye … and at Witsonday last wes tistit hir don to his chalmer a1605 Montg. Sonn. lii 3.
Ȝit tedious trauell tystit me to tyrep.p. a1538 Abell 76a.
He wes inwadit and tistit to the wice of the flesche be lord of Walis douchtir a1550 Lang Rosair 192.
Tystit 1562 Edinb. B. Deeds 19.
I in my menoritie … being persuaded and tystit be dyveris persounes haif renuncit … dyweris sowmes … awing to me 1567 Sat. P. vii 102.
Gif that a freind … away war led Be wickit craft, syne tystit war till ill 1666 Glasgow B. Rec. III 80.
Thei have hyred and tysted away … servandis
2. To provoke (to do something); to harass.1513 Doug. xi xiv 13.
Tarchon … The wardis all of euery natioun With admonitions seir and exhortatioun … tystis to feght, for schame 1531 Bell. Boece II 122.
Sic … fury rais in me quhil I was tyistit to do this cruelte 1686 Seafield Corr. 30.
Dureing this sessione off parliamentt all have been so hurried and tist, that I cannot gett all things so instantly exped till this heat be ower
