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.
Usit, Wsit, ppl. adj. Also: usyt, use(i)t, used, ussit, wsyt, wsitt, wsed, ousit. [ME and e.m.E. vsed (Chaucer), wsyd (c1425), used (1450).] Regularly used, customary; accustomed, usual. Also, usit and wont, according to use and custom, customary, see Wont ppl. adj. for further examples; as is usit, as is customary.(1) 1498 Acta Conc. II 245.
[The Lords decern] that the … comunite of Cowper aucht til haf the usit passage with cartis and wanys to cum and gang fra the sade burgh … to thare havin … but ony impediment of the said Alexander 1523–4 Aberd. B. Rec. in Mill Mediæv. Plays 123.
Johne Pill tailȝour … to bring on his breist the wsit taikin of his craft that is to say ane pair of pantit scheris 1555 Edinb. Hammermen 200b.
The samyn being brocht to the auld usit maner with vther libertis mare nor thai hald befor 1584 Shetland Deed MS (Shetland Archives).
We haif procurit … the signett of Laurence Tullocht … be appendit heirto and the merchaunt vsit merkis off Androu Smyth Alane Smyth [etc.] … to be drawin heirto 1596 Dalr. I 60/13.
Thay [sc. Solan geese] … returnes hame agane, to thair accustumed and vsed fude 1596 Dalr. II 362/10.
Sik a custoume, contrare the priuileges and lawis, and vset maneris of the Scotis of awld(2) 1490–1 Liber Melros 600.
Wsyt 1510 Reg. Privy S. I 315/2.
Payand thairfor ȝerelie four pundis thre s. usuale money etc., at twa usuale termez, etc. with all maner of dewiteis usit and wount, etc. 1529–30 Prot. Bk. Thomas Johnsoun 2.
Divine services used and wont for the souls of the founders of the said chapel 1530 Edinb. B. Rec. II 34.
The saidis wobstaris pas all togiddir vndir ane dekin with thair banneris … in processionis … in thair auld place vsit and wount to thame of langtyme bigane passit memore of man 1541 Exch. R. XVII 636.
Payand yeirly xvj martis xvj wadderis [etc.] … with the fishing of the Laggin to be payit to the castell usit and wount 1556 Carte Northberwic 72.
[The vicar of Aberdour] … execut the residew of the said maner of handfasting conforme to the consuetud usit and wont 1565 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III 424.
The said Dauid … to ansuir and obey the said William … of the knaveschip of Heddirvik [etc.] … and the pleucht of Weistir Fintray pertenyng to the said Dauid wsit and wont the tyme of obtenyng of the said William infeftment of the said myln and immediatlie obefor wsit and wont conforme to the said infeftment 1583 Perth B. Ct. 31 May.
For the ȝerlie payment of sex merkis at tua termes vsit and vont to the said Johnne 1589 St. A. B. Ct. 30 Sept.
Pey to the said Magnus for the fraucht off ilk last off the saidis xij lastis off guidis the sowme off aucht merkis money off this realme togidder with ane boll off meill and ane barrell off aill with half towage and half rowage vseit & wont 1600 Misc. Spald. C. IV 286.
With seruice, areadge and careaidge wsitt and wount 1604 Lanark B. Rec. 115.
The cunsall and commonatie … on fuit and hors, raid thair merches ussit and wint c1610 Skene in Misc. Stair Soc. I 148.
The articles of the saidis comptis, giff they be allowabill, or nocht, in tyme cumeing, becaus be inspectioune of useit and wont disorder in tyme bygane, it shall be moire facile, to prescrive ane good ordour in tyme cumeing 1633 Maxwell Mem. II 249.
The deutis wsed and wont 1674 Misc. Spald. C. V 232.
The keiping of the laird of Leyis smidie and peyinge boall as vsit and voant(b) 1661 Galloway P. 4 Feb.
[He is] to pay the equall halfe off all publick burding with dewty and dew servic ousit and wontt(3) 1513 Doug. iii i 64.
To the goddessis of wildyrnes, as is vsyt … I wirschip maid 1547 Breadalbane P. No. 64.
Quhen ony of thaym decessis sall leyf to me or my ayris ane cawylpe of kenkynȝe as is vsit in the contrees abowt c1650 Spalding I 225.
Thair wes no maister act keipit in either of the Abirdeins at Lambes, as wes vsit befoir
b. Made use of sexually.a1568 Bann. MS 261b/12 (see Wyd(e adj. 2 a).
