A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Voydenes, Woidnes, n. [ME and e.m.E. voydenesse, voidnesse (both Wyclif).] a. The quality of being without value or worth. b. Absence, lack of (something). —a. 1490 Irland Mir. II 119/25.
And sene [etc.] … the laif of the creaturis … war producit in wane and thus in the waurld war wacuum I speik nocht of the woidnes corporale … bot of woidnes anens iustice premiacioun or punycion —b. 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 39.
That voydenes of feir I construe to be ane note of maist obstinat haitrent
