A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Witt(e)ring, -yng, vbl. n. Also: vittering, wyttring, -yng, witering, wrytyng. [ME wit(e)ring (both Cursor M.).] Information, knowledge, news; a sign.(a) 1375 Barb. iv 642.
Takis gud kep till my saw For … I sall ȝow schaw [etc.] … Bot … specially A wyttring [C. witting] her I sall ȝow ma Quhat end that ȝour purpos sall ta 1375 Barb. v 342 (C).
Douglas of thare cummyng, And quhat thai war, had vittering [E. witting] 1375 Barb. ix 569.
Wyttryng 1375 Barb. xiv 261.
He gat sone wittring [C. vittyng] that thai wer Cummand a1400 Leg. S. i 287.
Thar-of quhen Petir witering hade, He folawit on but mar abade c1400 Troy-bk. ii 2507.
Thare gat Pirrus certane wittering: … Menalippus and Pelestenes, To hount in-to that forest c1420 Wynt. i 411 (E).
Noe first send furth the rawin Till get wittering [R. wyttyng] and knawlege Gif that the flud begouth to suage 1460 Hay Alex. 4588.
To God to send thame grace and wittering Quhat best war to be done a1500 Seven S. 2271.
In quhat cuntre scho couth rest He had na wittering 1513 Doug. iv iv 79.
Of thar cuplyng wittering schew the ayr: The flambe of fyreslaucht lychtnyt heir and thar(b) 1513 Doug. ix iv 66.
Langyng ful sair … of hys mynd to haue sur wrytyng [Sm. witteryng, Ruddim. wittering] Thai all desyre sum attentik men be send
