A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Alsmekill, Alsmekle, n., a., and adv. Also: alsmekil(e, -mekyl(l, -meikill, allsemekill, alsmikle, -mykil. [Als adv., Mekill a. and n., written together as one word.]
1. n. As much; as great a quantity, etc.c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 311.
Twenty thousande Of markes of golde … And alsmekile of syluere fyne 1428 Wemyss Chart. II. 58.
It sall be lefull till the said Robert … to remane with alsmekil of the lands … as pertenis til the said persowneris 1432 15th Rep. Hist. MSS. App. viii. 44.
[The] said Willȝam inlowand to the said Schir Thomas … alsmekill as he has resauit fra the said Schir Thomas 1456 Hay I. 132/31.
I mycht tak it fra him … or alsmekle of his gudis as it war worth 1494 Treas. Acc. I. 245.
George of Corntone, v s. on the day; Riche Torre, alsmekyll on the day 1538 Dunferm. B. Rec. 28.
To content and pay … for ane chalder of beir … alsmekil as he seillis [= sells] the laif of the said beir 1552 Reg. Cupar A. II. 102.
The saidis [persons] … sal haif powar to big alsmekill as thai think speidfull 1622-6 Bisset II. 70/13.
The putting of ane act in the buikis, iiij d. … And the extracting of the samin alsmekill
b. In the phrase for alsmekill, for as much, whereas.1444 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 10.
For alsmykil as … the king has writtin to yhour lordschip … we counsaill [etc.] 1450 Exch. R. V. 425.
For alsmekill as we have assignit … till oure loved Patrik Lyndesay five markis 1472 Lennox Mun. 86.
For alsmekill as the said Lord Dernlee has … maid hugis expensis [etc.] c1520-c1535 Nisbet Acts xii. 20.
Thai askit pece, for alsmekile [Wycl. as myche] that thare cuntreis war vitalit of him
2. adj. As much.1405 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III. 201.
Thai sal mak the saide Erle of Mar alsmekil land or annuale rent [etc.] 1549 Buccleuch Mun. II. 191.
Allsemekill feis and profectes as … [he] had … for his serues dowin to ws 1556–7 Edinb. B. Rec. 260.
To deliuer to King James alsmekill satine as wilbe him ane dowblat 1600-1610 Melvill 260.
That annexation … hes done the King alsmikle guid as sic promises
3. adv. As greatly or fully.1456 Hay II. 28/1.
And [= if] the office war alsmekle honourit for evill dedis … as it is now for gude dedis 1569-73 Bann. Memor. ii.
Feid France with fair words, and luike alsmeikill to the admirallis factione as ye may 1581 Burne Disput. 14 b.
Sua lauch alsmekle as ye pleis