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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.

Behalf, n. Also: behalff, behalfe, behaulf, behaiff. [ME. behalf(e, var. of behalve Behalve n.]

1. On (or upon), of, in, for (one's) behalf, on account of, in the interests of; in the name of. Also in (the) name and behalf.(1) 1456 Hay I. 261/27 (gif ony frende on hir behalf walde defend hir honour); 287/33 (on Goddis behalf). 1482 Edinb. Chart. 155 (in thare names and vppon thare behalf). c1515 Asl. MS. I. 217 (on the kingis behalf). 1511 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III. 107 (he will not sett it to me in your behalf). 1560 Acts II. 605/2 (in ambassat fra and on behalf of the estatis). 1562-3 Winȝet I. 14/24 (in the landis behaif). 1631 Stirling's Royal Lett. II. 565 (for his behaiff).(2) 1510 Lennox Mun. 189 (in the nayme and behalf of aene honorable man). 1548 Ibid. II. 132 (to watche be thame selffis or vther persouns in thair names and behalf). 1630 St. A. Baxter Bks. 82 (in name and behalf of Robert Horsbruik).

2. In this behalf, on this account, in this respect. Also in ony behalf, in all (etc.) behalfis.1533 Bell. Livy I. 71/27 (persounis send furth in this behalf); II. 34/24 (to accuse thame in this behalf). 1539 Prot. Bk. J. Cristisone 66 (gif I have failȝeit in ony behaulf). 1560 Rolland Seven S. 270/21 (se that ȝe furneist be In all behalfis). 1592 Douglas Corr. 36 (your effectuall dealing in this behalff).