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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

Byganis, n. pl. Also: buyganis, bi-, byganes, -gaines, bygean(i)s. [f. Bygane ppl. a. The Anglicized bygones is common in the 17th c.]

1. Things of the past or done in the past; esp. past offences or injuries. a 1568 Sempill Sat. P. xlvii. 56.
Than cumis conscience … , Greitand for byganis a1578 Pitsc. I. 84/4.
The Earle of Douglas … was ressawit richt hairtfullie be the king and remittit all byganis a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 821.
‘Of by ganes I haif hard,’ quod he, ‘I knaw not things to cum’ 1596 Dalr. II. 164/18.
The Duke … forgaue thame baith al byganes 1615 Highland P. III. 211.
The said George to go to courte … to procure vnto thame ane remissioun for bigaines

2. Payments for past periods; arrears. 1570 Reg. Morton I. 55.
How Dauid Orme may be satisfeit anent the byganis 1583 Edinb. Test. XII. 302 b.
I grant me awand … xij merkis of his fie in compleit payment of all biganes 1584 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 115.
To pay to the saidis pure men all thair biganes conforme to the compt 1614 Crim. Trials III. 299.
Ane precept … to mak him payment of the biganes of his pensioun 1641 Acts V. 366/2.
That ministers may get tymeous payment of thair stipends both for bygeans & to com 1668 Irvine Mun. II. 227.
Quhat they are deu for byganes 1681 Foulis Acc. Bk. 70.
I have given him for byganes 4 s.