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.
Quotation dates: 1399-1420, 1499-1651
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Carling, n. Also: karling; cairl-, kairling; karlyn, carline, -ein, cairllin. [Later form of Kerling.] An old woman.(a) a1400 Legends of the Saints xxx. 157.
Fra he herde the karling mak Sa fare hicht, he can confort tak c1420 Wynt. iii. 762.
Than he fand that drowy doude Amang a pak off karlynys a1500 Buke of the Sevyne Sagis 1968.
Ȝone ald carling and thi awne wyf Sa fowlely thai thé begyle 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. iii. 654.
Vnto the nimphe I maid a busteous braid. Carling (quod I), quhat was ȝone that thow said? c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 136.
Decrepit karlingis on Kennedy cryis owt c1500-c1512 Ib. 221.
Than carlingis cryis [etc.] 1535 Stewart 16181.
Hy thé, carling, … Out of my sicht with thi sorcerie 1535 Ib. 35809.
This ald carling ane prenteis had that tyme, knew weill the craft 1538 Lynd. Justing 15.
He was ane nobill leche, Crukit carlingis he wald gar thame get speche 1542 Elgin Rec. I. 72.
The assise deliuerit that Ellene Ternway vrangit in the calling Megot Stuart schabit, blerit, clangorit carling 15.. Lichtoun Dreme 90.
Thir auld carlingis clames That gentill aill is oft the caus of dremes 1567 Satirical Poems viii. 14.
Nocht bot ane carlingis pett, Ane daft fule or ane drukin dastard 1581 Hamilton Cath. Tr. 21 b.
Ane clatterin carlin … presumes to haue the treu knaulege of theologie 1603 Philotus xxxiii.
Sa busilie as sho is wowane, Sie as the carling craks(b) 1572 Elgin Rec. I. 135.
Calling her vitche kairling, pyker, sprodach, theif 1583 Lanark B. Rec. 89.
Quha said thairefter I leid lyk ane fals loun and blutter cairllin
2. Attrib. and comb. with like, witche (more usually witche carling, q.v.).1638 Bk. Pasquils 44.
A witches son, shame fa' his face, Sa carling lyke, betydes no grace a1651 Calderwood V. 130.
He had not power over a carline witche
