Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

Hald, Hauld, Had, v. Also: hald(e, hauld(e, haild, haud, hawd, had, hadd, hade, haid. P.t. held, helle, heald, heild, hild, hyld(e, helt. P.p. haldin, -ine, -yn, -en, haldne, hauldin(g, had(d)in; hald, hold; haleing (? erron.). [Northern ME. hald (p.t. held, hild, p.p. halden), ME. holde(n, halde(n, ONhb. halda, WS. healdan (p.t. héold, p.p. ᵹehalden, -healden).]The usual forms are: inf. hald, hauld, had; p.t. held; p.p. haldin, hauldin, had(d)in. Occasional variants, mainly late, are illustrated in the following examples.(a) 1520 Stirling B. Rec. I. 2.
Na persoun … sall haild ony s[w]yen wtwith … housses c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlix. 36 (B).
Frome hennis … Micht non him hawd 1605 Dundonald Par. Rec. 90.
To haid doun the sclander of the … adulterie 1566 Peebles B. Rec. 302.
The millar … sall nethir haild geis, foullis nor suyne(b) a1400 Legends of the Saints i. 87.
He … but met hild him in that halde a1400 Ib. xxii. 724.
Mony feyndis hyld thare way1459-60 Newburgh B. Ct. 1.
For he wrangwysly hylde fra Heinry of Hynglaesy ... xx s. of vsuall monay of Scotlandc1460 Alex. (Taym.) 884.
Quhan Alexander baith gold and clething delt Till his awin corps small clething he helt1570 Leslie 231.
All that the ennemies heild within Scotland 1625 Garden Sc. Kings 6.
He … those in veneratioun hild(c) 1567 Peebles B. Rec. 306.
To be reput and haildin as dissobaiaris1612 Inverness Rec. II. 89.
Designit, reput and haleing as vagabowndis —a1500 Golagros and Gawane 963.
The hathill, that haltane war hold [: fold, mold] 1513 Doug. vi. Prol. 68.
To be hald vagabund 1562-3 Winȝet I. 56/1.
Godis word … [thai] boistit thame to hef hald

1. To hold in or with the hand(s) or arms. Also to hald the pleugh, to manage the plough as ploughman (in contradistinction to to call or drive the beasts drawing the plough, as the caller): cf. Wyf Awcht. 42 in 19 below and Spalding I. 141, 1686 Erskine Diary 206, s.v. Call v. 3.c1420 Wynt. iv. 2606.
He sawe … a lytill barne … Haldyn in hyr armys twa c1420 Ib. v. 1914.
Thai … tuk and held hym stalwartly a1447 Bower Chron. II. 376.
Als siker for to hald as a watir eil a1500 Golagros and Gawane 1165.
He straik … with ane wand The quilk he held in hand a1500 Buke of the Sevyne Sagis 2585.
That ȝe sal me the basyn hald 1535 Stewart 1553.
In his hand his heid that he man hald 1533 Boece ix. xi. 313 b.
In the left [hand] halding his … staff a1578 Pitsc. I. 131/30.
Worthie … rather to haue haldin the pleugh a1598 Ferg. Prov. 4.
As good hads the stirrep, as he that loups on

b. With complement denoting manner or position. Also of a thing other than the hand.1456 Hay II. 48/26.
As the sadill, with the grathe that langis to it, haldis him ferme a1500 Henr. Fab. 526.
God … haldand the balandis euin a1570-86 Q. Schaw Maitland Folio MS cxlvi. 17.
Hauld not ȝour sale ouir pres 1533 Boece ix. xi. 313 b.
Sanct Colme … held his richt hand on the kingis hede a1598 Ferg. Prov. 10 b.
He can hald the cat to the sun c1615 Chron. Kings 115.
Scho had to be hadine on horsebak 1620 Ellon Presb. 112.
Be ane … pistoll haldin to his breist 1657 R. Moray Lett. 14/24 Dec.
If you but chirp, I'll gar you as good hadd a low to the bull1692 Presbyterian Eloquence (ed. 2) 81.
It is Christ, sirs, hadd him fast then

c. To set or place firmly or under control.To hald fute, to keep (one's) footing (also fig.); to keep pace (with).c1420 Wynt. v. 1356.
Thai suld clyme … And stedfastly thare steppys hald 1456 Hay I. 110/34.
Thir ressounis … may hald na fut in lautee a1500 Taill of Rauf Coilȝear 19.
Thair micht na folk hald na fute on the heich fell a1500 Henr. Orph. 188.
For slydirnes scant mycht he hald his fete c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 748.
Sa rudelie thay did rushe togidder, That nane micht hald thair feit for slidder 1598 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 234.
[The scholars,] except thai be utterlie fund … unhable to hald fute with thair marrowes, sall nocht be put bak

d. To hald hand to: see Hand n. 10.

2. To keep for oneself, to retain as one's own. Also const. fra (another). Also const. aff ( = away from) another.(1) 1375 Barb. xv. 517.
The pray … delit he, And held no thing till his behuf a1400 Legends of the Saints vi. 350.
He that gyffis his almus … Quhen to hald it he has powere c1420 Wynt. v. 1157.
Swa tynt and haldyn war eyne twa 1456 Hay I. 205/20.
Men that wrangwisly haldis othir mennis gudis 1515 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 158.
Gif the toun haldis bot the mylnis … into thair handis 1535 Stewart 20590.
Gif ony … war so pert ane pennyworth to had [: defraude] 1567 Gude and Godlie Ballatis 9.
Hald na mannis geir, lat nane thé craif(2) a1400 Legends of the Saints xxii. 638.
Thre housis … [had] he wonnyne … & hadine [sic] thame … fra haly kyrk 1456 Hay I. 205/15.
A man … that haldis his gudis wrangwisly fra him 1474 Prestwick B. Rec. 24.
He helde wrangwisli frae him ane achtand part of ry 1542 Elgin Rec. I. 69.
Allegand the said Androu … held fra him iiii ellnis … of color de roy a1578 Pitsc. I. 254/11.
My pensieoun quhilk is haldin frome me wrangouslie (3) 1599 Rollock Wks. I. 388.
See how he haldis aff him the proud conceitis of men. Hald proud men aff God and let them not touche him a1699 Skene Agric. MS.
Becawse if they [calves] sowke longer they becomme so browden that they cannot be haldin of the paipe

b. To escape losing, to save (one's life).1375 Barb. xiv. 361.
With mekill payne thai … held thar livis a1500 Buke of the Sevyne Sagis 2486.
He … bad hir quhill scho held hir lyf The knycht to luf 1526 Carnwath Baron Ct. 43.
To bring furth the meir for to hald hir lyf

c. intr. To hold on to (till), to retain, keep. 1442 Raine N. Durham App. 105.
Till distreyin and hald till all arrerage and dettez

3. a. To keep by force, to detain or confine.1375 Barb. ix. 457.
Presoneris … He send quhar thai mycht haldin be a1400 Legends of the Saints i. 115.
He that wrechit mane Held … in presone a1400 Ib. xxix. 376.
He bad the lady suld be lacht, & haldine with hyme for the fracht c1420 Wynt. i. 354.
Thar Goemagog wes tane And haldyn quyk c1420 Ib. viii. 7133.
The Pape … Gert hym be … haldyn into keiping fast 1456 Hay I. 153/12.
He may hald his persoun quhill he cum to the … king c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace vii. 1307.
To get his … king Fra Inglis men, that held him in bandoune 1498 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 73.
To be set on the goif and thair haldin thrie dayisc1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 210.
To hald a freke, quhill he faynt, may foly be callit a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 273.
Scottis lordis … he gart hald … In firmance fast 1530 Proceedings of Society of Antiquaries II. 391.
Gilbert Robison sall be haldyn & cloissit in hys house for xx dayis 1533 Bell. Livy II. 166/21.
He was haldin in lang captiuite by his creditouris for dett c 1600 Misc. Spald. C. II. 58.
Mare, Quene of Scotland, beand haldin in In[g]land be the spece of xviij yeir 1661 Black Sc. Witches 44.
Ane letter … sheuing furth that they hald tuo confessing witchis ther

b. To keep in store or in hand.1452 Acts II. 41/2.
That na maner of wittail be haldin in gyrnall 1484 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 49.
That na fische be halden nor keipit into houssis a1500 Bk. Chess 1618.
With this merchand … Fyve hundreth ducatis left he for to hald

c. To keep as contents.c1460 Wys Man's Consail 3525.
As lekand weschell haldis no thinge

4. To keep back, hinder from going, detain.14.. Acts I. 59/2.
Of kynd borne bondman fleand and agane haldyn [L. retento] ?1438 Alex. ii. 1452.
The armes [that] … Hald sa lang the nobill steid That he na prik endlang the meid 1456 Hay I. 60/34.
A consul … wald hald him at the portis, and nocht geve him entree a1500 Taill of Rauf Coilȝear 493.
Thow huifis on the holtis and haldis me heir c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlix. 42 (M).
Fra hence [B. hennis] agane Nane mycht him hald c1552 Lynd. Mon. 4729.
Thay hauld the corps at the kirk style

b. refl. To keep oneself away, fra, etc.14.. Acts I. 29/2.
Bot gif he haldis hym away fraudfully a1500 Taill of Rauf Coilȝear 373.
Thow gaif him ane outragious blaw. … For thy hald ȝow fra the Court a1570-86 Balnavis Maitland Folio MS cxxix. 50.
Hald thé afar sic chauffer [B. chaif wair] for to prysa1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 1273.
Ȝe knaw, sir, ȝe aw … To hald ȝe ay behind

c. To restrain (hand or tongue); to prevent.c1460 Wys Man's Consail 1380.
Quhat is he worth na tunge can hald c1500 Rowll Cursing 60.
The choikis that haldis the chaftis fra chowing c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 802.
To straik no moir, bot hald thair hand 1562-3 Winȝet I. 139/21.
I wald ȝit anis agane bid ȝou hald ȝour hand 1573 Criminal Trials I. 512.
Quha answerit me ‘Had your tongue’ 1603 Philotus xc.
Rage not, gude gosse, bot hald ȝour toung

5. a. To have in possession.1375 Barb. i. 488.
Thai … haldis this land but enchesoune 1375 Ib. iv. 349.
Ynglis men that … haldis the lordschip of this land 1375 Ib. vi. 183.
The heritage … till hald for a ȝeir 14.. Acts I. 22/2.
He … that has haldyn his lande a twelfmoneth and a day. … wythoutyn chalangyng c1420 Wynt. v. 3042.
To … wyn thare land And hald the empyr in his hand c1420 Ib. vi. 1116.
Ane othir [pope] haldand that ilk stede 1431 Reg. Great S. 45/2.
Till hald … als frely … and in pese as ony pensioun or annuale is giffyn 1475 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 30.
To be haldin … the said ile and chapell … to the saidis craftismen 1542 Reg. Cupar A. II. 26.
To be haldin … the saidis teind schewis and vicarage … to the saidis Walter

b. To keep by defence, or by conquest.1375 Barb. iv. 186.
How Neyll the Bruce held Kyndrummy Agane his sone 1375 Ib. xvii. 214.
Men and vittaill … Till hald casteil or toune of wer a1400 Legends of the Saints vii. 475.
In na maner tha mocht Lange hald the towne c1420 Wynt. viii. 4120.
Williame Bollok the castelle Off Cowpyr held 1456 Hay I. 242/13.
Suppos thai stele a place and hald it, thai mak na were a1500 Doug. King Hart 774.
The castell ȝet is strang aneuche to hald a1570-86 Maitland Maitland Folio MS xcv. 14.
Giff men wald thair housis hald, Than wax thai bald to burne and sla

c. To remain in (a place).c1420 Wynt. iv. 458.
All thaire fyrys thai gert baulde, As thai waid styll thaire herbry haulde a1500 Buke of the Sevyne Sagis 797.
Scho held chalmer with lytill sang a1500 Bk. Chess 2062.
As the quene the poynt anguler suld hald a1500 Prestis of Peblis 412.
Gods pleuch may neuer hald the fur c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 201.
Thow held the burcht lang with ane borrowit goun 1533 Boece ix. i. 286.
Ambrois, … consumytin person, … held his bed 1559 Corr. M. Lorraine 416.
I have bene maist pairt constrenit … to hald my bed

6. To hold (esp. land) by feudal tenure. Const.: of the superior. Freq. in the p.p.(a) 1375 Barb. ii. 461.
To … serve the king off Ingland, And off him for to hald the land 1385 3rd Rep. Hist. MSS. 410/1.
To schaw … throw qwat chartir or ewydens thai halde or clemys to hald the landys ?1438 Alex. ii. 17.
He … of him tuke to hald his land, And maid him manrent with his hand 1446 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I. 250.
That he sall appropir that croft to the lands of Edinglasse that he haldis of the Erll c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace i. 64.
Full sutailly he chargit thaim … till hald of hym the croun 1564 Protocol Book of J. Scott 8 b.
Landis and acarris quhilkis he haddis instantlie of the saidis commendator 1606 Acts IV. 288/1.
Subiectis quha haldis thair landis … of oure said sonerane lord in frie blenshe(c) 1393 Reg. Morton II. 192.
With sic fredome as the saide barony is haldyn … of the king 1473–4 Treasurer's Accounts I. 5.
A new infeodacione of his landis … to be haldin of the King in warde and relef and commoune soyt 1492 Acts Lords of Council 241/1.
He clamit the saidis landis to be a tennandry of Bothuile, and haldin of him in cheiff as erle of Bothuile 1540 Acts II. 375/1.
The saidis apprisit landis to be haldin of the immediat superiour therof 1573 Inverness B. Rec. I. 231.
The saidis landis ar haldin in burgage 1642 Orkney Rentals iii. 24.
Thair is sundrie lands … halden in blensch of the Bischops of Orknay 1655 Mun. Univ. Glasg. I. 349.
[Lands] to be halden be them … in frie blenche

b. absol. To hold lands, etc., under a superior.1375 Barb. i. 155.
Gyff thow will hald in cheyff off me Foreuirmar 1456 Hay I. 24/26.
The dignitee of the empire haldis of the haly kirk 1456 Ib. 126/1.
Men sais he haldis of na man, bot of God c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace i. 69.
Till hald of hym he granttit at the last c1515 Asloan MS I. 194/1.
Thai held of him in Yngland, richt as the Ynglis king held and suld hald of the king of Fraunce a1500 Henr. Fab. 2589.
Thay think thay hald of nane, be thay als gay ?1549 Monro W. Isles 48.
The mid countrey … perteins to Clanronald, halding of the Clandonaldfig. a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 322.
And knaw, kene skald, I hald of Alathya

7. To conduct or carry on; to administer (law); to keep (house).(1) 1375 Barb. iv. 96.
Mony tymes … thai wald … bargane at the barras hald a1400 Legends of the Saints xxx. 29.
Corow for to hald with sic wifis c1420 Wynt. viii. 3146.
The Erle of Murrawe … Wardane was, the lauch haldand14.. Burgh Laws c. 52 (A).
Quha may hald oynys?1438 Alex. ii. 1940.
I hard … how that Clarus And ȝe held speke of Ydeus 1456 Hay I. 219/34.
Haldand and manetenand … bataillis in barrieris clos c1460 Thewis Gud Women 141.
[Let her] syt nocht doune to hald talkyne a1500 Henr. Fab. 116.
Quhen … it wes found As now I set to hald na argument a1500 Prestis of Peblis 198.
He held ane chope to sell his chaffery 1500 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 83.
Ilk master haldane buth within this … burgh c1500-c1512 Dunb. ix. 62.
Off quick and deid to cum and hald jugement 1533 Boece ix. viii. 303 b.
The grete men … in myddis of the strete quhare he held law slew him 1548 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 142.
That na … persoun hald oppin tavern bot thai that ar burgessis(2)14.. Burgh Laws c. 106 (A).
Quhar he haldis hous15.. Sym & Bruder 41.1556 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 258.
In consideratioun of his remanyng within this burgh haldand hous 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 230.
Drewrie the merschell of Berwick his wyfe come in, and held hous in Restalrig 1585 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 445.
That na syngill wemen be fund halding ane howse be thame selff 1602 Shetland Sheriff Ct. 9.
Becaus … Nicole Oirneson hauldis hous to them

8. To hold (a court, assembly, market, etc.). Freq. in p.p. Also fig.(a) 1375 Barb. i. 410.
To Strivilling … For till hald thar ane assemble ?1438 Alex. ii. 2056.
The tua held court … With glaidschipe ?1438 Ib. 7406.
Thare sall worship hald court 1508 Antiq. Aberd. & B. II. 333.
Giffand … full pouar curtis in the said land … to fens, begyne, and hald 1513 Doug. x. Prol. 166.
Thow haldis court our cristall hevynnys cleir 1559 Coll. Aberd. & B. 313.
Bailley courtis … to proclaime, sett, affixe, and hauld 1558-66 Knox II. 382.
Yf thei so did, she wald hald no Parliament 1570 Satirical Poems x. 258.
To hald the airis in thay parts he was bowne 1622-6 Bisset I. 40/14.
To oure belovittis that haldis oure courtis of parliament(c) 1385 Rotuli Sc. II. 73/1.
That day of redress sal be halden betwix tham … at the place befor saide 1388 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III. 294.
In the mene tyme all the courtis of that land … sall be haldin thruch thaim bathe 14.. Acts I. 21/2.
Bot gif [= unless] the fayre be haldin in the burgh c1420 Wynt. vii. 1877.
Swa wes gret cownsalys sere Haldyn offt off this matere 1485 Acts II. 170/2.
[To] caus his justice airis to be haldin … twys in the ȝere 1498 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 75.
That all scuillis scail and nane to be haldin 1527 Maxwell Mem. 258.
The court off the baronrye off Glasgw, halding in the wiccar's place off the qweir 1542 Proceedings of Society of Antiquaries II. 400.
Ane wappinshawin to be haldin in Gledsmuir on Sanct Helynes day a1578 Pitsc. II. 213/30.
At this tyme thair was no cessioun hauldin becaus of the pest 1607 Urie Baron Ct. 11.
The curt of the barronney of Wrie, haldene at Cowie 1647 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 55.
Quhilk electioun wes hauldin at the Womanhill

b. To keep (an appointed day or place).1385 Rotuli Sc. II. 73/2.
The day on the Est Marche sall be delaied … to be halden on the xxix day of May c1420 Wynt. viii. 4472.
At Tarbart he wes qwhille Haldand dayis wyth Jhone off Ile 1507 Edinb. Chart. 192.
To begyn and hald the dais ande placis forsaid yerlie

9. To continue on or along (a, or one's, way or course). Also fig.1375 Barb. iii. 234.
He left the toune and held his way 1375 Ib. VIII. 144.
Gif he dar hald the vay That he has said a1400 Legends of the Saints xvii. 37.
He vald To that foreste his gat hald c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 1962.
Plane land … Quhare thai mycht hald thare cours saifly c1420 Wynt. vi. 2068.
Towart the sowth to hald the trade c1420 Ib. viii. 4136.
In a bate Fra Rothisay thai held the gate c1460 Thewis of Wysmen 133.
Tyll hald the mydlyng way Is best c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace xi. 1087.
South thai him led, ay haldand the waist land 1513 Doug. iii. x. 54.
To follow the wynd, and hald na courssis rycht 1552 Protocol Book of R. Lumsdane 20.
Haldand the watter passaig … quhill it cum to ane furd 1572 Satirical Poems xxxi. 40.
And thai hald gait, … Sic murther salbe in all land 1613 Frasers of Philorth Chart. 274.
Halding the said stank till it cum to the … Kirktoun of Philorthe

b. absol. To go on, proceed, make one's way.1375 Barb. x. 397.
Als-soyn thai Held carpand inward on thair way1375 Ib. xix. 249.
Thai held furth soyin till Inglanda1400 Legends of the Saints i. 135.
Than Paul to the presone can halde a1400 Ib. xxx. 461.
Scho … Held on the merket wart c1420 Wynt. ii. 708.
Thay … Held to their schippis but delay c1420 Ib. iv. 2239.
In the se He lape, and … Held on till hys schyppis 1458 Liber Aberbr. 104.
Haldand eist to the cors-stane a1500 Henr. Fab. 1505.
Quhen scho wes gone, the lyoun held to hunt 1513 Doug. i. viii. 107.
Blithly we suld hald towart Italy 1513 Ib. ii. xi. 120.
Haldyng bakwart ilk futstep we had gane 1513 Ib. xi. iii. 41.
Now haldis on1513 Ib. ix. vi. heading.1563 Echt-Forbes Chart. 98.
Hauldand southwart the said auld dyik to the southwest cruik thairof 1615 Aberd. B. Rec. II. 325.
Hauldand vp the said … dycke southerlie

10. To keep or maintain (persons or animals).(1) 1375 Barb. ix. 424.
He held with him self a gret menȝe 1425 Montgomery Mem. 9.
He sal hald the said Anny … and a damysale with hir 1438 Acts II. 32/2.
Quhare thar is ony rebellys … within ony castellys or fortalicis resett or haldyn 1450 Antiq. Aberd. & B. II. 344.
To hald them at the scule that will be clerkis ay while thay be beneficed c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace i. 342.
Schir Ranald weylle durst nocht hald Wallas thar 1516 Reg. Privy S. I. 417/1.
To put and hald xxiiij werkmen … to lawboure in the mynd 1530 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 30.
Haldand hir dochtir seik within hir hous 1550 Edinb. Hammermen 2.
That thar be na vacabundis seruand halding nor resauit amangis thame 1592 Lanark B. Rec. 108.
Ane doctour [is] to be halding onder him 1606 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV. 58.
Nane of thame … sall … hous or hald … the said … fugitiwes(2) 1470 Prestwick B. Rec. 15.
Of the swyne haldin in the burgh … That na man halde ony swyne bot ane 1498 Reg. Morton II. 253.
With fredome to hald ane horse … summyr and wyntyr 1534 Prestwick B. Rec. 54.
Haldane thame [sc. cattle] apoun the commone gers of the towne 1577 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 63.
That thair be na swyn nor geis haldin nor pasturat withtin the burro rudis about the towin bot haldin buind in houssis

11. refl. To keep or maintain (oneself) in a certain state. With adj. or phrase as complement.1375 Barb. vi. 528.
He … held hym in-to cowert ay a1400 Legends of the Saints iii. 187.
I sall … hald me still c1420 Wynt. v. 2595.
Quha that haldys hym in the lawe c1420 Ib. viii. 4443.
Othir worthy wycht men … Held thame as to the Scottis fay ?1438 Alex. ii. 1344.
Thay thairin richt preuelly Thame held c1420 Ratis Raving 894.
Hald thé content thar with all c1460 Wys Man's Consail 129.
Hald thé in al gud manys grace c1460 Thewis Wysmen 98.
He … haldis hyme with gud cumpany c1500 Fyve Bestes 233.
Wysest ȝe ar quhen that ȝe hald ȝow still 1533 Boece ix. vi. 299 b.
Like as we war all … sworne … , to hald ws at wantoun and fryant chere 1547 Misc. Spald. C. V. 309.
Als lang as my wyff haldis her unmaryit a1540 Freiris Berwik 500.
Bot hald ȝow clois, quhill I haif done my cure a1585 Maitland Quarto MS ii. 67.
Of ail sic faultis hauld ȝow frie 1596 Dalr. II. 353/15.
In the weiris he … sa coragiouslie held him selfe a1598 Ferg. Prov. 8.
He is wise when he is well can had him sa

12. To keep, maintain, or preserve in a certain state or way denoted by the context: a. With adjective complement.1375 Barb. iii. 274.
Thai that wald Thar hartis wndiscumfyt hald c1420 Wynt. iv. 2243.
Haldand owthe the wattyre ay Hys a hand … And swa held all his lettrys dry 1456 Hay II. 31/32.
Ane othir poynt … is to halde his armouris cleine and faire 1494 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 422.
That ane persone sall halde the haill common gaitis … clene c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 450.
We dule for na euill deid, sa it be derne haldin c1500-c1512 Id. xix. 47.
I may no mans tung hald still 1514 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 40.
That thar be bot thre portis haldin oppin 1530 Acts Lords of Council XLI. 96.
To hald your gracis realme cummirles thairof 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 58.
The gout … haldis me besy both day and nycht 1583 Sempill Sat. P. xlv. 125.
Carruse and hald the cannikin clinking 1596 Dalr. II. 181/3.
To correct and had doun his … spirit, … or at leist to halde him laich 1600-1610 Melvill 67.
He wald … bauldlie hauld thair eares fow of the treuthe

b. With prepositional phrases, esp. in (some state); or other complement.(1) 1375 Barb. i. 118.
A king, that mycht Have haldyn veyle the land in rycht c1420 Wynt. v. 856.
That the Iowys na thing doucht To be haldyn in serwyce 1456 Hay I. 6/17.
The barnes of Israel quhen thai war sa lang haldin in … subjeccioun 1456 Ib. 215/28.
[Thai] helde the peple ay in thair foresaid fredome c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace i. 2.
Our antecessowris, that we suld of reide, And hald in mynde thar nobille worthi deid c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace v. 873.
Warly thai raid, and held thar hors in aynd c1515 Asloan MS I. 226/2.
He held all Angus in his bandoun 1513 Doug. i. vii. 77.
Lo, heir his worschip is haldin in memor a1500 Id. King Hart 523.
How lang think ȝe to hald me in exile? 1567 Gude and Godlie Ballatis 104.
To hald, O God, thy word and vs in thrall a1570-86 Maitland Maitland Folio MS clxxiv. 61.
Sic punusching hauldis ws in awe 1626 Banff Annals I. 55.
To reull and hald the knok in temper … daylie(2) c1460 Thewis of Wysmen 178.
Thai … haldis thair lustis at serfage c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace vii. 677.
Erll Malcolm als the Lennox held at es c1500-c1512 Dunb. v. 25.
Scho … held Sanct Peter at stryfe(3) 1499 Treasurer's Accounts I. 118.
To ix persons that wes haldin on lyve quhen thai past to Dwchale 1543 Corr. M. Lorraine 32.
The governour … causit ane bot to be hadin one flot(4) a1500 Bk. Chess 2079.
A prince suld haue sic regiment His folk to rewll & hald to his entent(5) c1420 Wynt. vi. 1881.
He … held hyr bathe his wyff and qweyne 1575 Edinburgh Testaments II. 397 b.
As lang as scho … haldis the bairnis togidder

c. To keep in a certain direction.1513 Doug. xi. xiv. 98.
Aruns … held on hir hys E, Lurkand at wayt 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 113.
He durst not had his face to the persewaris

13. To observe or adhere to.1375 Barb. i. 514.
The barownys … Aythis maid To hald that thai forspokyn haid 1375 Ib. xiii. 542.
His cwnnand has he haldyne wele a1400 Legends of the Saints xli. 250.
[The prefect] deput in his sted thare, The law to hald thame, a vicare 1399 Melville Chart. 15.
Al thir thingis forwretyne to be kepit and haldyn c1420 Wynt. ii. 21.
Haldande tyme be tyme the date, As Orosius quhylum wrate c1420 Ib. v. 2941.
Oure falowys has lefft the fay That oure eldrys held alway 1456 Hay I. 104/33.
Suppos the Sarazenis … hald nocht the poyntis of the ewangele 1456 Ib. II. 105/27.
A king sulde nocht … hecht nathing bot that he will halde a1500 Henr. Fab. 1213.
He … held the text and glose of the decries c1515 Asloan MS I. 174/14.
Thar saying and promys [suld be] fermely haldin and kepit 1513 Doug. viii. ix. 119.
The cumpany … held array Throw scroggy bussys 1562-3 Winȝet II. 52/20.
That thing onlie decretis he to be haldin a1570-86 Maitland Folio MS cxxx. 142.
Allace that euer the toung suld hecht That hart thocht not to hauld

14. To have or maintain in use, custom, or practice.(1) 1375 Barb. iv. 726.
To thame that haldis kyndly maneris 1456 Hay I. 66/13.
How jurisdictioun … come first … to be haldin amang men c1460 Thewis Wysmen 222.
Thai hald euer faloschip with thar feris c1460 Consail Wys Man 365.
With crabyt men hald na cumpany a1500 Henr. Fab. 2231.
The caller cryit: ... Hald draucht, my dowis a1500 Taill of Rauf Coilȝear 225.
The king held gude countenance c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxxii. 19.
To sic ane tribbill to hald ane bace 1513 Doug. ii. iv. 16.
The salt fame stouris from the fard thai hald 1513 Ib. iii. Prol. 74.
Quhidder sal I spek now, or hald my pace 1570 Leslie 139.
The doctrine haldin and techet be the catholique kirk 1620 Perth Kirk S. MS. 4 Jan.
Becaus it may perrell the haill tenement of land to hald ingill in it [a room without a chimney] 1622-6 Bisset I. 221/3.
The lordis haldand sylence, the chancellare … sail ask … everie lordis voit(2) c1400 Troy-bk. i. 483.
A folk … Opynioun held of Medea, That [etc.] c1420 Wynt. i. 74.
In the felde of Damask … , or in the wale of Ebrun, As sum haldis opynyon 1456 Hay I. 86/10;
Arestotle … haldis the contrair of this c1552  Lynd. Mon. 1731.
 Josephus haldis opinioun, Sayand [etc.]

15. a. To think, believe, consider, that, etc.1456 Hay I. 84/8.
Sum men haldis that … it is vertu till eschape a1500 Tale of the Colkelbie Sow i. 112.
I hald the folk best fure That stud fer with out the dure c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxxiii. 65.
Sum held he had bene Dedalus c1500-c1512 Ib. xc. 36.
And sa I halde, that ȝe ar baith begylde 1533 Boece vii. xii. 246.
Sum haldis that Fyn Makcoul … was liffand about this tyme 1562-3 Winȝet I. 133/26.
Albeit ȝe hald the haill warld … on ȝour syde a1568 Bannatyne MS. 134 a/3.
Sic freitis I hald nocht wirth a fas 1573 Satirical Poems xlii. 998.
My self to wryte I hald it best 1600-1610 Melvill Diary 331.
The an, halding that it was an impossibilitie … The other, … halding that bathe was possible

b. To regard or esteem in a particular way, freq. in phrases as to hald dere, in daintie, in derisioun.1375 Barb. xvi. 673.
The king … held him in suylk daynte, That ‘his awne bischop’ him callit he a1400 Legends of the Saints xxiv. 86.
With the emperoure mast dere He wes haldine a1400 Ib. xxvii. 27.
Sanct Morys … [is] haldine thar in gret lowing c1420 Wynt. v. 4483.
Ressayvyd wes he And haldyn in till gret honoure 1456 Hay II. 10/35.
The quhilk buke the king lovit mekle, … and helde it rycht dere a1500 Buke of the Sevyne Sagis 1892.
In dante held he hir [the pyot] for thi 1531 Bell. Boece II. 164.
Preistis, and all ecclesiastik personis, sal be haldin in reverence 1531 Ib. 259.
This prophecy and divinatioun wes haldin in derision 1562-3 Winȝet II. 34/20.
Nestorius … a certane tyme … wes haldin in aestimatioun 1596 Dalr. I. 26/22.
In grit diligate is eche haldne 1622-6 Bisset II. 360/20.
Sanct Brydigia … wes haldin in greit reverence … for hir singulare halynes

c. To take for, regard as. Also with complement without preposition, and with of.(1) 1375 Barb. ii. 388.
Quha had sene him in that fycht Suld hald him for a douchty knycht ?1438 Alex. i. 606.
The gude king … that we Hald for our lord and avowie 1456 Hay I. 302/20.
The pape … will hald him for ane unwis prince c1420 Ratis Raving 2651.
For na raving I it hald 1490 Irland Mir. fol. 334.
Ane that before was haldin for a foule 1535 Stewart 24724.
Ane Saxone, haldin for ane Brit a1568 Bannatyne MS 255 a/12.
Sum haldis his lady for the best a1570-86 Maitland Folio MS clxxx. 55.
That thow sould for honest men thame hald [Q. hauld] 1622-6 Bisset I. 192.
Gif he … compeiris, and refuses to mak faith: he is hauldin pro confesso(2) 1456 Hay I. 124/11.
He suld … hald him as ane unworthy … counsailoure 1503 Acts II. c. 23.
The woman … beand repute & haldin as his lachtfull wif 1533 Bell. Livy I. 224/20.
Thir twa last consullis … war haldin as cryminabill c1550 Rolland Court of Venus i. 910.
I myself will hald him as my fo 1570 Leslie 51.
This Duik … wes haldin and repute as ane fadir in chevalry 1644 Elgin Rec. I. 178.
She salbe heireftir … haldin and reput as ane notorius witch(3) 1375 Barb. xv. 421.
All thouch ȝe hald him neuir sa stout c1420 Wynt. iii. 1049.
A gret stane … That … haldyne wes a gret jowale 1442 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 9.
Thair herbryoures sal be … haldyn arte and parte 1456 Hay I. 196/13.
Law wald haue haldin him excusit a1500 Bk. Chess 1131.
Ane just king than injust haldin is c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 256.
I couth sexty dissaif that suttillar wer haldin c1500-c1512 Ib. 472.
Ȝit am I haldin a haly wif 1531 Bell. Boece I. 270.
He wes haldyn kyng of Britonis fornentis the Ireland seis c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 335.
The Scottis ar haldin hardie men a1585 Maitland Quarto MS xii. 52.
Goddis worde wes hauldin bot ane fabill 1602 Rec. Convention of Royal Burghs II. 143.
Ilk skipper is haldin detbund to haue in his schipe [etc.] 1636 Aberd. Council Lett. II. 54.
To be repuit hawdin and estamit assisters and partakers in the rebellion(4) 1456 Hay II. 68/2.
He suld be haldin of counsale to kingis c1500-c1512 Dunb. xiv. 58.
Sik knavis and crakkaris … Ar haldin of pryce 1533 Gau 4/21.
That thai … haid thame noth of valour 1531 Bell. Boece I. 8.
This Thanaus … was haldin amang thaim of gret prudence 1535 Stewart 39829.
So foull ane blek for to put in his gloir, Quhilk haldin wes of sic honour befoir

16. To contain; to amount or extend to.c1420 Wynt. i. 532.
To tothir part [of the earth] … Ewrope haldys and Affrycac1420 Bute MS. fol. 175.
The nayle haldis v lib.1456 Hay I. 48/22.
A dragoun … the quhilk held in lenth sex score of futis 1495 Halyb. 108.
2 ares bedis, ilk haldis 20 ellis 1498 Ib. 149.
A stek cramysy vellus … haldand 24 ellis a1540 Freiris Berw. 158.
Thay hald ane gallone full of Gascone wyne a1540 Ib. 212.
It held a boll of meill quhen that we buke 1581 Fowler II. 34/23.
Ȝe will fynd out ma goleinȝeis than a poke wil had 1583 Satirical Poems xlv. 1010.
Not all the paper … May had the half that he hes done 1591 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 43.
Swa mekill [malt] … as the mylnis will had

17. In p.p. Of persons: Obliged or required (to do something).1398 Acts I. 211/1.
At … the lieutenant be nocht haldyn tyl ansuer suylke contremandmentis 1405 Cotton Vesp. MS. F. VII. fol. 86.
It sal be … done … as I am largely oblist and haldyn to 1456 Hay I. 111/6.
To him all gude cristyn people ar haldyn till obey 1456 Ib. 225/24.
A man is haldin to fede his barnis c1515 Asloan MS I. 180/7.
Thai ar haldin in werray richt and ressoun for to serf thair king 1518 Glenartney MS. Docum.
Becaus of ȝour office ȝe ar haldin to keip the said forest in priuelegis 1553 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 178.
The samin persoun … sal be haldin to refound and pay [etc.] 1602 Rec. Convention of Royal Burghs II. 134.
The schip sall nocht be haldin to fynd powder nor bullet 1622-6 Bisset I. 165/12.
Quhat evir advocate tynis … the peces or procese of his awin clyent … salbe haldin to ansueir

18. With adverbs, as abak, af, away, down, etc., in various senses.(1) 1513 Doug. ii. ii. 97.
From thar passage the north wynd … Held thame abak 1588 Events Q. Mary & Jas. VI. 44.
The Laird of Melgound has haldin Banhethis fieu abak(2) 1596 Dalr. II. 143/5.
He committis to my Lord Hume … the kure of the Scotis bordouris, to hold aff the Inglis braids(3) 1624 Elgin Rec. II. 185.
To hald away all uncouthe and strange beggeris(4) 1585 James VI Essayes 46.
To hald bak Their crueltie from simple ones 1620 Grant Chart. 326.
To the belman for halding bak the twelft hour till the caus wer reasoned at lenthe(5) c1420 Wynt. iv. 2322.
He held downe The nether lap thare off his gowne c1500-c1512 Dunb. lx. 64.
Nobillis of bluid he dois dispys, And helpis for to hald thame downe 1596 Dalr. II. 78/34.
To hald doun the fellon flammis of melancolie(6) 1583 Misc. Bann. C. I. 82.
Ane gude instrument in halding forward the treatie(7) c1420 Wynt. vii. 1914.
Hew held furth Saynctandrewys se 1568 Lanark B. Rec. 42.
Four honest men till keip the portis ... and till hald furth the persones that dwellis in suspect parochinis 1588 St. A. Baxter Books 33.
That … na baxter … hald furth … bread on the Sabbath 1672 Kirkcaldy B. Rec. 20 Apr.
At quhilk tyme the proveist ishewed and held furth to them that [etc.] 1680 Proceedings of Society of Antiquaries XLV. 249.
Creeping forward to the scepter halden forth(8) c1420 Wynt. iv. 1563.
Scypio … Wyth drawyn swerd than held thame in c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace iv. 493.
Thai … Held thaim in clos efter this sodeyn cas c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 349.
Thar myght na molet … hald my mouth in 1532 Reg. Cupar A. I. 314.
We … sall hald in the dam heid quhair the watter enteris 1584 Satirical Poems xlv. 771.
For archnes to had in a grote, He had no will to fie a bote 1590 Edinb. D. Guild Acc. 395.
To … workmen this oulk in drink to hald thame in att thair wark(9) c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxxiv. 44.
Hald on thy intent 1590 R. Bruce Serm. 86.
Notwithstanding they hauld ay on ea tune(10) c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace ix. 169.
The rede reiffar … Held out a gluf c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxvi. 104.
Glemen thair wer haldin out 1568 Pref. Lyndesay 6.
Quha … did lang … hald out the Romische superstitionis 1634 Maxwell Mem. I. 252.
The wallis … ar so decayit … that it can not hald out beistis 1660 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 185.
The provest held out to the counsell … that [etc.] 1664 Ib. 211.
Haveing held out … that they ware wrongouslie troubled(11) 1616 Haddington Corr. 134.
Ane seuere ordour followed furthe and haddin to(12) 1375 Barb. vii. 191.
Sic a slepe fell on his man, That he mycht not hald up his e c1420 Wynt. iv. 673.
Cerces … that were held wpe fyve yhere 1445 Peebles B. Rec. 12.
[He sal] gader in the malys … to hald up the howsis tharwith 1456 Hay I. 43/8.
To hald up thair estate and thair lyfing 1456 Ib. II. 43/2.
Than suld the squier hald up his handis 1542 Reg. Cupar A. II. 208.
Thai … sall hald vpe the heggis and dikys c 1580 Analecta Scotica I. 273.
Hald up thy hand and spair us, Lorda1585 Maitland Quarto MS lxii. 130.
To faythfull men how dar ȝe hauld vp face? 1600-1610 Melvill 33.
His servand halding upe the uther oxter 1622-6 Bisset II. 155/8.
Nane of theme mycht hald up there heidis aganist there innimies (13) a1500 Adv. MS. 25.4.15 fol. 162 b.
The master may halde of [= withhold] his hir [the seaman's 'hire']

19. absol. In various senses. See also 6 b and 9 b.1375 Barb. vii. 127.
Thai changit contenans … And held nocht in the first stat 1375 Ib. ix. 465.
He held euir agane the king 1375 Ib. xvi. 635.
Thai that ȝeit held vnslayne ?1438 Alex. i. 2009.
Thair habersounes … held richt weill ?1438 Ib. ii. 160.
Quha with the lord a concord mais He sould hald to all the laif ?1438 Ib. 4306.
Quha held on hors, him-selfe fell fair c1420 Wynt. viii. 2473.
[Thay] cessyd nothir day na nycht, … Haldand on swa full foure yhere 1456 Hay I. 57/34.
Nane that saw it mycht hald for grete c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 2231.
Alexander als mycht nocht hald bot greit c1460 Thewis Wysmen 241.
Quha gredy is and fast haldand a1500 Henr. Fab. 1211.
Sum objecting, and sum can hald a1500 Ib. 2315.
Seis thow not … [that] giftis garris crukit materis hald full euin? 1484 Acts Lords Auditors *146/2.
Gif … the cessioune haldis nocht bot beis continewit c1515 Asloan MS I. 182/18.
Ane fre liberale hert … suld nocht be scars and haldand c1515 Ib. 242/8.
Declynand fra the King, sayand that thai … wald not hald with him 1500–1 Treasurer's Accounts II. 90.
Thaireftir the Justice aire of Perth held, quhilk tua airis held xxij dayis c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 223.
Hald abak, and handill me nought sair 1535 Stewart 5838.
Ethar is to hald nor for to draw 1529 Lynd. Complaynt 190.
I had thareto, man, be Alhallow a1500 Peblis to Play 147.
He held, scho drew 1549–50 Ayr B. Acc. 109.
The time quhen the scule held not for the pest c1550 Rolland Court of Venus iv. 740.
Quhair ony thing is tald, Throw haltand verse quhair cullour dois not hald 15.. Wyf of Auchtirmuchty 42.
And thow sall had and I sall kall a1568 Bannatyne MS 80 a/1.
Oft tymes is bettir hald nor len a1578 Pitsc. II. 218/24.
This was done becaus he … held with the quein 1584 Gray Lett. & P. 34.
Thinck not, … that I eyther follow or haud on him 1587-8 Ayr B. Acc. 159.
[To go to Hamilton to find out whether the raid] will had or nocht 1591 R. Bruce Serm. 208.
For gif all hechts had as the prophet hath said, ... I man die 1596 Dalr. II. 195/35.
How lang thair lyfe was in, tha neuer held up 1640 Aberd. B. Rec. III. 227.
The Generall Assemblie indicted to hauld and begin … the tuentie eight day of Julii 1649 Aberd. Council Lett. III. 147.
Befoir I tak it, give I can get haldin aff, I sall desyre [etc.] c 1660-70 Select Biographies I. 265.
Had, Lord, enough, I dow bear no more