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

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Handwrit(t, -wryte, -wreit, n. Also: hande writ, hand-wryt(t, -wryit, write; hand-wrete, -wreyt, -vreit; hand-wret(t, -vret, -wreatt, -wraitt. [ME. (once) hande writt (Orm.). Cf. Handywrit n.] Handwriting.

1. The writing of a particular hand or person; esp., a person's signature or autograph.(a) 1483 Acta Aud. 132*/1.
The said letter was of nane avale becaus … that thai knew nocht his hand writ 1490 Acta Conc. 138/1.
As wes prefit be the copy of the adjournale … vnder maister Richard Lawsouns handwritt 1506 Dunferm. B. Rec. 349.
Ane other procuratour … made … wndir his awne hande writ 1549 Corr. M. Lorraine 297.
The quenis grace … promest faithfullie be hir hand writ … to tak the said erle in mariage 1562-3 Winȝet I. 138/6.
Bot gif my handwritt peraduentuir hes nocht bene sa legible as ȝe wald 1570 Digest Justiciary Proc. G. 45.
Thomas Barrie … convict … for the fallsefeing … of the manuale subscriptioun and handwritt of our souerane lordis darrest guidschir 1573 Crim. Trials I. 512.
Ane contract subscryvit be four or fyve handwrittes 1638 Bk. Univ. Kirk III. p. xix.
The Booke of the Kirke Policie, … which will serve to dignosce the hand writt(b) 1572 Peebles B. Rec. 352.
That ane of the baillies … pas throuch the tovne to the honest men thairof and tak thair hand write and promis that [etc.] 1600-1610 Melvill 316.
His Majesties awin handwryt upon the mergent 1609 Acts IV. 422/2.
He wes padagog to his bairnis and hes sene werray mony of his handwryttis 1640 Dundonald Par. Rec. 456.
Wnder the same oath, handwryt and paines 1692 Presb. Eloq. (ed. 2) 79.
Deny your own hand-write if you dare(c) 1568 Buch. Indict. 49.
Be hir awne handvreit in mony and syndrie letteris a1578 Pitsc. I. 407 heading.
Hou the Cardinal held ane throch of paper to the king and causit him wreit his handwreit thairon 1638 Rep. Elphinstone Mun. 26.
Vnder thair seale of office and handwrete(d) a1578 Pitsc. II. 125/32.
We desyre na thing mair nor ȝour guid will and woit and ȝour handwrettis heirvnto 1608 Crim. Trials II. 321.
Sen I hawe thair awin hand wret for my warrand 1609 Ib. 288.
The direct conformitie of the samin [documents] … in the character and trew resemblance of the handwraitt 1643 Kinghorn Kirk S. 48.
Walter Duncan wes ane mensworne man in that he had denyed his owne hand wreatt or gone against it

2. Something written by hand; a document or note. 1562 Reg. Morton I. 9.
I resavit your wrytting, and … yff your hand wrytt hayd not persuadit me, [etc.] 1567 G. Ball. 81.
The decreit, and scharp hand wryte That stoppit vs fra the Father quyte 1580 Fam. Innes 139.
Sindrie lettres and handwreittis 1600 Hamilton Facile Tr. 222.
Christ Jesus, wha hes affixit to the croce … the handwret that was agains ws