A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Language, n. Also: langwage, -uadge, -wedge, -wige, -uits, -uest. [e.m.E. and ME. (14th c.) language, ME. langwag (c 1400), AF. language, altered f. langage appar. after F. langue tongue.] = Langage n. a. A national etc. language. b. Manner of speaking, mode of expression, words, diction.a. (1) c1552 Lynd. Mon. 1773, 4.
Quhare wes bot ane language affore, Gode send thame languagis three schore 1590-1 Bruce Serm. 76.
Except ye hear Christ in ane familiar and hamelie language ye cannot understand 1600-1610 Melvill 607.
Extant in French, Dutch, and all uthir commoune langwedgis in Europe 1615 Highland P. III. 302.
Some of these vnhallowed people [in the West Highlands] with that vnchristiane language 1700 Misc. Spald. C. III. 183.
He heard them [gipsies] speak a language which he understood not(2) c1552 Lynd. Mon. 573.
Uirgill … Nor Cicero … Wrait nocht in Caldye language 1596 Dalr. I. 86/5.
Of the Iles of Orchnay, sum ar Inglese, sum of the language of Norway Ib. /17.
The alde Brittanne language [is] in euerie place worne out Ib. II. 183/8.
Quhen Scotis and Inglis language ar neir nychtbouris 1698 Macritchie Gypsies 114.
Commonly using amongst your selves the canting languadge of Ægyptianes(3) c1552 Lynd. Mon. 583.
Thir … Romance … Maid Latyne scolis … That thare language mycht be ouer all commoun 1596 Dalr. II. 53/30.
I dedicat to ȝour ma[jesty] … the actes notable of our last kings writne in our awne langwage 1617 Conv. Burghs III. 52.
Inrespect thair [Scottish merchants'] language and thairs [Englishmen's] ar not so far different bot each ane vnderstandethe ane vther(4) 1656 Moray Synod 122.
That … no man be … minister to any of these Irish charges [in Aberlour] bot he who hath the languageb. (1) a1500 Henr. Fab. 1495.
The lyoun his language Paissit 1530 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 27.
That scho say na displesour na inuirious language till Thomas Wauhope 1535 Stewart 2141.
This ilk Ferquhart … Witht laureat language … His orisoun begouth a1570-86 Arbuthnot Maitl. F. xxix. 72.
I hait flatterie and in to wourdis plane And vnaffectit language I delyte 15.. Clar. v. 2256.
He … Hes it depaint of langwage full ornate 1605 Glasgow Merchants House 94.
Falling furth with vtheris incumlie languag & wiffull terms1610 Inverness Rec. II. 75.
Evil vordis and languest1615 Highland P. III. 208.
Heiring the said Georg vnseamelie langwage 1617 Mill Mediæv. Plays 268.
Ane speche … that [it] be deliuerit in sensible ticht and gude language 1669 Salmon Borrowstounness 86.
Profaine langwage 1675 S. Leith Rec. I. 131.
Cited for abusing some of elders and giving them ill language 1698 Annandale Corr. 161.
I wil be at a point and shal speeck plain languits(2) 1600-1610 Melvill 613.
Ane Englische proclamatioune, in matter and langwedge 1705 Annandale Corr. 223.
I have seen many letters from the councell, but never any in such langwige
