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

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

Leisur, Leysour, Leso(u)r, n. Also: leysure, lessur, -or, leser, lysure. [e.m.E. leisure, leysure (16th c.), leysoure (1479), leesar (16th c.), occas. used instead of Sc. Laiser n. : cf. also Leaser.] Respite, breathingspace, free time; leisure. Also at (great) lesour, at one's leisure or convenience.(1) 1543 Corr. M. Lorraine 27.
I mycht nocht get lesor to wryt at length (a1568 Dunb.) Bann. MS. p. 9/9.
I cry thé mercy and leser to repent 1570 Cal. Sc. P. III. 178.
[As I have no] lessor [to write to my wife] a1578 Pitsc. II. 84/5.
[He] dieit ane sudden deid for he could not gett lessur to say God help him c1590 Fowler II. 144/12.
His actions rease eache on of other that therby na lesour was geuen til any … pepill to appone theme to his courses 1590-1 Bruce Serm. 108.
Take heed to your consciences now, quhill leisur is given you 1600 Crim. Trials II. 215.
Wythout any kinde of armour but his hunting horne, which he had not gotten leysure to lay from him(2) 1540 Lynd. Sat. 3788 (Ch.).
Maisters ȝe sall heir … At great leysour in ȝour presence proclamit [etc.] a1500 Colk. Sow I. 317(B).
Vthir sum … At leser drest to dance 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 128.
That I suld have that plesure To devise with ȝow at leysure 1587 Warrender P. (S.H.S.) II. 37.
That he had spoken the King but not at lysure