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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.

Lesing-makar, n. Also: lesingis- and leis(e)ing-, lees(e)ing-, leasing-, liesing- and -ma(c)ker. [Late ME. lesynge-maker (Caxton), ME. also lesyngmonger (Wyclif), lesynge-berare (Prompt. Parv.).]

1. One who utters false and slanderous accusations calculated to prejudice the relations between the sovereign and the lieges: see also Lesing n. 3 d and Lesing-making vbl. n. 2. (1318) Acts I. 112/2.]
[That nane be conspiratour na fyndar of taylis or of tithingis thruch the quhilkis mater of discord may spryng betuix the Kyng & his pepill(a) 1424 Ib. II. 8/2.
That all lesingis makaris & tellaris of thai be quhilk may ingener discorde betuix the King & his pepill … salbe challangit … & tyne lyff & gudis to the King 1540 Ib. 360/2.
Tuiching the artikle of lesing makerris … that gif ony maner of persoun makis ony eweill informatioun of his hienes to his baronis and liegis that thai salbe pvnist in sic maner … as thai that makis lesingis to his grace of his lordis, baronis and liegis 1594 Ib. IV. 65/2.
The heirar and nocht apprehender and … conceilar and nocht reveilar of the saidis lesing makaris … sall incur the like pane and pvnisement as the principall offendour c1650 Spalding II. 7.
The Committe of Estaites directit Williame Blair … to cum and charge diuers gentilmen barronis … to wnderly the law for lesing makeris(b) 1639 Acts V. 604/2.
Act against leisingmakeris betuix the King and his subjectis … ordanes the actis formerlie maid against leising makeris … to be revived vnder such paine as the estatis shall think expedient(c) a1633 Hope Major Pract. II. 286.
Leesing makers and tellers of them which may ingender discord betuixt the King and people 1686 Dunkeld Presb. I. 415.
A proclamation … renuing a former proclamation against Ssanderers and leesingmakers(d) 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. ii. 158 b.
Leasing-makers 1631 Justiciary Cases I. 187.
Tuiching the article of leasing makeris to the Kingis grace off his barrones 1661 Wodrow Hist. I. 179.
Relation is made to the pains statuted against leasing-makers 1688 Cramond Kirk S. II. 1 Jan.
This day the Counsells proclamation against slanderers and leasing makers (appointed to be read every quarter of year) was read by the Minister from the pulpit after sermon(e) 1618 Crim. Trials III. 450.
Liesing-makers

2. A liar, a perjurer. 1622 Crim. Trials III. 530.
Scho has thairin committit onlie a lie, and being persewit and provin, is content to vnderly the pwneischment appointit aganis leasing-makeris