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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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-making, vbl. n. Also: leis(e)ing-, leesing-, leasing-, lising-.

1. The act of telling lies or practising deceit. 1581 Inverness Rec. I. 290.
The provest [etc.] … fyndis Catheryne Keitht … to abwse hir in outsetting of hir as ane dissawar of the commoun peple … and in sing and teakin of her lesing making scho beris ane crowne testefeand the samyn

2. The making of false accusations or uttering of calumnies, as prohibited by law; espec., verbal sedition, calumny directed against the crown or government: see Lesing n. 3 d and Lesing-makar. 1666–7 Inverness Presb. 135; 1687 Dunkeld Presb. I. 477.
The moderator inquired the brethren if they read from pulpit the act against leasing-making 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. i. xxx. § vi.
By the same last act, dispersing or making cockalands … against counsellours of England is punished as leasing-making 1681 Fountainhall Decis. I. 151.
The twelve citizens … gave in an indictment against … their town clerk for leasing-making of them to the King 1681 Lauder Observes 53.
Ane assise … returned him guilty of treason, leising making, depraving the laws 1689 Late Proceedings 7.
To restrain him from leasing-making, which is treason by the law of Scotland 1704 Cromarty Corr. I. 219.
Thursday that Ballies process of lising making comes in