Show Search Results Show Browse

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.

Leve, v.2 Also: lewe, leile, leave. [ME. leve(n (12th c.), OE. (Angl.) léfan, (West Saxon) lýfan (léaf Leve n.): cf. also Lefe (and Luve).]

1. tr. To grant permission, permit, allow. In various constructions.(1) 1375 Barb. xix. 126.
He him tald … of the Kyngis curtasye That levit [E. lewyt] him debonarly Till do of his land his liking
c1450-2 Howlat 534.
Be this ressoun we reid, and as our Roy levit, The Dowglas in armes the bludy hart beris
1456 Hay I. 108/31.
Thare may na man tak rycht … at his awin hand bot he that is … prince of the lawe leve him to do
1506 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. I. 77.
To preiw that Williame Gordone … levit Ego Makcanȝeoch to mary with the said Elene
1513 Doug. i. viii. 103.
Gyf ws war levit our flote on land to bryng
(b) a1400 Leg. S. xxvi. 632.
That he wald lewe tham to say The story of Sancte Nicholas
Ib. xxi. 52. c1420 Wynt. vi. 1268.
He mad hym than prayere That that chyld mycht a lettyr bere Til hys wyff … : The Duk hym lewyd [C. leyffit]
c1475 Wall. iv. 37.
Thocht a subiet in deid wald pas his lord, It is nocht lewyt be na rychtwis racord
1505 Misc. Spald. C. V. 35.
The aldirman ballieis [etc.] … grauntit fre licence and leyf, and be this present actis licencis and lewis thar … clerk … to pas quhareuer he emplesis
(2) c1450 Cr. Deyng 194 (S.H.S.).
Testament or other disposicione at the law lewys may be maid
1448 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 402.
All thaim that … barkis … othir wais than the law levis
1456 Hay I. 153/34.
Sen law levis it to be done
Ib. 196/2.
For law levis erar to sla na to be slayn
Ib. 200/13.
The lawe levis the fader for certane caus and resouns … to sell his sone
a1500 Colk. Sow i. 124.
All beistis … Quhom the law levis ete Or quho suld be no menis meit
1514 Orkn. & Shetl. Rec. I. 254. 1604 Shetl. Sheriff Ct. (ed.) 114.
To underly the law for stowth [etc.] … as law leivis
1622-6 Bisset I. 311/2.
I will proceid aganist him with assyse of purprisioun … as the law levis me

b. Also in the passive with the person as subject: To be permitted or allowed. 1456 Hay I. 271/34.
He may … put his falow to the wer [in trial by combat] … sen thai ar levit of the prince be the cry that biddis ilke man do his devoire
1513 Doug. iii. vi. 205.
This is the effect … That I am levyt with my wordis thé to charge
1518 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 182.
That nane saill bot thai that are levit be the actis of Parliament

2. With a verb of departing: To grant permission (to depart). c1420 Wynt. viii. 2878 (C).
The siluir to the wardropar He gaf and lewit hym hayme to fare [R. levyd hym to fare]
c1475 Wall. vi. 262.
Wemen thai lewit and preistis … To pas thar way
1560 Rolland Seven S. 9053.]
[With my blissing … I leif ȝow to depart

b. To grant leave to depart, to dismiss.Only in early verse. 1375 Barb. xx. 355.
Quhen that the King him levit had
Ib. 577.
Quhen thai war levit [E. lewyt, H. leaved] of the Kyng
a1400 Leg. S. xxvii. 1145.
Sone eftir this thai ras ilkane & lewid to thare awne ar gane
c1420 Wynt. vi. 1276.
Quhen this child thus lewyd was He buskyd hym hys way to pas
?1438 Alex. ii. 3501, 7777, etc.

c. To be levit, appar. = to depart, to proceed. a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 661.
Schir Lyonel to Schir Louys wes leuit with ane lance

You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.

"Leve v.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 10 Dec 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/leve_v_2>

23444

dost

Hide Advanced Search

Browse DOST:

    Loading...

Share: