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.
Licence, v. Also: lycens, lisense, liscence. [Late ME. licence (c 1400), lycence, f. Licence n.] 1. tr. To grant (a person) permission (to do something).1505 Misc. Spald. C. V. 35.
The counsale … grauntit fre licence and leyf and be this present actis licencis and lewis thar … clerk to pas quhareuer he emplesis c 1509 Selkirk B. Ct. fol. 2.
That ȝe will … liscence [a person] … to big [etc.] —1529 Stirling B. Rec. I. 37 (see Licent v. (c) (c)).
Lyce[n]sit —1563 Cal. Sc. P. II. 127.
[Your graciousness] in lisensynge my sun and heyre to come to me for suche purpos 1564 Grey Friars II. 146.
We hes permittet and licencit and be thir presents permitts and licencis thaim … to bury thair deid in that place 1570 Sat. P. xxiv. 25.
Mycht thow not licence Inglis men to ryde Throw all this realme? 1574 Acts III. 87/2.
All vagaboundis scollaris … not licencit be the rector … of the vniuersitie to ask almous
2. To give leave of departure to, to dismiss.Also e.m.E. lycence (1483), licence, after F. licencier f. licence n.c1590 Fowler II. 104/10.
Cesar Borgia … perceaving that sic a armye and forces wer not for his securetie, he licenced thame and did cast his thoughts to the waging of mercenarye
