Dictionaries of the Scots Language
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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.

Licent, v. Also: lycent, liessent. P.t. and p.p. licent etc., also p.t. licented, p.p. licient, licentat. [? Formed f. Licence n. on the analogy of the verbs absent, present and their corresp. nouns in -ence (? rather than f. L. licent-em pres. p. of licēre to be permitted). Also Lecent. Only Sc.]

tr. To grant permission, to authorize (to do something). Also absol. b. To authorize, commission (a person, in a certain capacity).(a) 1515 Gray Lett. App. iii.
For so mekyll as certane consideracions hes mowyt vs to lycent our cusyng and consiliare … to remane at haym fra this host 1524 Stirling B. Rec. I. 20.
That nowder provest nor ballies liessent nor gife lyefe to na chaplane … to pas na harandis 1529 Ib. 36.
It salbe unlefull to the saidis … counsall … till consent or lycent the said Jhone till ony othir werk than [etc.] 1560 Rolland Seven S. 92.
O my gude lord, … Ȝe licent me my erand to ȝow speik Ib. 9034.(b) 1531 Bell. Boece II. 308.
King Hary … licent Malcolme to pas in Scotland 1541 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 176.
Nocht the les thai lycent the said Johnn to byg alse heycht as the calsay … and protestit that this lycens hurt nocht the townis rychtabsol. c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus iii. 362.
The law licent … At that time for to haif ane concubine(b) 1622-6 Bisset II. 377/28.
Constantyne … quha licented the cardinallis and peopill of Rome to elect him(c) 1533 Bell. Livy I. 133/15.
Thai war licent … to frequent thare lustis with mare opin renȝeis than ony vtheris 1541 Aberd. Trades 269.
The prowest, ballies, and counsel … hes lycent thaim to sell thair schoine 1548 Corr. M. Lorraine 232.
My lord governour has licent me to ga spek with my guid moder 1570 Leslie 44.
The saidis heraldis wes than licent to return(b) 1555 Prot. Bk. T. Dalrymple MS. 14.
Thomas Colȝar gardnar wes licient … to gardin laubour & manur the ȝard and park of the Broutoun 1567–8 Inverness Rec. I. 160.
The cunsell hes licient thame to by at mercattis leddyr for steaking of the towne 1581 Elgin Rec. I. 162.(c) 1529 Stirling B. Rec. I. 37.
The provest and baillies hais liessent and lyce[n]sit … the fleschouris to bait ane bull of Sanccubartis day(d) 1643 Dunferm. Kirk S. 13.
It was licentat and grantit to the smythes to tak doun the stane wall at the side … of thair seateb. 1533 Bell. Livy I. 105/2.
Affirmyng eik that he was oure lang licent to the said authorite 1571 Sempill Sat. P. xxviii. 105.
Than was I Legat licent be the Paip, With dispensatiounis, sawis for euerie sair