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.
Lig(g)er, n. [Pointing to Du., LG. ligger or Germ. lieger, that which lies (underneath), but these are appar. not recorded in this precise sense: cf. Lig v. and e.m.E. ligger corresp. to e.m.E. lidger, e.m.E. and ME. lig(g)er(e, in various applications.] In mining: The layer of rock lying below the lode or vein of ore. —c 1604 Mining Rec. xxx.]
[And havinge found … leederes or metalline fumes pickeng betweene two rockes wch rockes the Germaynes call hingettes and liggets [sic] or maritus et uxore betweene wch sayd rockes the vaynes of irone, lead, tynne, copper and syluere are contayned 1646 J. Hope Diary (1958) 164.
As they wroght it [lead ore, in Cologne] they left great pillers to underprope the ground … , they tooke nather hanger nor liger with them Ib. 178.
The vaine [was] … thicke from ligger to hinger neere foure fathomes
