Dictionaries of the Scots Language
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.

Loosing, vbl. n.¹ Also: -eing. [e.m.E. loosing (1576), replacing Sc. Lowsin(g vbl. n.¹] Loosing, in vaious lit. and fig. senses.Solution (of a problem); casting off, setting sail; dismissal or dispersal of an assembly; release of a minister from his charge; loosing of arrestment; redemption of something pawned.(1) 1616 Charteris & Arthur Epistle in Rollock Wks. II. 8.
Who … had … greater dexterity in loosing of things obscure and doubtsome(2) 1632 Lithgow Trav. 54.
Vpon the second day after our loosing from Clissa, we arriued at Ragusa a1651 Calderwood V. 84.
His Majestie's dyet will not be divulgated, and no certane day prefixed to his loosing [sc. from Denmark](3) 1589 (16..) Bk. Univ. Kirk II. 745.
At the conveening and loosing of every Assembly, the roll of commissioners shall be called(4) 1663–9 Livingstone in Sel. Biog. I. 187.
The parish of Killinshie … sent … ane call to me to return. … If I could have obtained ane fair looseing my minde inclyned … to have gone … .The synod … refused to loose me(5) 1675 Sel. Biog. II. 201.
I had general letters of loosing of arrestments 1684 Decis. Lords F. 55.
M^r. Henry Oliphant, who had received … a commission for being deput in loosing of arrestments and caution in laborrous during his life(6) 1700 Household Bk. Gr. Baillie 266.
For loosing a bible was panded [£5]