A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
(Main-,) Mentenant, -ent, -end, n. [? By analogy from the stem of Maintenance.] One who is under the protection (Maintenance n. 2) of another as his vassal or dependant. —1504 Justiciary Rec. I. 342.
We have … takin the … metropolitane kirk of Glasgw the dene … his mentenendis and seruandis … under oure speciale protectioun mentemans … and saufgarde 1535 Liber Melros 626.
Thair men tenentis, seruandis, … and intromettouris 1631 Orkney Bp. Ct. 79.
In … his wyff mentenentis nor his servandis 1667 Grant Chart. 246.
The laird of Grant, his kinsemen, men tenents and seruandis 1672 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 160 (26 Nov.).
To have flit and removit himselfe his wyfe bairnes familie mentenants servand cotars goods and geer 1678 Highland P. I. 311.
The … earl of Argyll to call to his assistance … his haill vassals, mentenants and servants, … and all the mentenants and inhabitants living upon his estate
