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 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Many, a. Also: -ie, -é, -ey, -ay, mannie, -ey, mayny, -é, meanie. [e.m.E. and ME. many, meny, e.m.E. also meany, used in place of Mony a.] Many. = Mony a., in various uses.(1) a1500 Lanc. 2587.
Many o pair 1540 Knox I. 75.
A cullurune kythed throw many a land 1580–1 Second Conf. Faith in Bk. Univ. Kirk II. 515.
By manie and sindrie notable kyrkis 1596 James VI Facs. Nat. MSS. III. lxxix.
Generall lettirs … to als manie as he plesis 1615 Highland P. III. 278.
I am many wise oblished to rander many thanks [etc.] a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1097.
Manie ane laks the thing they love full weil Ib. No. 1768.
Ye ken how manie huted neifuls [etc.] 1650 Rec. Kirk Scotland 600.
The lousnes … of maney in the armey 1662 Carstairs Lett. 91.
In manay thinges 1668 Edinb. Test. LXXIII. 204.
With a great mane sea instruments(b) 1638-54 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 595.
Manney basse and eiuell rumors 1685 Black Bk. Kincardineshire ii.
Mannie of them(c) 1603 Lett. & St. P. Jas. VI 45.
Ther vas neuer so mayny passageris heir avay 1663 Glasgow B. Rec. III. 6.
This mayne yeares bygaine(d) 1653 Wemyss Corr. 97.
Amongest meanie other resons(2) 1585 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 437.
superl. Be thair maniest votes a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI 172.
Best lykit of the greatest and manyest nobles 1631 Cramond Ch. Ordiquhill 8. 1633 Maxwell Mem. II. 240.
From whois paroche he alledges manyest came 1638 Hawick Ann. 40.
After manniest voittis all electit … the said Robert 1638 Henderson Serm. 354. 1644 Acts VI. i. 100/2. 1653 Binning Wks. 542.
He that has most defects himself will find maniest in others 1657 Balfour Ann. I. 78. a1699 Skene Agric. MS.
Ther goes fewest sheaves to the boll of wheat and maniest sheaves to the boll of oates 1671 M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. II. 595. 1676 W. Row Blair 437. 1682 Lauder Observes 72.
In the west where maniest were outed 1688 Renwick Testimony Persecuted Presb. Ministers 32.
Life that retireth from the maniest members into the heart