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.
Mediat, a. and n. Also: -ate. [Late ME. (1432–50) and e.m.E. mediate, late L. mediāt-us p.p. of mediāre to mediate: cf. also F. médiat.]
1. Of a person: Intermediary, intervening; also, that acts for another as his agent or on his behalf. b. Also absol. as n.1520 Grant Chart. 65.
Neuir ane of thame sal heir scayth … to vderis … bot thai sal raveil to vderis be thair selfis or be vder mediat personis 1528 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 3.
Apprehendit other be the officeris or any vther mediat persoun 1528 Acta Conc. Public Aff. 290. c 1560 Liber Dryburgh 325.
The Lord Thirlstane … hes presentit the minister persoun quha hes sett bak takis of the saidis haill teyndis to ane mediat persoun 1571–2 Reg. Privy C. II. 121.
[To] pay … of thair awin substance or be mediat personis ony money … to the … rebellis 1581 Ib. III. 377. 1586–7 Montrose B. Ct. 23 Feb.
Except the perseuar preceisly claim the pyp of wyne to heue bein directit be ane mediat persone 1587 Acts III. 465/2.
Sic mediat personis as takis vpoun thame to be sellaris of the gudis of thevis 1601 Warrender P. II. 387. a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI 186. 1606 Crim. Trials III. 366.
Being refusit of licence to haif cum and presentit my self personalie … to haif maid my awin supplicatioun … I am einforceit to mak the samyn be a mediat persone 1655 Soc. Ant. XXX. 18.
The saids goods ar to be put in a mediate man's hands 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. I. xx. § 7.b. 1549 Sutherland Chart. III. 110.
[They] sall aduertis wtheris thairof be thame selff or sum mediattis
c. Of a superior: Intermediate (between the Crown and a vassal). Cf. 2 c. —c1575 Balfour Pract. 646.
And gif the lendis be haldin of ane mediat superiour, ane precept sall be direct to him [etc.] 1628 Conv. Burghs III. 260.
So that the inhabitants can haue no vther overs lord or mediat superior bot his Maiestie
2. a. Of an heir: Not lineal, not a son or daughter of the immediate family. b. Parent immediat (= one's father or mother) or mediat (= any other senior relative of somewhat similar standing).a. 1492 Douglas Chart. 133.
The saidis landis … sall frely rewart to the aier of the said Cuthbert, mediat or immediat 1547 Reg. Privy C. I. 78.
The mediat air that is to succeid to the persoun that happynnis to deceis 1571 Acts III. 63/2. c1575 Balfour Pract. 161.
At the instance … of him that is mediat or farder air Ib. 221.
Sum airis and successouris ar of immediat and narrest degre and sum utheris ar of mediat and farder degreb. 1697 Sermon on Witchcraft in Sc. Hist. Rev. VII. 393.
That there be a reall compact … either personally drawn up & made or mediately by parents immediat or mediat having power of the person
c. Of a person holding or renting land: Not holding directly of a superior but through an intermediate lord or tenant.Cf. 1 c.c1575 Balfour Pract. 276.
The immediat tenent to the over-lord sould releive and keip skaithles all uther mediat tenentis … anent all sic unlawis
3. Of things. a. Indirect, through an intermediary. b. ? Moderate, not excessive. c. Situated in the middle or between two places.a. 1585 James VI Ess. I. 23/83.
By mediat moyens 1643 Reid Auchterarder 202.
Declaring himself … to have a mediate paktione with the devillb. 1627 Orkney Rentals iii. 69.
And therfor … we entreete your lordships of an mediate and conscientious course hereinc. 1625 Moray Synod ii.
The parochiners of Convent still vrges the building of the mediat kirk for serving boith the said parochins 1643 Ib. 69. 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 378.
[He] mustered his men in a mediat place … near Inverness
