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.

Mensk, n. [ME. mensca (Layamon), ME. (a 1240) and north. e.m.E. (1509) mensk(e, ON. mennska humanity (Sw. menniska, Da. menneske). In the 16th c. superseded by Mense.] Honour, credit. 1375 Barb. iv. 549 (E).
And schaip alwayis to that ending That beris in it mensk and lowing Ib. xiii. 264 (E).
The best … Wald with thair mensk haf bene away Ib. xvi. 621 (E).
Now dois weill; for men sall se, Quha luffis the Kingis mensk to day a1400 Leg. S. xliii. 394.
A kyd houlloure That racht nothire of mensk na honoure ?1438 Alex. ii. 6068. c1420 Wynt. v. 410 (W).
Efter that byrth That maid all our mensk [v.rr. joy(e] and myrth Ib. viii. 6571 (R).
In fycht is mensk and schame in flycht 1461 Peebles B. Rec. I. 140.
The laf [of a building] … to mak suffyciand at may be tyl hym mensk and onour to the ton profit a1500 Prestis of Peblis 309.
Thar manhed & thar mensk [Ch. mense] thusgat thai murle c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 352.
I maid that wif carll to werk all womenis werkis And laid all manly materis and mensk [M. mens] in this eird