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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.

Middill, Mid(d)le, v. Also: midell, myd(d)ill, -yll, -le. [Sc. var. of Med(d)ill v., conceivably by some contamination from Middil(l n.]Common in Douglas, answering to various uses of L. miscēre and its compounds.

1. tr. To compound (a substance), to prepare by mixing. 1513 Doug. vi. xii. 9.
By hys power mydlit [L. miscet] is our all This mekil body clepit vniuersal Ib. viii. vii. 139.
In maner of gun powder Thai myddillyt and thai myxit this feirful sowder 1560 Rolland Seven S. 2870.
Befoir the hole ane twn he gart prepair Middillit with pick birdlime and siclike wair

2. P.p. Mixed, mingled. a. Of persons and animals and material things. b. Of emotions and circumstances. c. Mingled in combat, having joined battle.a. (1) 1513 Doug. i. vii. 123.
Him self alsswa mydlit [L. permixtum] Amang princis of Grece in the melle Ib. ii. vii. 62.
Amang the Grekis mydlit than went we Ib. ix. vi. 27.
Baith men and cartis myddillyt all our ane Ib. xi. xii. 84. Ib. xiii. vii. 17.(2) 1513 Doug. iv. iii. 60.
A myrk schour … mydlit with felloun haill Ib. iv. 66.
Myddillit Ib. viii. iv. 159. Ib. xii. vi. 78.
Quhil blude and brane … Mydlit with sand vndir hors feit was tredb. 1513 Doug. xi. xv. 93.
With blythnes mydlyt havand paynfull dreid Ib. x. vii. 89. 1531 Bell. Boece I. xii.
Hir pleseir vennomit Is midlit ay with scharp adversitec. 1513 Doug. vii. ix. 33.
Thai feght togidder mydlit on the land Ib. xii. xi. 34.
Ȝon is Eneas … Mydlit in batale on sik feir of weir

3. Of races and peoples: To mingle, mix, unite, combine. a. passive. b. intr.a. 1513 Doug. xii. xiii. 112.
The kynd of men discend from thir Troianys Mydlit with kyn of the Italianys Ib. xiii. ii. 87. 1531 Bell. Boece I. 184.
Gif thair power war midlit with Scottis and Pichtisb. 1513 Doug. iv. iii. 43.
I affeir me … Nor Jupiter … list appreif thai pepillis … Togiddir myddill or joyn in lyge or band Ib. xiii. vi. 26.
Expedient it was the kyn Troian Conioyn and myddill with blude Italian

4. a. intr. Of things: To mix, mingle, combine. b. P.p. Sexually united. c. tr. To join (battle).a. 1513 Doug. xii. iv. 112.
All thocht the erth wald myddill with the seeb. 1513 Doug. vii. xi. 47.
Ful prevely … The woman mydlit with the god went bondc. Ib. xiii. i. 29.
Twa gret bullys on the plane … Thar lang debait mydland quhar thai stand

5. intr. To occupy or busy oneself with, concern oneself in (any matter or activity); sometimes intrusively, to meddle or interfere with (property, goods, etc.); also without const. b. P.p. Treated of, dealt with, in writing.(1) 1558-66 Knox II. 79.
Thair Majesteis … sall not depryve any … of thair subjectis of the officeis … quhilkis thay have bruikit … befoir, be rassone of ony thyngis thay have middillit with 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 68.
That he … in all tymes cuming sall intromet or midle with ony pairt of the said leving 1578 Warrender P. MS. 152.
I wald have bene laith till have … mydlitt with sa greit … ane caus 1624 Perth Kirk S. MS. 3 May.
Jonat Scharp giltie of … giffing ane drink of the saidis leaweis … sall neuer middill with the elyk heirefter 1633 Inverness Rec. II. 173.
It sall nocht be liesum or lauchfull to the saidis myllaris … directlie or indirectlie … to transport, middil or intromett with any victual … out of the saidis killis c1650 Spalding II. 172.
The assemblie receavit … ane letter fra the King, desireing thame not to midle nor mediat with the effaires of England a1658 Durham Commandments 79.
And hardly ye will see any that irreverently middle with the name of God but they are gross 1662 Inverness Rec. II. 213. 1671 Ib. 250. 1677 Ib. 272. 1677 Grant Chart. 355. 1682 Inverness Rec. II. 306.
Before he sould furder midle with or begin to the said bridge 1729 Stirling B. Rec. II. 205.
[He] would not midle with the said clock any manner of way(2) 1584 Acts III. 296/1.
That nane … midle in the effairis of his hienes 1622 Conv. Burghs III. 124.
The … commissioneris … could not tak vpoun theme to … midle thairin without consent of the haill borrowis 1650 Carstairs Lett. 68.
How I darre adventure to middle in anay dutie wherein he is concerned 1689 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII. 456.
The councill being unwilling to midle in the matter(3) 1576 Bk. Univ. Kirk I. 367.
He wald not midle farther and make instance therein 1660 Aberd. Council Lett. IV. 34.
I find him still the old man worne slack and averse too midell aney furder without ane express warrandb. 1657 Fraser P. 128.
Morphies fisheings not midled withe heir

6. Intr. To have dealings with, to associate with, a person. 1631 Red Bk. Menteith II. 137.
Not to middill nor deill with any till his lordships coming to court 1663 Dunlop P. III. 3.
I speak with none, I middle with none; and so am … verie quyet