Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

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

Midlin(g, a. Also: -lyn, -le(i)n(e, middling(e, myd(ing, -lyn(g; medlin(g, -lyng; mid(d)il(l)ing, medilyne. [f. Mid a. or Mid(d)il(l a. Orig. Sc. In e.m.E. only from 1610. Cf. Midlings.]

1. Intermediate in position, rank, etc. 1456 Hay II. 140/24.
Of all wynis the best ar thai that growis … in mydlyn erde that is nouthir our hye na our law erde 1567 Sat. P. v. 54.
Spair nouther midling, greit, nor small 1586 Perth B. Ct. 17 Sept.
Extending ourhede of mydling prysing to thre s. vj d. the pund

b. Middling way, the middle course, mean.(1) 1456 Hay II. 81/11. Ib. /3.
Resounable larges that is the midlyn way betwix the twa, of fule larges and avarice c1460 Thewis Wysmen 133.
Quharfor tyll hald the mydlyng vay Is best(2) 1456 Hay II. 140/26.
That the rasynis be in mydlyn way of suetnes c1460 Thewis Wysmen 127.
To Goddis seruice thai are ay boune In mydlyng way of deuocioune

2. a. Of intermediate size, middle- or medium-sized. b. Of intermediate grade or quality.(a) c1420 Bute MS. 119.
The ynch sulde be with the thoum off midling mane nother our mikil nor our litil bot be tuyx the twa 1535–6 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I. 190.
For ii myd-ling thanis ii s. 1550 Reg. Privy C. I. 107.
The best moutoun for ix s., the midiling moutoun for viii s. and the worst moutoun for vij s. 1567 Edinb. Test. MS. 21.
Fyfty elnis of greit canues … twenty elnis of midling canues 1567 Bamff Chart. 71.
Ane greit beif pot … ane midling pot 1572 Edinb. Test. MS. 199 b.
lxxx elnis of middilling carsayis 1575 Ib. III. 362 b.
Tuelf mydling round stringis for hattis c1575 Balfour Pract. 88. 1586 Edinb. Test. XVI. 365 b.
Of middilling irne pottis 1596 Aberd. B. Rec. II. 139.
Thrie midling schippis to pas to the ilis for subdewing of the hieland men 1598 Household Bks. Jas. VI 6 Apr.
vi midling burne troutis 1598 Black Bk. Taymouth 330. 1622 Edinb. Test. LI. 153.
xj pund … wecht midleine braid knittingis 1628 Brechin Test. IV. 321 b.
Of midlinge poyntis fyiftie grois 1628 Edinb. Test. LIV. 328 b.
Four paire of midleine scheittes 1639 Acts V. 270/2.
Middling boittis 1640 Black Bk. Taymouth 347. 1641 Old Ross-shire I. 125. 1644 Edinb. Test. LXI. 89 b.
Ane midling bybill 1688 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII. 310.
Tuo pices midlen love 1701 New Mills Manuf. 265.
As to fyne and midling blacks Mr. Maxwell sayes that [etc.](b) 1544 Coll. St. Leonard 217.
Ane Flanderis conter of the medilyne bynd 1562 6th Rep. Hist. MSS. App. vi. 648/2.
Twa medling panis 1597–8 Household Bks. Jas. VI 3 March.
Ane medlyng salmond 1634 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. II. 423.