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.
Quotation dates: 1420, 1500-1653
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Moment, n. Also: mament, mamont, mamunt, mamonde, malmonde. [ME. (1340) and e.m.E. moment, L. mōmentum.]Early examples in rhyme indicate a pronunciation with stress on the second syllable.
1. A very short time; a point of time, an instant. b. Comb. with space.(a) c1420 Wynt. iv. 2349.
Abowte the hundyr day, Wouke, moneth or moment [: intent] c1420 Ib. vii. 3290.
A Scottis sqwyare … Amang the rapys wes all to rent Off tha schyppys in a moment 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. ii. 2.
Awaitand euer quhat moment I suld die c1550-60 Arundel MS. 248/298.
Keipe me all houris & momentis in … lufe of Jesu Crist c1552 Lynd. Mon. 5264.
Moment [: intent] 1567 Gude and Godlie Ballatis 33.
The paine … lestis but a moment a1568 Bannatyne MS 226 a/47.
Within a moment [: intent] 1599 Rollock Wks. I. 412.
Quhy suld thou tyne sa fair ane crown for ane moments fechting(b) 1570-3 Bann. Trans. 491.
Speikand to the latter mamonde of his lyfe 1581-1623 James VI Poems I. 99/27.
Skaircelie bot at stollin mamontis to blink upon any paiper 1596 Dalr. I. 300/7.
In the verie selfe mamunt quhen thay war to joyne battell 1600–1 State P. 108/10 (Reg. H.) 21 (= Crim. Trials II. 201).
He … tareyit nocht ane malmond of ane hourb. c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 210 (B).
Than was I … ȝoldin as ane wofull presoneir To lady Bewty in a moment [M. mament] space
2. Importance, weight. 1586 Rait & Cameron King James's Secret 56.
His hienes actions and behaviour utteris plainlie … of what moment he estemis it 1593 Warrender P. II. 211.
And maniament of our other affaires of greatest moment c1611–c1617 Mure Misc. P. i. 138. 1629 Justiciary Cases I. 118.
In this caus of sic moment and wecht for taking away of ane honest womans lyfe
3. Motive of action, determining influence, determining argument or consideration. 1632 Lithgow Trav. 117.
The diuine maiestie doth swey the moments of things 1653 Binning Wks. 585.
And herein is great moment of persuasion
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"Moment n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/moment>
