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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.

Mort-bell, n. The hand-bell rung at funerals, the death-bell. — 1590 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 153.
The … counsall hes gevin thair twa commoun bellis, viz. the mort and skellet bellis … to George Johnstoune 1612 Ib. 326.
The … counsale haifing continwit Thomas Kilmawris in the office of the mort bell to this day 1616 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. II. 198.
v lib. vj s. viij d. money for ane hand mort bell he bocht to thame in Flanderis 1621 Irving Dumbartonsh. II. 341.
Ordained the beddell, Johne Tome, and his successors, to ring the mort bell befoir all persones deceased within toune for sic pryses as [etc.] 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 508.
The trumpets and murning or mort bells usher them in