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.
Mouswob, n. Also: mouse-, mouss-, mows-, museand -walb, -web. [Also in the mod. Sc. and north. Eng. dial. The reason for the application is not clear.] A spider's web, cobweb. Also fig.1556–7 Edinb. Old Acc. II. 73.
Hadder bussomes to sowp the mouswalbis 1567 G. Ball. 110.
Thay [the idols] can pronunce na voce furth of thair throtis, Thay ar ouergane with mouswobis [v.r. musewobs] & moitis 1587 Edinb. D. Guild Acc. 283.
[For] dechtin of the mowswobbis of the wallis and wyndois 1597 Misc. Spald. C. I. 178.
Quhilk yeid befoir him lyk mousswobis and culd nocht be helpit 1633 M. Works Acc. (ed.) II. 347.
Mouse webbisfig. 1622 Scot Course of Conformity 79.
Our forebeears finding the controverted ceremonies to be the mouse-webs of Popery
