Dictionaries of the Scots Language
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.

Much, Muche, a. (n.) and adv. Also: mwche, moche, mouch(e, muchte, mutch(e, mwtch, mutsch. [e.m.E. and ME., shortened from muchel, mochel, used in place of Sc. Mekill, Mikill. Cf. also Mich(e.] Much.a. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 4630.
adj. Sa muche blude 1610 Highland P. III. 118.
To think my willingnes as mouch as euir 1619 Fam. Innes 210.
Quhilk day is to be ane of mutch honor to me 1624 Dunferm. Ann. 283.
With mutche stryveing 1629 Black Orkn. & Shetl. Folklore 104.
Mutch bluid 1657 Glasgow B. Rec. II. 364.
With mwtch painisb. a1570-86 Dunb. Maitl. F. xc. 36.
n. Sum hes so mwche he takis no cure [etc.] 1560 Rolland Seven S. 2027.
Mony seruandis … Muche taking outc. a1500 Colk. Sow i. 359.
adv. That for so much thay beleuit That [etc.] c 1522 Doug. in Doug. (Sm.) I. p. cxi.
For als moche as than the said duke wald [etc.] 1542 Douglas Corr. 147.
That he wald cum and do his dewite to the governour, and mouche the rather for our cause 1560 Rolland Seven S. 1078.
I couet ȝow muche baith to se and knaw 1561 Murray in Cal. Sc. P. I. 535.
Yff we leyn to much to our awin wyttis 1584-9 Maxwall Commonpl. Bk. 3 b.
Let nocht thi eine to mwche fwll of tears be c1590 Fowler I. 240/3.
Thought they not muchte prevaill 1612 Lett. & St. P. Jas. VI 205.
Muche hindersome to this service 1615 Highland P. III. 258.
To be so mutche the moir instant with the erll 1619 Maxwell Mem. II. 196.
To my mutsch respected cusing 1661 Elgin Rec. II. 296.
She answerit she was not so mutch invailling 1675 Anal. Scot. I. 336.
These members, indeed, did brangle too mutch [: tutch]