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 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Orphelin(e, Orphalin(e, n. and a. Also: orpheling, -yn, -en, -ane; orphal(l)ing, orphalene, -one, orfaling; orphiling. [ME. and e.m.E. orphelyn, -ine, orphling (1630), adj. (Chaucer), n. (a 1450), OF. orphelin, orfelin (13th c. in Littré), by dissimilation f. orphenin Orphanyne n.] An orphan; a child bereft by death of father or mother or both parents. Also predic. as adj., orphan.noun. 1533 Boece ix. viii. 305.
That nane be the law suld iournay ane orphaline destitute of parentis within perfite age c1552 Lynd. Mon. 1908.
Pure orphelenis vnder feit ar fulȝeit a1586 Maitland Ho. Seytoun x.
Orphalingis 1562 Knox II. 340.
Orphelyns 1570 Cal. Sc. P. III. 475.
[The Countess of Murray and her] orphilingis 1570 6th Rep. Hist. MSS. App. 654/1.
To rander … all sic guiddis … quhilkis … suld apperteyne to his orphilingis 1573 Cal. Sc. P. IV. 590.
Orphalenes 1583 Edinb. Test. XIII. 109.
Gif it salhappin his said relict to be with barne … incais of the inlaik of the said future orphelane 1583–4 Reg. Privy C. III. 633.
Be the miserable estate of the innocent orphelingis, the said Williames bairnis a1586 Lindsay MS. (at end).
I sall defend all wedowis orphelines and maidines of guid fame 1587 Aberd. Chart. 89.
Orfalingis 1589 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 6.
Orphalones 1594 Cal. Sc. P. XI. 448.
Orphelingis 1596 Dalr. I. 222/20.
Na orphiling … soulde be summound afore lawful age 1600 Colville Palinode 30.
A father to orphelings, a warrand to wedowes Id. Paraenese Ep. 62.
Orphalins 1612 Reg. Soltre 246.
Orphalingis 1665 Lauder Jrnl. 101.
Orphelingadj. 1587 Aberd. Chart. 89.
Ane hospitall for supporte of the pure impotent and orphaling 1600 Hamilton Facile Tr. 137.
I sal not leaue ȝou orphelins (or fatherles) 1600-1610 Melvill 595.
Chryst hes … promissit … not to leive thame orphalling