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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.

Outsetting, vbl. n. Also: outsettinge and owt-. [Out adv., Set v., Setting vbl. n.; and (for sense 1) Outset(t v.]

1. a. Giving out to public knowledge, publication; proclamation; also, publication to the best advantage, promotion. 1558–9 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I. lxiii.
To require my Lord Huntlie … and all otheris fewaris … for outsetting, defence and mantenyng of the Catholick fayth 1562 Inverness Rec. I. 94.
The baillies … sall elect the eldaris deaconis and maisters of wark for outsetting of ane pairt of the said arteclis 1565 Canongate Kirk S. (ed.) 28. 1569 Canongate Ct. Bk. 51. 1580 Inverness Rec. I. 287.
For decoring, outsetting, manteinyng and defending the libertie and commoun weill thairof 1581 Ib. 289.
The provest bailles and cunsall … fyndis Catheryne Keitht … to abwse hir in outsetting of hir as ane dissawar of the commoun peple, thairfor decernis hir to be banneist of this burcht 1613 Haddington B. Rec. (Robb) 6 Dec.
Sex hundreth punds for the expensis of the persute … of ane Germane callit Stercovins for outsetting ane infamous libell … agains the haill Scottis natioun

b. Putting on (a show or performance) impressively or with splendour; also, ? more neutrally, putting on, producing. a1578 Pitsc. I. 366/5.
And thir wonderis was sen be the nobielietie and common pepill that was thair thocht they war maid be men of ingyne for the outsetting of thair treumph to do the King of Scotland and the King of France … plesour 1580 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 172.
That Andro Steuinsoun … sall len … ane of the townis anseingyeis to James Wemys … for owtsetting of the play to be maid at Dunfermeling 1581 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 469.
Gewin to Robert Semple in Dumbartane for outsetting of the pastyme to the Kingis Majestie

c. Adorning, ‘gracing’. a1658 Durham Comm. Rev. 2.
His expressions were … ordinarily, very massie, significant, and expressive of his meaning, … not … so adorning and outsetting of it, as possibly some would be at

d. Support or maintenance, with money, provisions, equipment or troops; equipping, furnishing with necessities. 1561 Rentale Dunkeld. 340.
Thay grantit to gif hir grace for the outsetting of her majesties honest effairis the fourt part of ther levingis 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 137.
To raise ij^m men of weir, and transport thame to Denmark for outsetting of the King of Denmark his weir aganis the King of Swadin a1578 Pitsc. II. 241/13.
This taxt was raisit for the outsetting of the ambassadour to Ingland

2. a. Removal from a place formerly occupied to one further out (Out adv. 1 a). b. Bringing (a window) into existence by breaking through a wall: cf. Out adv. 9. 1592 Burntisland B. Ct. 27 Sept.
Johine Orrok … his mater anent the remowinge and outsettinge off the … dykis off his said ȝaird laitlie remowit and sett out be him 1609 Dunferm. B. Rec. II. 65.
[The Council] grantis him oversyt to big up his gavill and his rebattis alreddy placeit for outsetting the said lycht to remane

3. Letting out (of land) on lease or feu. 1646 Edinb. B. Rec. VIII. 87.
And the inhabitants burdened with certane dayis taskis or dargs in harvest quhich ar unusefull to the good toun, and yet in tyme of outsetting thairof wes of good importance 1658 Aberd. Council Lett. III. 336.
To sie if the outsetting [of the Burrowmure of Perth] … be for the improvement of thair commoun good 1671 Ib. V. 78.
Setting furth ther comone lands … to the best availl for augmenting ther comone good, and the maner of outsetting therof whither in few or tack

4. Setting out, departure. c1680 W. Row Blair 141.
Mr Livingstone also, before their outsetting, often said that … they would never go to New England Ib.
They had much toil in their preparation to so great a voyage, and many hindrances in their outsetting 1679 J. Somerville Mem. II. 312.
By their outsetting and martche, he perceaved they intended a removal

5. = outletting Outlatting vbl. n. c (if not merely misread for this). — 1685-8 Renwick Serm. 371.
And do not provoke Him to draw back the gracious out-settings of his love and grace, that have been sweet and refreshing to you