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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Sneising, Snising, (vbl.) n. Also: sneiss-, snees-, sneiz-, sneezing, sniss-, sniz(e)ing, snuisione, sneishing, -en, sneeshon, snishing. [e.m.E. snesynge (1495), sneezinge snuff (rare, 1672). The forms in -sh-, the usual later Sc. dial. usage, are appar. influenced by Gael. snaoisean.]

1. The action of a. Sneezing. b. Taking snuff, or a similar herbal powder.a. a1605 Montg. Flyt. 311 (T).
The [s]neising, the snytting [etc.] a1646 Wedderburn Voc. (1709) 13.
Sternuto, to neeze. Sternutatio, a sneizingb. 1638 Adamson Muses Thr. I 158.
I'le quickelie go a herbarising To cure that melancholik mood by snising

2. Snuff. Also, with the indef. art., a pinch of snuff. Also attrib. and comb.(1) 1637 Grant Chart. 452.
In the said wood, … wher yee … took sneising and tobacoe togither ?a1648 Polemo-Mid. 134.
Sneezing 1652 Lindores A. 211.
Who sall be deprehended taking sneizing, clatering … or playing at the bowlls [etc.] 1655 Cramond Ch. Grange 20.
Johne Talior [etc.] … delat for drinking and for putting sneising among drink 1658–9 Aberd. Shore Wk. Acc. 440.
Peyit for sneising to the shoirwork c1650-1700 Descr. Zetland 87.
They hold it a breach of the sanctity of the place … if any man … take sneesing of tabaco c1650-1700 Descr. Zetland 90.
They … make use of the nut it self to keep their sneesing(b) 1648 Dunferm. Ann. 316.
Those that offers and takes snising in the kirk 1657–8 Aberd. Shore Wk. Acc. 426.
To Johne Archbell for snissing 1659–60 Aberd. Shore Wk. Acc. 456.
Snizing 1668 Old Ross-shire II 85.
That no snuisione … be sold till … tacks be givin and takin tharof … any contravene … be selling of any paper of snuisione … sall pay four pounds Scotts a1689 Cleland 34.
Some snizeing from their fellows getting 16… Sempill P. 70/77.
A mill of good snizing to prie(c) 1655 Aberd. Eccl. Rec. 136.
That he did mack ane moke of repentance, by putting in of sneishen in his eyes to make them tear 1658 Boharm Kirk S. 1 Aug.
Goeing forth in tyme of divyne service to discourse and tak sneishing 1676 Grant Chart. 356.
I … bought a plakes worth of snishing(2) 1686 G. Stuart Joco-Ser. Disc. 13.
I drew my box, and teuk a sneeshon [: cushion]attrib. 1643 Edinb. Test. LX 270b.
Sum sneissing boxes 1681 Colvil Whig's Suppl. (1681) ii 9.
There his sneezing milne and box lyescomb. 1643 Dunferm. Kirk S. 12.
Who … in tyme of preaching … taks thair sneising tobacco [pr. tobatto] 1637 Justiciary Cases II 345.
[They] tuik sneising tobacco togidder