A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Sted(e, Steid, n.1 Also: steide, steyd(e, stead(e, steed, stedd, stad(e, staid(e, styd, st(e)ith, steeth. [ME and e.m.E. stude (a1175), stede (c1200), stide (Wyclif), stad (14th c.), sted, steed (both c1400), steyd(e (c1420), steide (1524), stead(e (1552-3), stedde (1557), OE stede, MLG stad, stede, ON staðr, Orkn. dial. steethe (Marwick). Cf. Sta(i)the).]
I. 1. A place or location.Identified adjectivally or contextually as a specific place or unspecified; also, fra stede to stede from place to place.(a) 1375 Barb. iv 491.
Scho schawyt a sted To the king in a wode glen, And said Schir her I saw the men a1400 Leg. S. xii 182.
The beste aplis of that sted He gadderyt a1400 Leg. S. xxvii 526.
Thai fand quhare a fare sted was, Enhournyt with treis sere ?1438 Alex. ii 9548.
His men fled all fra stede to stede c1420 Wynt. v 5341.
Theyne passyd he: Fra that stede [W. steid] he held hym away c1475 Wall. ix 1282.
Thai … buschit thaim in a dern sted tharby 1513 Doug. iv iv 71.
To diuers stedis throu the feildis Thai seik to haldis, howsis, hyrnys, and beildis 1513 Doug. vi Prol. 89.
Distinit in hell … placis twane, And principaly the sted of fell tormentis 1513 Doug. vii ii 68.
Genyus the god of that ilk sted c1552 Lynd. Mon. 1876.
Quhen Thara harde his sonne wes dede, He did depart out of that stede 1694 Hist. Clan Gregor II 202.
Having tyed his horse to a sted at the door(b) ?1438 Alex. ii 7062.
For the steid [F. li lieus] … me besocht And stollin blenkis of fare ene c1400 Troy-bk. ii 876 (D).
Faire Polixena tuk he & … put hir in a prive steide c1500-c1512 Dunb. (STS) lxxxi 93.
Busie serwandis … all directit vnto sindrie steidis 1513 Doug. xi v 44 (Sm.).
Ne may thai thens be harlit of that steyd 1535 Stewart 50527.
His bruther Edward … tuke the feild … This ilk Edward … Wald nocht than flie ane fit out of that steid 1560 Rolland Seven S. 5994.
Furth of that steid ane step scho durst not steir a1568 Bann. MS 22a/25.
Thy blissit steid aboif the firmament(c) 1655 Logie Par. Hist. 106.
The … diot when heretors were to have their steads for seats within the church
b. In(to) that stede, in that place, where the action is taking place, there; also with the implication of ‘there and then’, on the spot; also as a tag supplying a rhyme. In(to) this stede, in this place, here. In(to) the (samyn, ilk) stede, in the place in question.(1) 1375 Barb. i 610.
The king betaucht hym in that steid The endentur the seile to se 1375 Barb. ii 36.
Syne with a knyff, Rycht in that sted, hym reft the lyff a1400 Leg. S. xxiii 170.
[He] in that sted Layd it ymang the stanis ?1438 Alex. ii 110.
And he had micht, his brotheris dede Had bene reuengit in that stede a1500 Henr. Fab. 2181 (Harl.).
He … hit him … Quhill neir he swonit and swalt in to that steid c1475 Wall. ii 54.
The Inglis man was dede; For his crag bayne was brokyn in that stede c1475 Wall. iv 490.
The Inglismen, that won war in that steid, … thai bertnyt thaim to deid c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 11/139.
The erde did trymmill … Quhairthrow I waiknit in that steid [Arund. in the steid], With spreit … in effray 1513 Doug. vi viii 93.
My fey chalmer gan my body hald. Fordoverit as I lay in to that sted 1513 Doug. x ix 40.
He … in that sammyn sted With petuus voce … thus begouth to cry 1535 Stewart 648.
Yber … left … that new fund yle … To boun him hame … And left his bruther Emecus in that steid, To be thair lord 1535 Stewart 38620.
Tha … saillit vp syne by Sanct Abbis heid Ane hevyning place tha fand syne in that steid, Quhair that tha purposit to pas to land 1535 Stewart 8373.
Steyde 15.. Lichtoun Dreme 49.
Had nocht bein I loutit in that steid I had strikin ane lump out of my heid a1568 Mersar in Bann. MS 269a/15.(2) c1420 Wynt. v 5338, 5339.
Thow wrech ga Fra this stede, and noy na ma In to this stede a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 188.
Heir I mak yow … maister … Of all the … welth I weild in this steid 1513 Doug. xi vi 168.
Maist nobill kyng of kyngis in this sted Hys answer hes thou hard, as I haue tald 1513 Doug. xi xvi 27.
And netheles, but honour in this sted Thy queyn hes not thé left 1540 Lynd. Sat. Proclam. 240.
War Golias in to this steid I dowt nocht to stryk of his heid(3) 1375 Barb. iv 420.
Swa that, in[to] the samyn sted, Weill neir to fourty thar war ded c1450-2 Howlat 461 (A).
Tham lykit full ill, Baith lordis and ladyis, that stude in the steid c1450-2 Howlat 500 (A).
Was nane so sture in the steid micht stand him a start a1500 Sir Eger 1667.
For all the haste he might Ere that he came into the steed … the knight was dead c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 11/139 (Arund.) (see (1) above). 1513 Doug. vi iii 13.
Thai … behald, ligging in the ilk sted, Mysenus new slane
c. In indeterminate use: Whatever place is implied by the context, chiefly, const. every, na, ony, sum. Also fra (from) every stede from every direction.(1) c1400 Elgin Rec. I 13.
He mycht nocht stand, Na gang na fut of the sted To wyne his fude c1450-2 Howlat 150 (A).
Than busk thai … mony bewschyris … that gait for to gane All the statis of the kirk out of steid steris(b) a1500 Sir Eger 2422.
The swiftest hound that ever was made, May run so far into a stade, Will suffer ere he come to lack, A simple hound the game to take(2) a1400 Leg. S. xxxviii 574.
That scho mycht … flit in-[to] sume wthir stede c1420 Wynt. I 719.
Wytht-in Ynde in tyll sum stede Thare lywys a folk wytht-owtyn hede c1420 Wynt. v 2251.
That men mycht newyre, … In na sted, na in na quhylle, Ger hym blenk a1450 Fifteen Ois 320.
That my teris be my dreid Baith day and nycht in euer ilk steid a1500 Henr. Fab. 2600.
Out of thair cais in pryde thay clym sa hie, That thay forbeir thair better in na steid a1500 Lanc. 1123.
Neuer I hard nore saw in to no sted O knycht, the wich [etc.] 1513 Doug. i i 84.
Quha sal from thens adorn in ony stede The power of Juno 1513 Doug. iv ii 48.
Sum tyme the queyn Ene with hir dyd leid Throu owt the wallys onto euery steid 1513 Doug. vii Prol. 45.
Schowris snell Semyt … a symylitude of hell, Reducyng to our mynd, in euery sted Gousty schaddois of eild 1513 Doug. xii ii 39.
Or quhar the scheyn lylleis in ony sted War pulderit with the vermel rosys red(3) 1513 Doug. i i 5.
By fors of goddis abufe from euery steid 1513 Doug. iii viii 30.
The dawyng … chasit away the starnys fra euery sted
d. In, to quhat stede, where. 1375 Barb. vi 548.
Can he say … In quhat stede thar repair suld be c1475 Wall. v 16.
The woman gat away, But to quhat steide I can nocht graithlye say 14… Edinb. Univ. MS 27 fol. 388.
Or than sal he thole sodayne deede Unwetand qwen or in quat stede c1475 Wall. v 356.
Thai beknyt him to quhat stede he suld draw
e. The place at which something has or is to take place, with specification also of time. 1397 Douglas Chart. 38.
The saide Scir Jamys has sette to his awyn seil, yeir day and stede fornemynyde 1399 Holyrood Chart. 113.
The sted dai and yhere beforsaid 1405 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV 173.
Atour this the saide Schir Dauid here apon hase tane instrument, the yere day and sted before writin c1420 Wynt. vii 1856.
The … pape Wrate till … the byschape … off Abbyrdene, As tyme and sted to that wes sene, This lyte Jhon Scot he suld bles c1420 Wynt. vii 2699.
He assygnyd thame a set day And sted, that wes at Alvertown, To tak thaire absolutyown 14.. Acts I 73/2.
At a certane day and sted throu a lele assyse thai sal passe c1500 Barounis Lawis 8b.
[To produce] that best … at certane day & steid c1575 Balfour Pract. 38.
And then aucht the clerk to title the court, makand mentioun of the day, ȝeir and steid, quhan and quhair the court is haldin 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. i 106.
The baillie of that court assignes ane certaine day and steid to them 1622-6 Bisset I 315.
In witnese of the quhilk … we … haif set to oure seillis … At steid day and place foirsaid
f. The place identified by a relative or adverbial clause. 1375 Barb. viii 92.
Behaldand … how his fais clengit the sted That war betuix him & his men a1400 Leg. S. i 63.
The stede Quhar schow suld be put to dede c1420 Wynt. iii 143.
He hapnyd to cum to that stede, Quhare that he [left] the lyowne dede c1420 Wynt. v 1317.
He gert wall in all that stede Quhare Cryste the passyowne tholyd off dede 14.. Acts I 50/2.
That stede in ilke schirefdome quhar the king … statut … catal chalangyt to be brocht [etc.] a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 1018.
[He] straik hym with ane steill brand, in stede quhare he stude c1475 Wall. v 914.
Rycht ner the steid quhar Scottis and Ynglis mete 1513 Doug. xi i 69.
The ilk sted Quhar Pallas lyfles corps was lyggand 1596 Dalr. I 261/9.
He … perceiueng … how … stanie, was the stedd, quhairon thay than stude 1638 Adamson Muses Thr. I 30.
The stead, Where ended was that cruel bloody fead, Between these cursed clans Chattan and Kay
g. Haly (hallowit) sted, steid, steddis. (1) Holy (hallowed) ground. (2) Heaven. (3) Holy places. (4) A holy place, a monastery.(1) 1375 Barb. xv 240.
He stud thar-by till he wes ded And syne had him till haly sted And him … Erdyt 1513 Doug. ii iv 58.
‘Onto the hallowit sted bryng in,’ thai cry, ‘The gret fygur! And lat ws sacryfy The haly goddes’(2) ?1438 Alex. i 2492.
My saull cum neuer in haly steid, I sall set sum in hard affray(3) 14.. Acts I 11/2.
Thai men that ar in pilgrymage and … visitis in haly steddis our ferme pece thai sal haff(4) 14… Edinb. Univ. MS La.ii.318.
Rycht sa Gode heris tytar thar beid That duellis to gidder in haly steid To serve … Him
h. To geve stede, lit. and fig. To create a place, make space for. a1400 Leg. S. iv 267.
The stane, … Wex nesch as it wax war, And gaf sic sted to that body As it a grave had bene ?1438 Alex. i 1031.
Na man of thame was sa hardy That thai na gaif the brother steid Sa of thair handis to de thai drede c1520-c1535 Nisbet Ephes. iv 27.
Will ye nocht geve stede [P. stede, W. stide] to the deuill
i. To stand in steid, see Stand v. 10 c.
2. An inhabited place, implying a number of dwellings, a hamlet, village, town or city, also, perhaps, a populated area of countryside; rarely, a country.(a) 1375 Barb. xx 254.
And fra his folk wist he wes ded, The sorow rais fra sted to sted a1400 Leg. S. vi 190.
Hyr spouse syne of that stede Ves mad bischope a1400 Leg. S. vii 234.
Jerusalem, the fare stede c1420 Wynt. iv 1672.
He wastand fra sted to sted, All throucht the land in ryot rad c1420 Wynt. v 3980.
In Melane syne he tuk hys dede Tyll Constantynopyll fra that stede He wes translatyd c1420 Wynt. ix 2473.
The yong Percy, Be wichcrafft or devilry, Trowit, in nane uthir sted Bot in Berwike to be ded 14.. Acts I 23/2.
He sal be haldyn for burges in nakyn sted bot in that ilk burgh 14.. Acts I 51/2.
Of steddis of warranty in Scotlande Thir ar the steddis of warranty in Scotlande to the quhilkis all warrandis sall cum … in Gowry at Scone, in the Starmunth at Cluny, [etc.] ?14.. Ship Laws c. 9 (B).
A schyp frauchtys hym at Burdewys or at ony vthir stede 1457 Acts II 50/1.
All maner of personis that thinkis to vse the said mesuris may cum to the saide placis [sc. Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Perth] and furnys thame with the saide mesuris beane brynt and selyt with the selys of thai stedis 1513 Doug. xiii ii 62.
The cite of Lawrent, that ryall sted 1666 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 4 (1 Feb.).
[Six rigs of land within the Claycroft, … ] ane wast sted of houses [near to the church door,] ane stank [near the Castelldyks](b) c1450-2 Howlat 817 (A).
The dene rurale worthit reid Stawe for schame of the steid a1500 Henr. Orph. 142.
Cryand … in euery steid and streit, ‘Quhar art thou gane’ 1535 Stewart 30338.
Richt mony toun and steid, Weill biggit war 1649 Berw. Nat. C. XV 350.
The furthest toune or rather steid (whilk is bot one consisting of thretty communicables or thereby) is some two mylls or therby from the kirk, all the rest of the tounes or steids lyeing within a myll round about the kirkpl. ?1438 Alex. ii 1984.
Bot in seir steids haue I bene Quhair I haue hard pryse hir bounte c1420 Wynt. vi 616.
Be northe In steddis sere the wattyr off Forth. In Invery Saynct Monane, That [etc.] c1420 Wynt. vii 1497 (C).
Withe a gret ost of Irlande And of othir stedis seyr c1475 Wall. viii 401.
Wallace than passit … On Patrikis land and waistit … Tuk out gudis and placis doun … cast. His stedis vij, that mete hamys was cauld Wallace gert brek thai burly byggyngis bauld Baithe in the Mers and als in Lothiane Except Dunbar standand he lewit nane 1525 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 224.
That the saidis schipis ar lauchfull prisis to the said king … becaus the said king has weir aganis the steidis to quham the said schippis … pertenit 1543–4 Treas. Acc. VIII 265.
Lettres direct to Hadingtoun, Markill and otherris divers stedis and placis pertenyng to Jhonne Carkettill 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 261.
Thair past to Edinburgh fourtie servands of Pharnyhirstis, to the steidis pertenyng to the erle of Mortoun, nameit Crwdonis eist and west and Sandie Riggis, and raisit fyre thairto, to the greit greiff of the inhabitantis thairof 1607 Berw. Nat. C. XXIV 436.
Ane grit number of the … inhabitantis of Cokburnispeth and steidis about
b. The Steidis, the cities of the Hanseatic League. a1500 Colk. Sow i 379.
Lubwick land and Lunaburgh Malestrand and Makilburcht The steidis sevin and sevinty And all boindis thame by c1500 Interl. Droich 98.
Swadrik, Denmark, and Norraway, Nor in the steiddis I dar nocht ga 1550 Reg. Privy C. I 104.
To the Franchmen, … Danskinmen, Hamburch, nor nane of the stedis, nor to na uthair natioun bot to Holland
3. (A) lodging, a dwelling-place, also, lodging for an animal. b. A building more generally, an edifice. ?1438 Alex. ii 634.
Massones our father hidder come, His wife and barnis him with nome, … Tuke in this land baith reif and stede [F. herbergerie] ?1438 Alex. ii 2824.
Cassiell is tane … Thay of Effesoun hes him led As thare presoner in thare sted [F. Mené l'ont en prison, en lor grant tour antie] c1420 Wynt. ii 1305 (W).
Than a steid [sc. the Labyrinth] [R. In tyll a stede he maid … A manere place] he maid in hy A closoure wonder subtely, And closit it straitly all about a1500 Rauf C. 673.
The rufe reulit about in reuall of reid … Thair was ane hailsum harbery, Into riche steid c1475 Wall. ii 159.
He was in presoune … Leyff I him thar in to that paynfull sted c1475 Wall. viii 1013.
v hundreth men was semblit in that place To sawe thaim selff and thar gud fra Wallace; A ryoll sted, … With turrettis fayr, and garrettis off gret prid c1475 Wall. viii 1167.
In awfull fer thai trawaill throuch the land Maid byggynis bar that thai befor thaim fand Gret barmkynnys [thai] brak off stedis stark and strang a1500 Sir Eger 287.
Turned she again To her maidens … And both she caused from her to go The one mine hackney to his stead, And at his liking could him feed 1554 Duncan Laideus Test. 155.
This hard I all, liand in deip dungeoun … deid Lattin agane vnto my libertie By help of freindis keparis of that steid [etc.] 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1171.
To that royall steid In fellowschip with my leidar I ȝeid. We enterit sone, the portar was not thra [etc.] c1550 Lynd. Test. Meldrum 34.
I leif to God … My spreit … Intill his court perpetuallie to dwell, And neuir moir to steir furth of that steidb. c1420 Wynt. v 1049.
Off Saynt Petyr than made he A memore, and till othir ma Byschapys … allswa Steddys fayr, off gret honowre, He ordanyd for thare sepultoure
4. An area of land, a landed property or estate, a farm.Also schepe stede, a stretch of land grazed by sheep (see S(c)hep(e n. 5 a (2)).Wynt. quot. may rather belong in 1 above. 1537 Reg. Privy S. II 350/2 may belong in 5 below.There is partic. freq. reference to lands in the Borders. 1543 Armstrong Hist. Liddesdale App. lxiii.
Exploits doon uppon the Scottis … A stede of Thomas Reppatis brent a1306 Liber Melros in Orig. Par. I 203.
[The pasture between Hesilyard and] Haldey hardsted 12… Liber Melros in Orig. Par. I 424.
[And above] Selestede Ade [two acres and a half](a) 1425 (1426) Reg. Great S. 11/1.
The offyce of maistrischip off our ward off Yarow lyand wythin our saide forest, togiddir with the stede pertenand to that office … til halde … the said office wyth the stede that langis therto, with all rychtwis pertinence 1437 Cop. St. A. 130.
To haf sett and to ferm lattin … all oure landis … with the tendschef of the samyn stede … for ten pundis of usuale monae 1482–3 Acta Conc. II cxxii.
Johne of Murra to pay … xv li. for thre termes of the wild horses that he has of our soverane Lordis and gif it plesis him to be dischargit of the horses in tyme to cum, deliver thaim and the stede as he resavit thame 1488 Exch. R. X 654.
Warde de Ettrik … Berybus ½ stede … Faudwodegranis, j½ stede, assedantur Johanni Hepburne … Ernheuch, ij½ stedis, assedantur Thome Hume 1491–2 Acta Conc. I 208/2.
The accioun … aganis Robert Scot … for the wrangwis occupacioun and manuring of the forest stede … wythin the forest of Ettrik … for the wranguis vptaking … of the proffitis of the said stede … the said Robert Scot allegiit that he hade the said stede in tak for all the dais of his lif of our souerane lordis faider 1499–1500 Acta Conc. II 372.
And the sade Oswald allegit it was ane … corne sted and the corne that grew on the ground aucht til pay the sade Mertymes terme male or he enterit thareto 1516–17 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 39.
Mungo Broun … sesit … of the fourt part of the Esthanyng extendand to xl s. wortht of land … liand in the sted of the Hanyng within the lordschip of Ettrekforest 1595 Exch. R. XXIII 370.
Lie forrest sted de Sandhoppl. c1420 Wynt. i 1344.
In Bretanny Sum steddys growys sa habowndanly Off gyrs that [etc.] 1423 (1426) Reg. Great S. 11/2 in Orig. Par. I 253.
Twa forestar stedis wythin Schutynlewarde, lyand betwix the masterstede and the couroursted off the ward off the Yharow, wyth al rycht merkis and marchys that thaim awch tyl haff … the said Schyr Wilyeam payand … the malis for the forsaid stedis as uther stedis payes on four half about 14.. Acts I 109/2.
Gif he that makis the dystres haf steddis quhar he may do suilk pundis in 1456 Exch. R. VI 225.
ij stedis in Wyndiduris … Et … de iijo stede in Corsle 1487 Exch. R. IX 470 n.
All and hale our stedis of Catslak [etc.] … with aucht hundreith scheip … apon the said stedis … with all and sindri commoditeis … that … may pertene to the said stedingis and gudis 1501–2 Acta Conc. III 143.
The peceable broiking … of the twa stedis of the landis of Handhoxwoddis a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 365.
Thow has a tome purs, I have stedis and takkis 1509 Reg. Privy S. I 285/1.
Al and hale the forest stedis of Cawdanle, Torwodle and the half stede of the Toftnes 1513–14 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 11.
The forest stedis that war assignit to the pament tharof ar layt waste 1516 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 72.
And gif up quhat stedis of the said forest war plenist and quhat war waist 1535 Treas. Acc. VI 265.
To pas to the stedis quhair the kingis gracis gudis gangis for clengeing of that ground of uthir mennis cattell 1537–8 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 466.
That ye desist … fra all proceding aganis our cousing the Lord Borthuik … anentis the stedis of Stow 1551 Reg. Privy S. IV 225/1.
Oure soverane ladeis forest stedis and landis of Farneley 1576 Waus Corr. 129.
Thai ar ewin tua best steddis that pertenit to that benefice, bayth for stoir and corne(b) 1476 Acta Aud. 45/2.
The wrangwis occupatione of thare steid of the landis of the welwode lyand in Kylis mure 1499 Exch. R. XI 395.
Thar be na steid of the forrest set to ony maner of persone bot gif he remane thairupon himself or ellis ordane ane sufficient tenant and nychtbour thairto that beis abill to keip the said steid nychtbourlike 1500 Philiphaugh Charters in Orig. Par. I 275.
Payand therfor all maills [etc.] … as our rental proports and keipand our said steid forest like as effeiris 1527–8 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 92.
Gef the tane halff of the steid be founding to the said Ysabell, scho … sall have the tane part of the reid land and unreid throue all the feldis 1527–8 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 92.
The said Philip Scot sal put to ane pleucht to the steid of the Bouhill be the lyssens of maister Michell Scot 1533 E. Loth. Antiq. Soc. V 21.
That steid wes waistit wyth turf castyn 1535 Stewart 50054.
Oure heretage syne for to bruke and joy, Baith tour and toun, with tenement and steid 1535 Stewart 53195.
Tha … askit to reward That euery man, … In his awin steid suld duell 1536–7 Prot. Bk. Sir Wm. Corbet 5.
Jhon of Mow … was content to geiff to his eym … all … the landis … callit Mensles … The said William of Mow for that steid gaiff our all … claym … of the lands in to Colrous 1537 Reg. Privy S. II 350/2.
Our soverane lordis landis and lordschip of Brechin and Navar, with the castell, steid [punct. sic in ed.], mylnis, annuellis, woddis [etc.] 1537 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 186.
And I ken thair is half quarter of that steid lyand vaist, hous and all bot a lyttill medoo that Roben hes mawn … [Sande Tailyefer … deponed] that he hard nocht the taikin of that stedding betuex thaim bot I ken it lyes vaist 1540 Lynd. Sat. 2575 (Ch.). 1542 Liber Melros II 641. a1570-86 Maitland in Maitl. F. 315/24.
Quhy do ȝe want this land This tak this steid 1634 Reg. Great S. 103/1.
2 terras husb. et 3 terras cott. et lie grasteidpl. a1568 Bann. MS 94a/31.
Than micht husbandis lawbor thair steidis 1595 Purves Revenue Crown 8.
The non plenishing of his Majesties parks & steids 1627 Rep. Parishes 66.
Bewest the kirk of Sowtra lyeth thrie steidis called Gilstoun, Over Brotherstanis and Nether Brotherstanes(c) c1669 Hawick Arch. Soc. (1937) 21.
These steeds at the head of the Borthwick(d) 1580–90 M. Napier Mem. J. Napier 149.
Thair wer staidis of rigs of ald in that land, to manifest that it hath bein tillit of befor
5. a. The site of a building or buildings, etc., a piece of land on which a building stands; an enclosed area or yard attached to a building. b. A piece of land set aside for some function which, also, might entail a building or buildings. c. Passing into a place-name.Chiefly const. attrib. specifying the nature of the building, enterprise, etc. See also Hous-stede n.1509 quot. may belong in 4 above.(1) 1480 Rec. Earld. Orkney 331.
Me Jamys … till haff sauld … a toft and the grund of a hous stede … the said Jamys oblis me … to warrand the said toft stede and hous … The forsaid totht stede and house to be haldyn … to the said John with all fredomis [etc.] 1509 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV 413.
Eidem … montem castri et le stede de Kynedwarde cum bondis lapidibus calce et pertinenciis eorundem … edificandi et sustinendi super dicto monte castri et le stede, vnum castrum turrim seu fortalicium [etc.] 1513 Doug. iii vi 75 (Ruddim.).
Thare … Is the richt place, and stede for ȝour ciete 1631 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 66.
God will build Jerusalem in the old sted and place where it was before 1642 Rothesay B. Rec. 947.
Item the sted of the new hous xl d.(b) 1676 Craven Ch. in Orkney 63.
Levelling the church yeard, redding up the stones, and smoothing … the old steith of the church yeard dycke 1686 Clouston Hist. Orkney 353.
His fourth part of The new park enclosed by the said David Craigie of late upon the old steith(2) 12… Reg. Dunferm. 223.
Locum qui vocatur le Castilsted 1480 Rec. Earld. Orkney 331 (see sense 5 (1) above).
Hous stede 1493 Dunferm. B. Rec. I 42.
Consentit … to set a kyll sted befor his hous … Johne Duccan payand yerly tharfor viij d. 1513 Doug. viii vi 100.
‘Ȝon twa town, stedis [L. oppida] thou behaldis,' quod he, ‘With barmkyn down bet’ 1534 Liber Melros II 629.
Giff it sall happyn ws the said Andro … till byg or gar big ane walk myll on the said myll sted within the saidis landis 1601 Paisley B. Rec. 244.
The calsay foirgains the Cors and uthiris pairts of the said burgh ar maid midding stedes be sundrie inhabitants(b) 1524 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 73.
Fra the mos … to the auld dik steid 1535 Stewart 60382.
Into the mercat steid Of this Makdonald gart stryke of the heid 1548 Dumfr. & Galloway Soc. XXXIX 50.
For half ane barne steid in Kyrkgait vmqll Shr Jone McCollumis 1588 Exch. R. XXI 344.
The landis and lordschip of Dunbar, withe the mylnis, dowcait, cunnyngar, and castell steid thairof set in feuferm [etc.] 1560 Peebles Gleanings 133.
Thair land and biggin callit Hannykyn kill steid, and yard of the samin, lyand within the burgh of Peblis 1564 Lanark B. Rec. 32.
That na man … sell na maner of merchandris … furth of the mercat steidis of the town 1610 Reg. Great S. 80/2.
Lie teind-barne et teind-barne yaird, cum lie peithous-steid 1655 Retours II Inq. Spec. Dumfries (397).
The mylne of Lochmabane, mylnelands pertaneand thereto, with the walkmylne steid 1670 Retours I Inq. Spec. Dumfries (266).
Loco dominicali vulgo the mansione steides (vel mansionhous steides)(c) 1634 Reg. Great S. 46/1.
Cum lie maltsteadis, brewsteadis, et croftis 1658 Melrose Reg. Rec. I 190.
To take the fewill and foile of my own peis stra of my dung hill steade and laye it upon his(d) 1509 Rec. Earld. Orkney 82.
The dyk-steith that strekis fre the wvyr-dame of Saba to the mark-stane … att the sowith-wast end of Meissegere … sall be meyrche 1583–4 Rec. Earld. Orkney 159.
The sheriff shal … sett one march stone … on the end of the dyk stith at the uper mildam off Saba; so pasing fra that stone along the dyk stith to Kelskrook 1667 Old-lore Misc. IX iii 143.
A … pool … between which and the said dyke steeth, the line of the March goes(3) a1400 Leg. S. xix 594.
Christofore furth than haf thai lede … one to the heding stade 14.. Acts I 12/2.
Ministeris that is duelland wythin the wonning steddis of haly kirkis a1450 Fifteen Ois 130.
That he in paradice suld be with Thé That day … I Thé pray That Thou thai ilk wordis say To my saule quhen it sall fair To wynnyng steid for euermair 1513 Doug. xiii iv 69.
Had beldit … Intill a clift thar byke and duellyng sted
d. Lacht stead, ? the name of a tenement of land or ? = Laich hous n. c. 1649 Reg. Episc. Brechin. II 248.
Unacum fundo lie Lachtstead domi ruinosae jacentis
e. Batale sted, the field of battle, war. 1513 Doug. xi vii 101.
Of his [sc. Drances'] handis into batale sted [L. bello] Full cald of curage
6. a. A part of the body, or a place on the body. a1400 Leg. S. ii 734.
Lofe forbedis, That ony chyld, … Suld defowle the modir that hym fed Of hir wame in the preue sted 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 477.
A man … with lymmis squair His bodie weill entailȝeit euerie steid. He bair a bow with dartis haw as leid 1513 Doug. xii vi 118.
Syne with hys fut doun thryst in the ilk sted Hys fair nek bayn 1513 Doug. xiii x 15 (Ruddim.).
In the samyn stede Apoun the croun of fare Lauinias hede a1568 Bann. MS 141a/8.
Scho had ane hatt vpoun hir heid … With catclukis strynklit in that steid
b. A mark, vestige, trace. Also fut sted (Fut(e)-stede n.).Dalr. quot. may belong in 5 above. 1596 Dalr. I 170/23.
The reliques or stedis thairof [sc. Hadrian's Wall] this day ar seine, ȝit named the Vale of Adrian 1674 Kingarth Par. Rec. 97.
Agnes Hyndman said to her that she left the sted of her bottom in the peit pots 1697 Renfrewshire Witches 147.
The steads of the nails and teeth were seen upon her skin
7. A place assigned to a person; a seat; also the space assigned to a person's corn in a mill, = Roum n. 11. c1420 Wynt. v 3902.
In the qwere off honowre Is a sted for the Empryowre 14.. Burgh Laws c. 72 (B).
To men cumand to the mylne of corne to be kepyt & of multre to be tane and stede of the mylne to be kepyt tyl ilk man [A. & to the mene that cumis to the mylne with thar corne the masteris sal … lelly serf til ilkane in ilk stede of the mylne. Cf. Acts I 33/2, thair roume … to halde]
II. In metaphorical use.
8. Circumstances, state (of affairs), situation. a1400 Leg. S. xxviii 91.
Tho scho wes in pouir stede & nocht with hyr fadir cane be fede a1400 Leg. S. xxix 545.
Disesit the emperoure … & al the Romanis mad rad, Seand thai ware in parel sted; For chiftane had thai nan ?1438 Alex. ii 4940.
Ane gude man suld to ane vther ay In ilk stede bere honour and fay c1400 Troy-bk. ii 389.
Which sted may trust or sekyre be Yf holynes … Corrupt is a1500 Henr. Prayer 84.
And Thow [sc. God] be iuge, dislug ws of this steid 1535 Stewart 20253.
Into na steid his stait that durst ganestand Baith ill and gude war all at his command 1535 Stewart 41104.
Or I tell ȝow quhat wes the remeid, Heir mon I la ane stra into this steid, And of Banquho sum mentioun for to mak a1538 Abell 113b.
Bot alace abbais ar in wor sted na sa for … nocht alanerlie religion is distroyit [etc.]
9. A place or passage in Scripture. Only in Nisbet after Purvey. c1520-c1535 Nisbet Acts xiii 35.
And tharfor on ane vthir stede [P., W. stide] he sais, Thou sal nocht geue thi hali to se corruptioun
10. A position, place or office assigned to or held by a person. b. The position or status held by a concept in a situation. a1400 Leg. S. xxi 643.
Thare-fore to lyne fyrst sted gaf he & to Clet syne pape to be a1400 Leg. S. xxxvi 696.
The ewangeliste Gef sic sted to the baptiste As to the mare ?1438 Alex. ii 6129.
Now gangis the page … Furth, in stede of messingare c1420 Wynt. vii 370.
Quhen Malcolme the kyng thus was dede, Hys brodyre Downald than his sted Fandyde to wyn, and tak c1420 Wynt. vii 394.
[He] Hys eme restoryd till his stede, That before as kyng had he 1499 Exch. R. XI 394.
It is thocht expedient that the vj steidis of office be takin in the kingis handis 1570 Misc. Bann. C. I 45.
And thairfoir, wer I in your graces steid, I sould be betwixt the kow and the corneb. c1420 Wynt. v 2741.
Na thare sall na state endure … Quhare that mercy tays na stede 14.. Reg. Maj. c. 107.
He sal mut hym & gif it gangis til ane assise than the recognicone has stede of new dissessing for to recouer sessing
11. In (to) one's (thair) stede (stedis), in (to) the stede of, in (to) that (this, the) stede, in stede of, in succession to; in place of; instead of. a. As a successor (lineal, appointed, etc.) to an office, etc. b. As a substitute or replacement for, in place of; as a deputy for. Also to stand in steid, see Stand v. 6 d (2).See also Instede phr. comb.(1) a1350 Facs. Nat. MSS II 14.
Thai that comis in thair stede [L. eorum successoribus] 1375 Barb. xix 181.
Fele that now of wer ar sley … other in thar sted sall rys a1400 Leg. S. xxix 907.
Traiane emperour wes ded & Adriane in til his sted Wes chosine ?1438 Alex. ii 180.
Quhan Gaudefere was dede He left tua childer in his stede c1420 Wynt. iv 574.
Twa spaymen syne put hym to dede, And thai succedyt in his stede. And maid thame kyngis off the land c1420 Ratis R. 8.
And thinke at thai [sc. one's forefathers] are neuir dede Quhill gud memore is in thare stede ?14.. Ship Laws c. 24 (B).
The maystyr is nocht haldyn for to … purvay for hym [sc. any absent seaman] bot for to hyre ane vthyr in hys stede 1456 Hay I 265/8.
Ane erle, and he be appelit of bataill, … aw nocht till ansuere in persone, bot … be a campioun in his stede 1478 Peebles B. Rec. I 183.
[He] raquerit [them] … for a lessens … that he mycht leif a chaplan in his sted c1475 Wall. viii 1699.
In till his sted he chesyt a gouernour To kep the land c1500-c1512 Dunb. (STS) xliii 27.
Send in ȝour steid, Ȝour ladeis grathit vp gay 1533 Gau 9/25.
Thay [sc. parents and rulers] ar in Godis sted institut to minister iustice 1535 Wigtown B. Ct. 302b.
& hais gottyne the consent of the comvnyte thare to … Jhone Ahannaye deputis Rogere of Gordon in his sted c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2136.
Thay … Quhen ony famous man wes deid, Sett vp one image in his steid, Quhilk thay did honour 1567 Sat. P. vii 83.
To se sic vice set vp in vertewis steid 1678 Edinb. B. Rec. X 357.
Stedd — c1420 Wynt. vii 2025.
Rychard … tuk the crowne in to the sted Off hys fadyr, that thus wes dede 1549 Compl. 73/27.
In the stede of reuarde ande gratitude … ȝe purches … my distructione 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 15.
Scho tuke it away everie quhit, and appoyntit pewder in the steid thairofpl. c1460 Regim. Princ. 12 (Maitl.).
Gif the stringis be nocht all trew … pull out and mak thame quyt And other trew put in thair steidis 1494 Acta Aud. 185/1.
Giff it sall happin ony of the saidis jugis to … failȝe be deces it salbe lefull to the remanent of the saidis jugis to cheis vtheris in ther steddis 1518 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 177.
Vnder payne of depriuatioun of thame of thair offices … and vtheris to be putt in thair steidis(2) a1400 Leg. S. i 470.
Nero gaf sic sentence … That he that mocht nocht bring to lyfe The body, that lay thar than dede, Suld de tharfor ine that stede c1420 Wynt. i 750.
A gret bane, … has he, In that stede quhar hys teth sulde be c1420 Wynt. v 4424.
Quhen Leo the fyrst wes dede, Empryowre in to that sted Leo [the] Secund, hys sone, ras c1420 Ratis R. 148.
Spend it nocht mys … Fore thow dois into that sted Sum wyce will rut c1450-2 Howlat 777 (A).
He couth cary the cowpe of the kingis des, Syne leve in the sted Bot a blak bunwed 1540 Lynd. Sat. 2274 (B).
Call ȝe this a gud ressoun, That he sowld prommeis me ane gud pardoun, And heir ressaif my money in this [Ch. his] steid, Syne make me na payment till I be deid? 1567 G. Ball. 145.
All ire and malice Thow put vs fra, Thy seruandis gouerne in the steid(3) a1400 Leg. S. xii 306.
Ane, … for apostil … Yn-sted of Judas c1420 Wynt. i 724.
In thare brestys ar holys twa In-stede of nes and mouth a1450 Fifteen Ois 142.
Tak thair thy sone in steid of me. … Johnne, lo thair thi moder is a1500 Henr. Fab. 273.
Ane lordis fair thus couth thay counterfeit Except … thay drank the watter cleir In steid off wyne 1491 Acts II 226/1.
And all vthir ȝemen … sall haf … bowis & schaiffis swerd buklare knyff spere or gud ax in sted of the bow 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1887.
Silver … In steid of symont … ouir all that wone 1558 Inverness Rec. I 27.
Ane byll of complent gyfin in be Schir William Anderson, chepland, … complenȝeand to the prowest [etc.] … that [etc.] … for I may nocht trawell to the kyrk for feyr of my lyf of hym and this my complent in sted of brocht 1561 Q. Kennedy Compendious Ressonyng (ed.) 167/13.
Christ … did command him self to be offerit in sted of brutale beistis, quhilkis war offerit in the auld law 1567 Anderson Collect. Mary I 125.
Chesing of the foirsaids foure lordis abouewritten, in steid and place of the foirsaids utheris foure lordis 1612 Orkney & Shetl. Ct. Bk. 39.
Quha in steid of uther probatioun desyrit the mater to be put to the knawledge of ane assyse 1692 Misc. B. Rec. 95.
In leiw and stead of the fyve pound sterline [etc.](b) a1400 Leg. S. xii 4.
The apostil Sancte Mathy That in nowmyr the laste ves, In stad of the tratour Judas 1602 Dundonald Par. Rec. 1.
Hir ky thaireftir gaif bluid in stad of milk
12. To tak stede, to take place, to happen, to have effect. c1420 Ratis R. 950.
Is nothir scaith, scham na dreid Agan hir wyll may than tak sted 14.. Acts I 39/2.
Na essonȝe takis stede [L. locum] in the burgh in till the mote of lande bot gif [etc.] 14.. Reg. Maj. c. 44.
That in that mut batal sal tak na sted
III. 13. Service, favour; advantage, profit. b. To do (mak, be) stede. Of a person: To offer service (to, for another), also with indirect object. c. To mak (do) never nocht, na, etc. stede, to be for na stead, to be of no use or avail, to be without advantage or profit. d. To stand in(to) sted, see Stand v. 22 b and 46 c. 1526 Reg. Soltre 97.
Schir Thomas Watsoun, maister of the hospitale and the prebendaris and cheptour for the steid kyndnes mantenans defending supple and aufald part for the liberte of Haly Kirk to be takin vsit and to be done till ws … be Schir James Hammyltoun … and in speciale for the helping of liberte and preuilege of our kirk of Wemes … settis to the said Schir James the personage of the Eist Wemes 1544 Corr. M. Lorraine 107.
Gif ye will send any word to Fraunce this schip is redy to depart. Ony uthir sted our serwice your grace will charge me I am redye 1580–1 Waus Corr. 233.
Gif thair be ony steid or seruice that I may plesour your l[ordship] with, ye sall haue me ridde at command 1585 Breadalbane Lett. 27 Nov.
And this with vther stad or plesour that lyes in my power 1598 Crawford Mun. Invent. II 210 (12 May).
Ther is no houp of redres bot other to steid of the towne c1600 Montg. Suppl. x 21.
Seiking but dreid, favour, or steid, Till Atropis threid my lyve devoirb. (1) 1484 Aberd. B. Rec. I 41.
Johne the Rosse … sall pay v merkis to Sanct Nicholace wark and that he sall do alsmekil sted and seruice to tham, as he has done them grevans 1505 Edinb. B. Rec. I 102.
Because we ar … of gude mynde till do this gude tovne all the steid plesour and seruice than [sic] we can 1518 Crawford Mun. Invent. I 59 (27 Jan.).
Sir David sal do to the said lord honour steid and service 1524 Douglas Corr. 15.
The Earle of Angus, that did never sic steed and service to … me 1526 Reg. Soltre 97.
For the steid kyndnes mantenans … and aufald part … to be done till ws 1529 St. P. Henry VIII IV 562.
And, giff thar be ony steid or service my simpilnes ma do to the pleaser of ȝour Grace 1530 Lamont P. 38.
I … sal … ryd … wytht the said lord … in his … supple … and sall do the said lord … sted seruice and plesour at myn and myn airis possible power 1532 Black Bk. Taymouth 180.
Tha sall rid and gang and tak leil … pairt with the said Erll … and sall do sted to him aboun all vther lord 1538–9 Prot. Bk. Thomas Johnsoun 35.
His barnis … mycht have dune gret proffit and steid to thaimselfis to have lerit in the schull 1542 Linlithgow B. Ct. 2 Oct.
Ilk ane of ȝow assyst fortifie and do sted to our cousing, Hare Lord Methwin [? our] schireff principale in his office ?1543–4 Corr. M. Lorraine 54.
Your lordschip gyff ewir I may do ony steid sall fynd me ane trew servand 1550 Corr. M. Lorraine 323.
I knaw … quhat sted thai will do me 1559 Cal. Sc. P. I 251.
[I have written to Randell to come here, for he will do me] meikil steid 1591 Waus Corr. 475.
And as to my owtcuming, I wald gladlie do the samyn, geve the samyn mycht do my steid(b) 1548 Corr. M. Lorraine 245.
It is rycht lamentable … till ony trew hart that has don gret service … and thinkis will God, to do trew staid [etc.](c) ?1548 Corr. M. Lorraine 226.
To do your masterschip styd or serwespl. 1546 Perth Guildry 234 (18 Sept.).
The trow afald and thankfull seruice stedis thankis & plesuris don to vs(2) 1527 Maxwell Mem. I 256.
The saidis landis … war gevin to me be the said Georgis for plesour, steid, thankis, and gud deid maid 1574 Three Reformers 117.
So to the west he made sic steade, That they may sare lament his dead 1589–90 Waus Corr. 444.
I will pray your l[ordship] verie effectuouslie, for ony sted or plesser I can euir be to your l[ordship] [etc.]c. (1) c1460 Thewis Wysmen 69.
Wyt but cheryte makis na sted, And faith but gud deid is bot ded 1508 Treas. Acc. IV 116.
To the pottar of Strivelin for ane muld for ane gun making that maid na stede 1513 Doug. x vi 61.
The giltyn mailȝeis makis hym na sted, For in the cost he tholys dynt of ded 1533 Boece 94.
His navyn be storme of weddir was sa fruschit that grete parte thareof wald in tyme cuming mak na stede 1533 Boece 599.
It maid nocht steid to withstand the oursett of inemyis in thair wictory reiosing 1533 Boece 622b.
Nowder thir regentis nor counsalouris maid steid, for … he disordorit all at his pleisour 1538 Aberd. B. Rec. MS XVI (Jam. s.v. Cruke).
[He] hes crukit my said hors that he will neuer mak sted to me c1650 Spalding II 443.
[They] left not ane four footed beist in his haill landis, and sic as wold not call thay hochit and slew, that thay sould neuer mak sted(2) 1524 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I 389.
Ane precept of seysing without charter … followand therapoune suld do nane steide nor be of effect 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 302.
This proclamatioun did na steid bot maid the drink scanter in the said toun(3) 1643 Orkn. Witch Trial in Misc. Abbotsf. C. I 294.
I was about the loch with Jonet Sklateris … but it is for no stead it will never mend hir
You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Sted n.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 21 Nov 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/stede_n_1>