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

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

String, v. Also: stringe. [Late ME (once) y-strenged p.p. (c1400), e.m.E. strynge (1508-13), string- (1545); String n.]

1. tr. To furnish (a garment, etc.) with a tie-string. Cf. String n. 6. 1538–9 Treas. Acc. VII 142.
For silk to string the said polk witht 1540 Treas. Acc. VII 408.
Deliverit to Maus Achisoun to string his grace sarkis witht, twa unce ruben silk

2. To thread (objects) on a strip of material. Cf. String n. 8. 1573 Treas. Acc. XII 353.
For the making of v dosane of buttonis of gold and silver … for iiij elnis of trasing silk to string thame

3. To move or march as a string (String n. 9). b. Const. up, to draw up in lines in formation. 1638 Adamson Muses Thr. I 104.
Spacious bounds within sojours to dreel, To march, to string, to turne about and wheelb. c1650 Spalding I 210.
Thairfoir thay stringit wp thair horss company on the vther syde of the water of Die

4. To place on a rota or list. (String n. 10.) 1565 Edinb. Univ. MS La.iii.388a, 1b.
The clerkis to resaue all the literes that salhappin to be gevin in in tymes cuming and to string and devyde thame be thair awin dayis to be callit daylie as said is

5. ? To cut (metal) into small strips. (String n. 11.) 1670 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 77 (8 Nov.).
[James McMillen brought to him] half ane pund of leid to string being mylve leid

6. intr. ? To extend in a straight line. Cf. String n. 7. 1674 Kirkintilloch B. Ct. 63.
The old marches that is betuixt [their] … housses and dyke and Andrew Stirlings aiker end to stand in all tyme comeing upon the east end of the dyke and backe of the house to stringe alyke with uther

7. To supply a chain or cord (for a watch). Cf. String n. 12. 1680 Foulis Acc. Bk. 45.
To Mr. Runnie for stringing my old watch, a new key tharto, and helping another watch