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

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Upo(u)n(e, prep. (adv.). Also: upo(u)nn, uppo(u)n, -oune, (upom), wpon(n, -pone, -poun(e, -pown, oup-, owpon, apon. [ME and e.m.E. upponn (Orm), upon (a1225), vppon (a1272), apon (c1290), vpone (14th c.); Up adv. and On prep. Cf. Apon prep., Quher(e)upon rel. adv., Thar(e)apon(e adv., uponland Up(a)land adj., adv. and adv. phr.For many more examples see Call v. 1, 2; Keping vbl. n. 2 a; Lay v.¹ 16-19, 26 e, 27, 43 a, 46 c; Lenth n. 8 d; Loft n. 2; Pas v. 33; Put v. 2, 14, 23(3), 28, 29 b; Red(e v. 11 b; Ses(e v.¹ 8; Set v. 14 a, 16 a, 18, 22 b, 26, 34 c, 45 (2), 53 (1), 54 b, 66.

A. prep. I. Of position or situation upon. In material and non-material applications.

1. Above and supported by or in contact with. = On prep. 1. 1453 Douglas Bequest (No. 108) xii 1.
Lefand the sayd soume of mone behynd thaim vpon the he altar 1503 Fam. Innes 92.
[To] pay … twa hundretht markis upone ane day … vppoun the hye altar of the kyrk of Crimond c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 143/100.
This lady … leit him listly lene upone hir kne 1535 Stewart 25725.
Occa … Vpoun ane bay out of the feild him bair 1552 Buccleuch Mun. II 211.
[You did] send ȝour twa horce to the lard of Cesfurd to ryd away vpoun 1597 Rec. Earld. Orkney 322.
Uppoun ane day betuix the sone ryissing and doun passing … within the cathedrall kirk of Kirkuall uppoun ony patent place within the samin meit for numbering of money 1603 Crim. Trials II 423 (see 18 below).

b. Upon (one's) dead-bed, while lying at point of death. 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. i 30.
Vpon his dead bed … it is not permitted to him to doe the samine [sc. give away lands in heritage]

2. Carried on (one's person), in (one's possession). = On prep. 2. 1578 Glenartney Doc.
Vnder the pane of escheting of sick guides and geir as salhappin to be fund vpoun thame

3. On (the land, ground); at, in, on ((the) sea). = On prep. 3.(1) c1400 Troy-bk. i 143.
Mawgre hys wpone hys land We sall sett ankeres one the sand a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 552.
Bery broune wes the blonk … Wpone the mold quhare thai met a1500 Henr. Fab. 76.
Iowellis ar tint … Vpon the flure, and swopit furth anone 1512 Exch. R. XIII 445 n.
Powar … balye courtis upon oure saidis landis and landschipis to set 1535 Acts II 343/2.
To plant vpoun thare onsett ȝerelie for euery mark land ane tree 1549 Reg. Cupar A. II 59.
The said miln landis lyand vpoun the est of the burn of Wester Drymmie 1565 Edinb. B. Deeds 197b.
Sax chalderis beir … to be deliuerit vpoun the schoir of Leith 1572 Irvine Mun. I 63.
For frie ische and intres to and fra the said watter togidder with ankirage and ankirheid upoun the saidis landis 1596 Dalr. I 31/4.
Wpon the coste of the Lenox lyes Argyle 1594 Edinb. Test. XXVI 173b.
In the malt barne vpoun the flure ten bollis malt 1598 Treas. Acc. MS 87.
To the monting of the cannoun and keiping of thame upoun the grein [of Glasgow] 1622 (1624) Reg. Great S. 234/1.
The saidis landis wponn that myre 1663 Rec. Old Aberd. I 104.
The nolt and key marcat [shall be] wpoune the ministers mance(2) c1520-c1535 Nisbet I 7.
Christ … apperis be nycht vnto his disciplis vpounn the see 1535 Stewart 12183.
So mony men had dround vpone the se 1587 Reg. Privy C. IV 216.
Schippis laidnit with grene fishe … gottin upoun the mayne sey 1641 Reg. Great S. 355/2.
To have ane ferrie boat uponn the watter of Don 1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 2.
What a distressed brother I was upon the sea neids not hear be told

b. On or in the surface of (an object). 1517–18 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 45.
Certan fyreweschell, … the quhilk he brak and holit as maye be sen upon the said weschell 1607 Reg. Privy C. VII 315.
Quhais names, airmes [etc.] … ar … ingraved upoun ane litle dure … of the said ile

4. Resting on (one's knees). = On prep. 4.For further examples see Kne n. 2 b. 1535 Stewart 28112.
Vpoune his kneis he kissit ay that cors a1578 Pitsc. I 112/1.
Askand mercie and forgiuenes wpoun his kneis

5. Of clothes, as covering the body. = On prep. 5. 1615 Denmylne MSS in Highland P. III 211.
The poore inhabitantis so beggerit … as thair wes no cloathis left vpoun thame

6. a. Mounted on (a horse). b. On (foot). = On prep. 6 a, b.a. 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. ii 82 (Table).
Ane man rydand vpon horse sould keipe the forther feet of the horse that they doe na skaith a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1498.
There is not a lordlier corpse ful nor a loun upon his maisters horseb. 1597–8 Household Bks. Jas. VI and Anne I (Feb.).
Officeris that passit wpon fitt to [etc.]

7. a. Applied, fixed, or set to or supported or suspended on. = On prep. 8. b. Suspended above.a. 1490 Irland Mir. I 81/6.
The precius body of Jhesu that hang vpone the tre of the croce c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 212.
Thow bringis the Carrik clay to Edinburgh cors Upoun thy botingis c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 25/9.
Thair saw I flowris … And halsum herbis upone stalkis grene ?1549 Monro W. Isles (1884) 15.
Ane bay of sea, quhilk is a gude heavin for ships to ly upon ankers 1553–4 Edinb. B. Rec. II 188.
That ane irn yet be maid … vpoun the dur of the said charterhous 1561 Q. Kennedy Compendious Ressonyng (ed.) 181 (G).
Jesus Chryst … quha vincust thair awld inimye vpone ane croys a1568 Scott i 4.
Welcum, oure rubent rois vpoun the ryce! 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 205.
He wes hangit at the mercat croce of Striueling vpoun the jebat 1596 Dalr. I 121/2.
Lat him end his lyf vpon ane fork(b) c1617 Orkney Rentals iv 29.
3 st. beir oupon the beir pondlarb. 1596 Dalr. I 94/35.
Thay hing it in the cruik … and sa thay kuik it verie commodiouslie vpon the fyre

8. a. Near or at (a water-course or border region). = On prep. 11. b. About, approximately (the stated distance).a. 1473 Reg. Cupar A. I 197.
To mak a myl … othir vpoun the gret watter or vpoun the burn a1500 Henr. Fab. 2626.
Vpon the reuer in ane vther place Beneth the volff he drank ane lytill space a1578 Pitsc. I 73/7.
The Inglischmen … had stentit thair pallieȝieouns wpoun the watter of Serke 1603 Moysie 30.
John erle of Montroise wes maid leiftennent vpone the borderisb. c1641–54 J. Gordon in Macfarlane's Geog. Coll. II 516.
A fresche water loch upon a myl from the sea c1641–54 J. Gordon in Macfarlane's Geog. Coll. II 519.
Ther is a firrwood upon fourteen myles of lenth

9. On (a particular side). = On prep. 12.(a) 1375 Barb. xi 175 (C).
Schir Gylys de Argente he set Vpon [E. apon] ane half, his renȝe to get, And … schir Amery On othir half ?1438 Alex. i 1211.
Wpon ane syde of the feild he saw [etc.] a1500 Rauf C. 289.
I se the firmament fair vpon ather syde 1519 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 51.
Upone the ester halff of umquhill Woll Taitis tenement 1553 Glasgow Prot. I 58.
The lynearis … hes devydit the tenement … betuix … his eldest sone … upoun that ane pairt and … upoun the wthir pairt(b) 1558 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I 295.
Now glais and punteng owp on the est syd of the Quenis grac hall

10. a. On (a certain day). b. During (night-time), by (night). c. In (the morning). d. Within, during, for (a period of time). e. Immediately after, following or consequent on (an event). Also, upon the back of.Cf. On prep. 14.a. 1474 Treas. Acc. I 64.
To the king and the qwene to offir vpone Sonday the xiiij day of Julij c1475 Wall. i 203.
Wpon a day to Dunde he was send 1494 Treas. Acc. I 238.
To the King to offir vpone Sanct Bertilmewis day 1503 Fam. Innes 92 (see 1 above). 1554 Treas. Acc. X 225.
Upoun the xvj day 1565–6 Crim. Trials I i 476.
Vpone the fyift day of Januar lastbypast 1558-66 Knox I 460.
Upoun Mononday … did the Frenche ische out of Leyth 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 9.
Wpoun the Lambes day 1597 Rec. Earld. Orkney 322 (see 1 above). 1600 Glasgow B. Rec. I 201.
Confessit that he … had iniurit Maister Johnne Cowper … wpown Yuill daye att eyne last was 1609 Glasgow B. Rec. I 305.
All cheis to be sald … vpone the mercat dayb. c1400 Troy-bk. i 470.
Fyre-flauthtis our the feldes flee … That men mytht see wpone the nytht Hillis and waillis fer & nere c1400 Troy-bk. ii 1959.
Gif thai come thar vpon nycht 1608 Inverurie B. Ct. 26 April.
That all hors & meiris … or wthir guidis quhatsumeuir … fund within the hanit girs or lying out wpone the nycht [etc.]c. c1400 Troy-bk. ii 89 (C).
Wpone the morow in the dawyng a1500 Rauf C. 272.
Vpon the morne airlie, quhen it was day, The king buskit him sone c1568 Lauder Minor P. i 325.
Upon the morne he wald haue maid ȝow God!d. 1576 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. I 1.
Thay allege that thay remanit thairefter vpoun xx dayis or mair a1605 Montg. Misc. P. vii 35.
Rome wes not biggit all vpon ane day 1674 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. IV 299.
[The lords] ordaines letters of horning upon 48 houres to be direct for that effecte. (1) c1595–6 Misc. Maitl. C. IV 41.
Upon his arrivall into … Kantyre 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 313.
His master burner … who uppon a sign given him would instantly set fire to the cornstacks 1689 Acts XII 55/1.
Ordered that upon the dukes giveing up the castle to the estates the intercomuneing against him … be taken away(2) 1687 Shields Hind Let Loose 147.
I doubt, if upon the back of such a lightsome day there was ever a blacker night

11. (Authority or dominion) over (someone or something). = On prep. 15. 1490 Irland Mir. III 109/21.
Becaus he disobeyit to God … he tynt the dominacioun that he had vpone his awne body 1580 Facs. Nat. MSS III lxx.
The wsurped authoritie of that Roman Antichrist wpon the scriptures of God

12. (Of expenses or expenditure) for, on behalf or account of (a person, thing or purpose). Cf. On prep. 16. 1473 Treas. Acc. I 74.
For the expensis maid vpone the artilȝery and werkmen in the tyme of this compt 1587–8 Conv. Burghs I 273.
Be the extraordinar expenssis making vpoun letteris … raisit … aganis the burrowis 1589 Conv. Burghs I 299.
Thair bestowing of the said dewtie vpoun the beitment of thair saidis dekayitt harberies 1617 Misc. Spald. C. V 96.
Charges maid … upon the intertenement of the Inglis knychtis 1671 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS (4 Feb.).
Ordaines the thesaurer … to give to him thrie rix dollores vpon charitie 1698 Penninghame Par. Rec. I 26.
Since there are other pious uses for it [sc. the money] especially the crying necessities of the poor upon which it was hitherto imployed

13. a. On the basis of; because or in consequence of. Cf. On prep. 17. b. On the model of; along the lines of. c. In terms of (a unit of measurement).a. a1500 Henr. Fab. 2.
Thocht feinȝeit fabils of ald poetre Be not al grunded vpon truth 1490 Irland Mir. III 83/38.
Jhesus said that vpon the faith that Sanct Petir and the apostlis confessit he suld big his kyrk 1558-66 Knox I 103.
[They] war send home … upoun promesse of thair fidelitie 1584 Gowrie P. 39.
I am to be accused for these things, which I rewelled upone houpe of my lyf 1593 Warrender P. (SHS) II 209.
We have made speciall choyse of yow, upon pruif had of your oft experienced fidelitye, and sound dispositioun 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. ii 131b.
They quha sets fire in oilheuchis, vpon privat revenge and despit, commits treason 1587-99 Hume 4/50.
Let nothing be done vpon ostentation 1616 Fraserburgh Kirk S. 6 June.
The sessioune … findis hir no to haw sklanderit bot vpon passioune to haw wtterit flyting wordis 1621 Acts IV 613/2.
The monyfold evillis … whiche ensew vpoun carding and dyceing 1628 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. II 325.
Upoun eminent danger of invasioun 1685 Decis. Lords F. 71.
The defender, being infeft before his father's death upon the foresaid disposition, was in fie of the saids landsb. 1562-92 Wode's Psalter (Bass) 124.
Tenoris to sing vpon: [version following]c. 1598 Reg. Privy C. V 477.
[Wool] weyed upoun the naill without the pow

14. Wpone no maner, in no way, not at all. = On prep. 20. c1400 Troy-bk. ii 161 (D).
The cause that spered besely Of thar gret noyse [etc.] … Wpone no maner mycht be thar Persewed … what that thai war

15. a. By means of. = On prep. 22 a. b. In accordance with. = On prep. 22 b.a. a1568 Gyre-carling 4.
Ane grit gyre carling … That levit vpoun Christiane menis flescheb. 1447 (1451) Reg. Great S. 106/2.
Gif it hapinnis … at the forsaide Alexander or his sonnis may nocht hald thaim upon the said malyngis, he or thai sal warn the said lady half a yer befor the terme and scho sal frely tak up hir landis in hir awyn handis

16. Upoun cace, by chance. = On prep. 23. 1535 Stewart 57464.
He askit vpoun cace, Gif ma messis wald be done in that place

17. Upon record, (that is) recorded, written down in an official record. 1666 Glasgow Chart. II 98.
It cannot be maid appeare by any evident or moniment upon record that ever [etc.]

II. Of motion or direction on or towards.

18. a. With verbs of motion or in other contexts implying motion: (Up) onto; so as to land on or fit onto. = On prep. 24, 27. b. To happen upon, to meet (by chance), to encounter. = On prep. 24 d.a. ?1438 Alex. ii 8385.
His hors he … lap vpon … full gude speid c1400 Troy-bk. ii 444 (C).
One herne … descendet … And russhand wpone the altar … The forsayd bowelles … He tok a1500 Henr. Fab. 66.
Ane cok … Fleu furth vpon ane dunghill sone be day a1500 Henr. Age & Yowth 17.
This ȝungman lap vpoun the land full lycht 1567 G. Ball. 37.
Ȝe set on schone vpone his feit a1578 Pitsc. I 312/11.
The flame of fyre … blew wpoun the freir that accussit him 1596 Dalr. I 95/12.
Thay make breid aftir casting it vpon the girdle 1603 Crim. Trials II 423.
The heid to be set vpone ane prik vpoun the stepill-heid of Peiblisb. 1586–7 Soc. Ant. IV 425.
The Lord graunt our deir maister and king to happen upon the worthiest princes … for his half marrow

19. a. (To advance, set) upon, in attack. = On prep. 28. b. (Of aiming, striking a blow, etc.) at, on, against. = On prep. 29. c. (To collide) with. d. (To be applied) to. e. Towards, in the direction of. f. To enter upon, (a person), to enter a person's dwelling without warning or invitation. g. (So as to encroach) upon (a person). h. To brek upon, to break into, begin spending (money).a. ?1438 Alex. ii 9633.
Vpon his, lordis! 1471–2 Acta Aud. 20/2.
The cummyng vpon the said Walter vnder silence of nycht 1492 Myll Spect. 281/1.
The said Paris, with all his men of armes, ischit out of thair covertis vpone thaim 1571 Bann. Trans. 135.
They … meiting with the croseguard … cryed, ‘lay upon the theives’ 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 213.
The vther with his horsmen and bowmen come vpoun thame a1578 Pitsc. I 48/28.
Schir William Ruthven seing the danger come so suddenlie upoun him was mekill abassit a1578 Pitsc. I 271/4.
The tua great battellis of Ingland come fordward wpoun the kingis battell and ioinitt awfullie 1630 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. III 620.
He, lowtting to have tane up his ruff, she … sett upon the … provestb. ?1438 Alex. i 1118.
Thai … Schot vpone him … And to dede had him doungin thus 1535 Stewart 8543.
With swordis … and speiris … Vpone the Romanis dourlie that thai dang 1535 Stewart 21662.
The lansis and grit speiris … Maid sic ane brusche vpone the bardit hors 1538 Lynd. Justing 48.
He mist the man, & dang vpon the lystis 1562 Aberd. Eccl. Rec. 6.
The servandis and childrene … to be puneist with ane palm vpone the hand for ilk falt 1622 Glasgow Weavers 68.
He … had woundit him wpon the heid with ane beime stalfe heidc. 1602 Conv. Burghs II 143.
Gif ane schip brek lows, sua that ancker or cabill beis brokin … and dryweis vpoun ane vther schip … lyand fast at ane ankerd. a1578 Pitsc. II 163/28.
[They] caussit put away … the Lordis prayer quhilk was painttit on the wallis and caist dirtt wpoun thamee. 1466 (1471) Reg. Great S. 215/1.
And quhare that north burn sekis in south upon him [etc.]f. 1558-66 Knox II 14.
One capitaine or soldiour … entered upoun a poore woman … and began to spoyleg. a1578 Pitsc. I 405/34.
The night was growand mark wpoun thame that they knew nocht quhair nor quhidder they warh. 1673 Lauder Jrnl. 269.
The nixt money I brok upon was 52 dollars … which I had receaved at sundrie tymes from severall parties

20. (Of the action of touching someone) on (part of the body). = On prep. 30. a1500 Henr. Fab. 626.
Lourence … luikit vp … And kest his hand vpon [H. upoun] his ee on hicht 15.. Clar. i 959.
He maid ane crose upon him devotlie

21. a. (To look, glance, etc.) at. = On prep. 32. b. To call or cry (out) upon, see Call v. 1 and Cry v. 6 a. = On prep. 33 a. Also to laugh upon, see also Lauch v. 2. Also to call oupon (someone) to do (something), to require (him) to do (it).a. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 144/129.
Upone the awfull thrissill scho beheld 1632 Lithgow Trav. i 38.
Arthur looked vpon me, and I laughed vpon himb. 1642 Montgomery Mem. II 294.
When ever it shall plais His Devein Majesty of his marcei to call oupon me to lay doune this tabernaikell of klay

22. a. (To beget) upon. = On prep. 34 a. b. (To marry, be married) to. = On prep. 34 b.a. c1475 Wall. i 35.
Malcom gat wpon [McD. upon] this lady brycht—Schir Malcom Wallas 1550 Glasgow Prot. I 58.
His eldest sone, gottyn upoun Malie Spettellb. 1531 Bell. Boece I 127.
The eldest of hir dochteris wes marryit apon … Marius 1531 Glasgow Dioc. Reg. I 99.
Jhon Maknayr, that mareit his dochtter vpon the said Ninian Scheile 1570 Leslie 18.
[He] maid … his brodir Erle of Murray, be mareing him upoun Janet Dunbar, heretrix thairof a1578 Pitsc. I 45 heading.
The mairiage of the fair mayden of Galloway upone gros James sone … mairiage on Guid Fryday a1578 Pitsc. I 47/22.
This James … procurit the paipis dispensatioun to marie his eldest sone wpoun his brotheris douchter

23. a. (To wait or attend) on or for. = On prep. 35. b. To call wpoun, to call for, summon. c. To put (a person) upon (doing something), to require, insist on (a person's doing it). See Put v. 29 b for further examples.a. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 149/94.
Ay still awaitting upoun kirkmenes deidis 1554–5 Edinb. Old Acc. I 148.
To twa warkmen … to await upon the wrychtis 15.. Clar. i 354.
Scho … maid them byd … Wpon hir lord the earlis hame cuming 1567 Liber Dryburgh 402.
Remanand thair sex days vpoun the answer of the samin 1568 Hosack Mary Q. of Scots I 532.
Quhen he [sc. Darnley] ingyrit him self to … attend vpoun hir [sc. Mary] according the husbandis dewtie 1572 Buch. Detect. T ij b.
He hes prayit me to remane vpoun hym quhill vther morne 1576 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. I 1.
Thay and the said schip lay xx dayis waittand vpoun thair peyment in France a1578 Pitsc. I 342/22.
King Harie … was at Ȝork remaineing vpone the King of Scotlandis cuming to him a1578 Pitsc. II 103/28.
To watch everie tyde wpoun thair landing 1596 Edinb. D. Guild Acc. 620.
For the awaiting on vpone the sclaitteris 1608 Hilderstoun Silver Mines I 83.
Inglishman wrycht his wages for fourtene dayis to mak his expensis hame efter he wes dischairgit the wark inrespect of his lang stay vpoun the wynd 1640 Montgomery Mem. 294.
To appoint … musquetiers to wait upon him for arresting the ships who will not doe dewty … his lordship sall have two keills and a wheery to wait vpon his regiment at all occasiones 1649 Kingarth Par. Rec. 18.
John Frissell, scholemaster, declared to the session that he has waited on vpon the schole this fortnight and that there came none to him but five or six bairnes, and that he would not attend longer except [etc.]b. a1578 Pitsc. I 324/12.
He [sc. the king] callit wpoun the laird of Ferne … and caussit him to gar wairne all the … tennentis … to meit himc. a1658 Durham Clavis Cantici 291.
She puts them upon it, that they might help her to obtain an answer

24. a. Indicating the person to whom or thing to which a feeling, attitude or action is directed. = On prep. 36. b. Indicating an object of thought, etc. = On prep. 36 b. c. (To depend) on. = On prep. 36 c. d. About, with regard to. = On prep. 36 e. For further examples see also Depone v. 1. e. Because of. f. (To work) at.a. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 60/16.
All luve is lost bot upone God allone 1513–14 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 11.
I man now in tyme of trubill and of the kingis les age mak fer largear cost upone the keping of the said hous 1516–7 Reg. Privy S. I 447/1.
David Hume … priour of Coldinhaim … spendand upon thaim the fructis … of the said priory 1562–3 Edinb. Old Acc. II 177.
In laboring upon durris, windokis, breddis, jiestis 1596 Dalr. I 226/7.
This king appoynted that euerie ane sulde haue his portione alllowet vpon him, hard besyd the kirke 1600-1610 Melvill 252.
The bern was sa browdin upon hir [sc. his nurse], that without danger he could nocht be speaned from hir 1644 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 30.
Be doing quhairof they wold conferr ane great favour and courtesie wpone hir 1659-60 A. Hay Diary 116.
The rest of the afternoone I spent in the fields alone upon my book 1667 Argyll-Lauderdale Lett. 71.
If I could get him to louse his purse upone my land when mony is so scarse 1671 Boharm Kirk S. 5 March.
No session the minister of Keyth having a funerall upon the minister his wyfeb. 1586 St. A. Kirk S. 577.
Sche … rememberis nocht upon his name 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 258.
Think, again, upon our gratitude and mischeant behaviourc. 1568 Misc. Bann. C. I 50.
My Lord Regent said … that he wald … depend vpoun thair counsallis allanerlie a1578 Pitsc. I 25/18.
He ordanit syndrie wickit tyrantis out of all cuntreis to depend vpon himd. 1443 (1450) Reg. Great S. 86/1.
Gilbert Menȝeis … folowit Johne of Tulch … upone a some of viij score of pundis 1444 Aberd. B. Rec. I 12.
And upon this the alderman askit instrumentis diuerse 1467 Acts II 88/2.
To avis … vppon the avale of the grot of the crovn … & to set it heare or laware 1471–2 Acta Aud. 18/1.
Becaus thar is bot a symple inquest past vppon the said landis to put the said Donald fra his possession 1520 Fife Sheriff Ct. 171.
Upone the quhilk interloquitore the said Hew Muncreif … askit ane act 1557 Ayr Chart. 44.
To hald … ane court … upone sic … complantis as salhappin to be committit 1563 Reg. Privy C. I 244.
To aggre with the maister upoun the meting 1565 Reg. Privy C. I 396.
Being inquirit upoun the said Williames answer, reportit [etc.] a1570-86 Maitland in Maitl. F. 61/13.
Fresche Maii and cauld Januarye Aggreis nocht vpone ane sang in Jwne 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 335.
[He] maid ane inventore vpoun all the geir he fand within that coffer 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 183.
That nane of thame presume to dispute vpoun the kingis auctoritie a1578 Pitsc. I 38/20.
[To] decerne wpoun this matter … ane forme and fassone to the aggrement of the present discoird a1578 Pitsc. I 169/5.
The king … was covatous wpoun money c1590 Fowler I 9 Title.
A Fvneral Sonet, written vpon the death of … Elizabeth Dovglas 1622-6 Bisset II 255/31.
To tak sic cair … in keiping of this hundreth crownis as upoun his awine. 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 279.
Letters … heasting the Master of Lovat … south uppon weighty emergentsf. 1532 Treas. Acc. VI 156.
To Johne Drummondis childer wirkand upoune the hagbute stokkis

25. a. (Of various hostile or punitive dealings or attitudes, offences, accusations or complaints directed) on or against (a person or his action). = On prep. 37. b. (As an exaction) from. c. (Having a damaging effect) on.a. 1462 Cart. S. Giles ciii.
That na neichtbour tak in hand to by the saidis victualis … to regrait and deir agane vpoun the nychtbouris 1490 Irland Mir. II 5/11.
God … causit mony hevy punycioun cum vpone the waurld c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 138.
Thocht thow, fowll trumpour, thus upoun me leid 1515 Reg. Privy S. I 410/2.
The proces of the horne led upon hym for the said actioun 1550 Grey Friars II 11.
To compeir befoir the Lordis of Counsale to heir and se letters gevin upon thame to … distrenȝie thame [etc.] 1563 Reg. Privy C. I 239.
To do justice upon thame with vigour 1563–4 Reg. Privy C. I 271.
In caise complaint beis maid … upoun his saidis kin … in that caise he sall entir the persoun or personis complenit upoun befoir the justice 1564 Reg. Privy C. I 297.
That the saidis corporall panis of impresoning, benissing, [etc.] … be execut upoun [etc.] 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 124.
In the myntyme of this preparatioun … the capitane of the castell of Dunbar … maid daylie slauchter vpoun the suddartis a1578 Pitsc. I 14/15.
Sa money complanttis was meid to the governour and magistratis vpom him 1561 Q. Kennedy Compendious Ressonyng (ed.) 182 (G).
The … vengence off God beand in radynes to be powrit vpone the inhabitantis off Jherusalem for thair abbominationes 1582 Lanark B. Rec. 89.
They … pullet out thre suordis upon me 1600 Crim. Trials II 149.
[He] lokkit the dur vpoun him 1612 Fraserburgh Kirk S. 3a (29 July).
Scho was ane comoune huir and had companyit with mony by him quhom of he gaif up thir to try hir upon 1629 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. III 20.
Panes … upoun persouns … homebringers of forbiddin and discharged coyne 1663 Sc. Ant. III 111.
A verie sinful miscarriage … viz. the ringing of a millen-budle … upon … Margaret Anderson, therby to hasten her to deathb. a1578 Pitsc. II 241/12.
Ane taxt extending to xij thowsand pound to be vpliftit vpone the thrie estaitis 1649 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 107.
That the said mantenance is alreadie drawn wpon themc. 1602 Elgin Rec. II 103.
In respect … of this lang induring droucht upone the land

III. Without the notion of position or movement.

26. Upon life, alive. = On prep. 40. Also, upon the point of the lyfe (see Lif(e n. 1 e). 1560 Rolland Seven S. 4629.
He leuis not vpon life That wald haue [etc.] 1560 Rolland Seven S. 83 (see Lif(e n. 1 c (1)(b)).

27. Upon hicht: a. On high, aloft. = Hicht n.¹ 2 b. b. Aloud, loudly. = Hicht n.¹ 9. (On prep. 41.)a. c1400 Troy-bk. i 229.
With fannys and banneres wpon hight Aboue standandb. a1500 Henr. Fab. 2238.
The caller cryit, ‘How! Haik!’ vpon hicht

28. a. Of membership of or accession on to (a special grouping or body). = On prep. 43. b. Aware of, party to (knowledge, etc.).a. 1596 Dalr. II 328/25.
The gouernour and sum of the special nobilitie vpon a counsell ar called a1605 Birrel Diary 49.
Her nurische being also upone the conspiracy 1613 Glasgow Weavers 15.
Thrie of the four upone lyt to be deikin … sall stand still maisteris for that yeir 1650 Kingarth Par. Rec. 23.
Vpon the lites the said John Hyndman 1656 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. III 63.
That no shirreffs officiar … tak benifit … from any person sumondit upon ane assyse 1664 Rec. Old Aberd. I 329.
[Two persons] to continewe for this present yeir and to go on wpoune leit for the ensuing yeir at ther ellectioneb. 1625 State P. (Reg. H.) No. 123.
Gif they war all vpoun the knawledge thairof … and ilkane of them confessit that they wer all vpoun the consall and knawledge of the breking of the said javel c1650 Spalding I 19.
Frendracht, his ladie [etc.] … ane or vther wes vpone the knowledge

29. In various collocations with tak and/or hand. a. To tak upon (oneself) to do (something), see Ta(k v.¹ 8 b. b. To tak upon hand, see Ta(k v.¹ 48. c. To tak (something) upon one, see Ta(k v.¹ 47. d. To be upon the growing, etc. hand. = Hand n. 5 b. e. Upon (one's) hand, in one's possession. = 2 above.b. 1507 Exch. R. XIII 597.
That nane of yow tak uppoune hand to do incontrari thairofd. a1658 Durham Comm. Rev. 219.
Being unacquainted with through convictions, and with any apprehension of declining, or falling from the good which he had, he doth apprehend himself to be upon the growing hand a1658 Durham Comm. Rev. 219.
He supposeth himself to be, in all respects, upon the thriving hande. 1650 Kingarth Par. Rec. 22.
Wee receaued no count of the contributioune that was vpon his hand

30. (To accept a charge or undertaking) upon (one). = On prep. 44 a. 1600 Cranna Fraserburgh 204.
Quhilk burdein the said Mr. Charles refuses to accept vpon him 1645 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 56.
The said James Adam compeirand in counsall, acceptit the said office vpoun him

31. a. Upon one's (awin, etc.) cost or expens, = On prep. 44 e. b. At (a given price). c. On (a person or thing) as a surety or guarantee. d. (To live, eat, drink) on or of (something) as sustenance. e. (To invest) upon (land), see Lay v. 26 e.a. 1447 (1451) Reg. Great S. 106/2.
And it be nocht redily payt, hir man sal ly upon the cost of the said Alexander … ay to the saide malis … be fully pait 1563 Reg. Privy C. I 239.
To commande thame to warde, to remane thairin upon thair awne expense 1581 Glasgow Burgesses 10.
For making of the jug met of bras, pynt and chopin, vpoune his awin expenssis 1674 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. IV 278.
The minister … abyding in a mudwall rowme not belonging to the manse, bot built upon his owne coastb. 1555–6 Edinb. B. Rec. II 230.
Vpone quhat prices the malt salbe sauld 1631 Monteith Stewartry Ct. 31 March.
Vpoun sic pryces as maill is sauld in the mercatt in Striuiling 1645 Glasgow B. Rec. II 77.
The haill inhabitants … being forcit to buy ther nails, locks and bands … vpon double pryce 1661 Soc. Ant. XXII 261.
She offering to buy ane cow … he refusing to sell her upone the pryce she offered himc. 1572 Canongate Ct. Bk. 398.
The sowme of vij^s iiii^d borrowit be hir fra thame upoun the said covering 1676 Dumfr. & Galloway Soc. XXXVIII 161.
To drau any bill wpon me to be answered to your brother in lau or any other friend at Edinburghd. 1607 Aberd. Eccl. Rec. 57.
To be incarcerat in the kirk wault for the space of aucht dayes, vpon bread and water 1639 Jervise Memor. Angus & Mearns I 161.
[Thay] drank mirrellie upon the laird's best drink 1643 Banff Ann. I 89.
[Persons] quho … live … leudlie and levishlie vpone vther menis guidis

32. Of cumulative addition or repetition. See also Hepe v. 1 (2) for a further example. 1611-57 Mure Early Misc. P. xxi 58.
From thousand plots … prepair'd By these who horror vpon horror heap'd

33. (To speak) in (a particular language). c1650 Spalding I 54.
He speikis vpone Latein to Leonard Leslie

34. a. To lay blame upon, to attribute blame to. See Lay v. 18 for further examples. b. To lay weight upon, to take seriously, attribute importance to.a. 1688 Shields Heads of a Preface and of a Lecture Preached in Gaastown 18.
The ministers … will lay the blame upon the peopleb. 1679 J. Carstairs in McCrie Mem. Veitch 500.
Which I find even sober persons not lay much weight upon

B. adv. Thereupon, thereafter. = Thar(e)apon(e adv. 3. c1475 Wall. xi 1020.
On fute he gat the feill traytouris amang Grippyt about bot na wapyn he fand. Apon a syll he saw besyd him stand. The bak off ane he byrstyt … And off ane othir the harnes out he dang