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

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
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Writ(e, Wryt(e, Wret, v. Also: writt(e, vrit, wright, ritt, wrytt(e, vryt, wryit, wrycht, wryght, wrett(e, vret(t, wreit(t, vreit(t, ureit, wreyt, wreat(t)(e, reatt, wreet, ureet, wriet, wrait(e, wrayt(t, vrayt, weryt, -eatt, worit(t)e. P.t. wrat(e, vrat, wrait(e, wraitt, wrayt(t, wrayt(e, wratte, wre(i)t(t, vreit, vrett, wreyt, wreat, wreott, write, vrit, wryt, wrot(t)(e, wroit, worott, wart. P.p. writ(t)-, vrit(t)-, wryt(t)-, vryt(t)-, wryght, wret(t)-, vret(t)-, uret(t)-, wreit(t)-, wreat(t)-, wreyt(t)-, wriett-, wraitt-, vrayt-, wrott- and -in(e, -ing, -yn(e, -ynne, -yng, -en(e, -n(e, -an, urittinn, writhin, writ(e, writt, wryte, wreyt, wreat(e, wrot(e, wrott, wirtin, -yn(e, virtyne, wirttyn, wirrityn, wyrtyn(e, -ing, vyrtyn, wyrttyn, wyrittyn, wertyn, werit. [ME and e.m.E. write(n (c1175), writ(te (both Cursor M.), wreyte(n (Chaucer), wrytyn (Prompt. Parv.), wrytt (1480), wrete (a1547), wright (1673); p.t. wrate (c1175), wrot (c1200), wrat(te (both Cursor M.), wrote (Manning), writ (c1400), write (c1454), wryt (1479), ritt (1666); p.p. iwrite(n (both c1175), iwrete (c1275), written (Cursor M.), wreten (Trevisa), wyrtyn (a1400), writte (1422), wrytyn (a1447), wryt (1457), wirten (1517), wrote (1565), wrotte (c1572), OE wrítan, ON ríta.]There is considerable ambiguity or overlap between the senses.

I. tr.1. To form (letters, etc.). a. To mark or inscribe (a motto, etc.) on stone, metal, etc. b. To write (a word or phrase) on paper. c. To write or mark (a letter or character).a. 1375 Barb. x 746, 748 (C).
Sanct Mergaret … in stede of prophesye … left ane takyne … that scho in hir chapell Gert weill be portrait ane castell A leddir wp to the wall standand And a man thar-on clymande And wrat owth [E. And a wrat] him … In Franch ‘Gardis wous de Francois’ And for this word scho gert vrit swa Men wend the Franch-men suld it ta Bot [for] Francois hattyn wes he That swa clam wp c1420 Wynt. i 240.
He gert twa pillars … be made Off tylde … wes the tane The tothir … of marbyll stane … And in tha twa he gart … All the art of musyke wryte [E. write] c1420 Wynt. iv 2582 (W).
A denere … Haiffand the emperouris dyademe In it and … All about it the circumscriptioun, Writtin a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 604.
He maid ane tomb of merbell … And wrait hir name … on hir graue … In goldin letteris 1535 Stewart 48823.
He … wrait vpoun the wall ‘Arthuris hufe’ c1550 Lynd. Test. Meldrum 198.
I pray ȝow tak the pane My epitaphe to writ … Abone my graue in goldin letteris fyne 1551 Hamilton Cat. 28.
The law of Moyses written with his awne fingar … in twa tables of stayne 1560 Rolland Seven S. 4990.
Ane image … In quhais foirheid was writin with letters fine ‘Quha strykis me doun [etc.]’b. c1450-2 Howlat 400 (A).
On ilk beugh … Writtin in a bill was O Dowglas, o Dowglas 1480 Peebles B. Rec. I 187.
To gar wryt in the kalandar of the mes buk the day and the anniuersar 1549 Compl. 16/27.
Ane … that vrit in his verkis, gaudet honorificabilitudinitatibus 1648 Culross Kirk S. Rec. in Sc. Ant. IV 27.
A paper hat on her head and her filthie falt wreatten theronc. a1400 Leg. S. xliii 111.
A buke … Vith goldine lettris wrytine brad c1420 Wynt. ii 156.
In tyll hys tym he fand of newe To wryt lettyrys off Hebrewe c1420 Wynt. iv 2340.
The fyrst lettyr off his state That men apon his ymage wrate, … C, that lettyre capytalle [etc.]

2. a. To draw up or engross (a legal document, account, table, etc.). b. To endorse (a document) causing it to pass into law or take effect. Some examples in a may possibly belong here.There may be ambiguity with sense 4.pres. c1475 Wall. i 335.
Schyr Ranald had the Perseys protectioune, As for all part to tak the remissioune. He gert wrytt ane till his systir that tyde 1532 Facs. Nat. MSS III xx.
That euerilk clerk of the signet that writtis ony billis mark the samyn with his awin name 1554 Peebles B. Rec. I 411.
For paper and ink to wreat your compts with 1560 Edinb. Old Acc. III 93.
To ane papir buk to vreit my compt in 1593 Breadalbane Lett. (Reg. H.) 22 Dec.
I pray ȝow be diligent for hauing the hail vrettis & giue Gawin thes leist ony of the lairdis caus vrett thame ouer againe 1610 Sc. N. & Q. 1 Ser. V 181.
For thrie quair of pepir to wreitt the rollis befoir the communion 10 s.p.t. 1412 Buccleuch Mun. II 22.
In witnes of the whilkis this presentis lettres we wrate with our propre hande c1420 Wynt. iv 6.
That … was thar date In all the chartrys that thai wrate c1420 Wynt. v 4718.
This clerk … wrate hys obligatyowne, And selyd it wyth hys awyne hand a1500 Henr. Fab. 1239.
Lowrence the actis and the proces wrait 1491 Treas. Acc. I 180.
Til a prest that wrayt the instrumentis 1535 Stewart 30841.
In Latyng letteris and in dowbill forme Tha wrait it, syne subscriuit with thair hand … Quhilk band and leig [etc.] 1626 Linlithgow B. Rec. 18 Aug.
His eldest soune quha wreott his wmquhile fatheris comptisp.p. 1375 Barb. i 512.
Writyn war Thair endenturis, and aythis maid 1459–60 Montrose Baillie Ct. 12a (26 Jan.).
Contenyt in a bill wrytyn with S. W. Clerc 1492 Reg. Episc. Morav. 245.
Wrettin day and plac forsad 1496 Acta Conc. II 19.
The sade assignacione was datit in the moneth of March, notwithstanding that it was made and writin lang tyme thareefter 1576 Rec. Earld. Orkney 139.
Wretin be me … clerk for the tyme, at the command of the assese 1579 Inverness Rec. I 269.
Wreittin and subscrivit be him noter forsaid 1582 Misc. Stair Soc. I 110.
Quhair it is allegit the instrument to be newlie wrettin or the body to be newar nor the subscriptione or signis [etc.] 1584 Cal. Sc. P. VII 104.
In the mean tyme was I assyted be a privat comissione procured be my adversarie vretin be his ouin hand 1597 Bk. Rates 14.
That na custumer within onie burgh allow … ony cocquet except thay be wretin … in maner foirsaid 1604 Acts Sederunt ii 37.
The three ordiner clerkis be thair courses sall serve in the utter-hous and sall caus the minuttis be weill and distinctlie wreittin be thameselfis or thair servands 1612 Cochran-Patrick Coinage I 222.
For … gold thay sall ressaue … the iust valour according to ane A. B. C. quhilk salbe wreatin in a table 1621 Acts IV 621/1.
For … ane lybellit summondis not exceding halff a scheite of paper compactlie wreatin, ij s. 1622-6 Bisset II 320/1.
I have wreittin this cattaloge following or computatioun of these tymes that ȝe may knaw thairby in quhat paipis tyme … thay gave confirmatioun of thair richtis tytillis [etc.] 1643 Grant Chart. 236.
Wreattin be Johne Donaldsone, notar publick 1672 Acts VIII 87/1.
Where summons are blanke in any pairt therof, that the same be onlie payed for according to the sheits which are written and filled vp 1678 Douglas Bequest II 15 March.
Uretten(b) 1595 Innes Sketches 534.
He presenttit befoir us this his declaratioun chargein us to testefie the same to be his wrietten and subscriuit with his hand … we causit him wreit and subscriue the same our again with his awin hand for our better warrand and therfoir dois testefie that this is his awin confessioune wreittin and subscriuit be himselfb. 1592 Acts III 569/2.
Siclik that the kepair of the signet sall write on the bak of the signatur [etc.] … and the wreittar kepair of the privie seill sall write lykwayis … the day that he wreittis and passis the same the privie seill quhilkis warrandis sua markit salbe [etc.]

3. To put (one's wishes, news, etc.) into writing for the purpose of communicating (with (un)to) another).Also with indirect object. Also, once, where the indirect object has been taken as a direct object and made the subject of a passive sentence.Also const. backe, over.(1) pres. 1548 Corr. M. Lorraine 281.
Quhat your grace list command, wryt and it sall be doun, well God 1560 Rolland Seven S. 8209.
Scho … Prayit me to write my minde 1558-66 Knox II 319.
We call hir nott a hoore, (albeit hir deame heard more then we will wrytt) 1583 Reg. Morton I 137.
As for nevis I can vreit nen c1625 Fam. Innes 213.
He has saued me the labour of wraytting newes 1645 Misc. Hist. Soc. I 132.
[Ask her] to wryte that hir self … is weill 1654 Blairs P. 94.
Wreatte 1681 Red Bk. Menteith II 192.
You ar pleas'd to wreet that [etc.] 1695 Edinb. B. Rec. XII 168.
His Majestie ordered us to wrette that he tooke the expressions of your concerne … very kyndly(b) 1663 Red Bk. Menteith II 168.
Reattp.t. c1475 Wall. x 1050.
Out off But thai maid a ballingar To gud Wallace, tald him thair turment haill Than wrait thai thus to get Bwte off thair baill; ‘Our help, our heill [etc.]’ 1567 Sel. MSS Q. Mary 171.
We wrait sumthing of our mynd heranent [etc.] 1607 Highland P. III 105.
Quhat I vrett anentt Archibald, your grace will hald it quyett till your grace cum hame 1608 Crim. Trials II 273.
To the which letter Restalrig wrate an answer 1620 Sc. Ant. I 93.
I wrait in my last my opinion conserning [etc.] 1660 Aberd. Council Lett. IV 41.
I wreyt laitlie with post that I had receaved your commissione 1662 Red Bk. Menteith II 166.
My man Ronnald wryt something to me concerneing the rent of Droumondp.p. 1533 Douglas Corr. 141.
Thar is no owder newes … or els I sowld haff wryten sik is I hawd knawen(2) pres. a1400 Leg. S. xi 56.
Anence that thu writtis me now, That I suld sped me sone thé til 1560 Rolland Seven S. 1148.
I wald ȝe did indyte Vpon paper, and ȝour minde to me wryte 1564 Reg. Privy C. XIV 201.
We ar movit … to wrait this present unto you 1630 Misc. Hist. Soc. II 264.
Ye sall advertice me … of sum man that … will promise to wret occurantis to me(b) 1585–6 Waus Corr. 345.
Quhair ye wrycht to me that ye haif gottin [etc.]p.t. 1375 Barb. i 148.
Till Scotland word send he That [etc.] … And … suld … do … as thai wrayt him to 1375 Barb. ii 456.
To the king off Ingland … Thai wrate haly as thai haid done, And he wes blyth off that tithing c1420 Wynt. iv 876 (W).
He wrait his entent … To the amerwaill c1420 Wynt. viii 276.
To the … lordis … the cas all thus wrat he 1515 Douglas Corr. 69.
Remember my salve conduct and sped the sammyne to me as I wrayt to ȝow latly(b) 1572 Bann. Memor. 280.
Athole wroit to my lord Lindsay, that [etc.]p.p. 1525 Douglas Corr. 98.
[They] are gretly displesyt and hes writtan the sam to the quenys grace in the scharpest maner 1658 Blairs P. 91.
Nor wald I haue send him if your Rns. had not wreting to me in yours of the 23 of Jully thes words 1660 Aberd. Council Lett. IV 41.
It is wrettin to William Thomsone to come home befoir the parliament 1668 Laing MSS 368.
The Earl Hoome hes wrott noe excuse to the Councel(3) c1685 Cromartie Corr. 41.
The rest benorth were … writt to rendevouz at Lochness(4) 1690 Cramond Kirk S. III 30 Oct.
To writt backe ane answer to Ireland 1691 Cramond Kirk S. III 5 March.
They therefore desired the presbitry might either stopp the said Mr. John Hamilton his goeing … or [etc.] … . Upon which the presbitry had appointed Mr. John Law Moderator and Mr. Gilbert Rule (in roome of the clerk) to … writt over a letter to the presbitry of Doun, desireing they might free the said Mr. John Hamilton [etc.]

4. specif.To communicate by means of a letter, missive, note, etc.; to compose or copy out such a letter on behalf of another. (See also Letter n. 5, 6, 7, Missive n. 1, 2, 4, Line n.¹ 10 b-d, Note n.² 7, 8, 11, Writin(g vbl. n. 6, 7.) b. In the conclusion of a formal letter.(1) pres. 1493 Acta Aud. 180/1.
The lordis … consalis the kingis hienes to writte his effectuis lettrez to the juge ordiner 1544 Corr. M. Lorraine 110.
Yowr grace … man wret awtentyk letteris to all the nobyll men [etc.] c1650 Spalding I 273.
Thay receavit and red thir letteris, bot wold wreit none bak aganep.t. c1450-2 Howlat 287 (A).
The trewe turtour … Wrait thir letteris 1489 Treas. Acc. I 123.
To the clerkkis that wrayt al thir letteres 1499–1500 Acta Conc. II 397.
[The Lords assign to her 3rd July next] til produce the writare that wrat the sade letter 1549 Compl. 116/12.
He vreit ane lettir to the kyng of Meid, as eftir follouis 1571 Misc. Bann. C. III 123.
As is continit in … the letter quhilk I wreit to him 1651 Lamont Diary 29.
They wratte a letterp.p. 1375 Barb. xvii 45 (E, MS).
Lettrys till him he send … Quhen the marchell the lettre saw He wmbethocht him … Ane other [marg. letter] suld writyn [C. wrethit] be 1497 Acta Conc. II 74.
That letters be writin to call the clerc … to ansuere 1545 Douglas Corr. 154.
Vrytting c1596 Milne-Home MSS 63.
Wreyttin 1643 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 9.
Ordanes … letteris to be wreitin to the provest 1676 Meikle Old Session Bk. 108.
Ane letter to be wreat back to the north concerning James T.(b) 1471–2 Acta Aud. 21/2.
At lettres be wirtin to the alderman & balȝeis c1510 James IV in Facs. Nat. MSS III ix.
We haue ressauit your lovyng lettiris wirtyn with yowr hand(2) 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 815.
How Aconius till Cydippe … Wrait his complaint … with vther lustie missiues 1563 Cal. Sc. P. II 16.
I thocht necessair to vret this missive only to certify you that [etc.] 1612 Misc. Maitl. C. III 113.
The counsall wrait missiues to the nobilmen and prelatisfig. a1568 Scott ix 17.
It is the hairt to quhome ȝe wret The misseif(3) a1400 Leg. S. xi 121.
The epystil … That Criste to Agabarus wrat Quhare-in [etc.] c1575 Waus Corr. 107.
It is forby the fyrst vrittin ye vrit to me a1578 Pitsc. I 264 heading.
Hou the King of Ingland wreitt ane commissioun to the Erle of Surrie 1609 Crim. Trials III 17.
I have now wrotten thir few lynes, praying your lordschip to remember me 1664 Carstairs Lett. 109.
I have wreaten ane other lyne to the Lord Chancellor(b) c1623 Lett. & St. P. Jas. VI 352.
I ritt thys nott off any misdout I haue off hys maiestie faueur to meb. 1432–3 Aberd. B. Rec. I 390.
Vrittin under our seignet, at Striuelyn 1612 Fam. Rose 306.
Thir presentis, ureten be Alexander Ros … at Kilrawok … befor thir witness Jhone Ros [etc.] … and Alexander Ros wreter heirof(b) c1405 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 59.
Wyrtyn at Eddynburghe vnder my selle the xxvi day of Julij 1447 Newbattle Coll. (Somerville) (Reg. H.).
Wyrttyn … the ten day of the moneth of September

5. To set down in one's own words. a. To chronicle, recount, describe or record (events, real or imagined, thoughts, beliefs, etc.). b. To compose, put in writing (something written, a book, treatise or other text providing a commentary on or composition deriving from events, etc.).The distinction is not always clear in individual examples.a. pres. a1400 Leg. S. Prol. 28.
Thare-fore in lytil space here I wryt the lyf of sanctis sere c1420 Wynt. ii 1060 (C).
Othir fenȝheide fabillis … I wil forber to wryt [W. writt] c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 12.
The erd sould trymbill … To heir quhat I suld wryt with pen and ynk 1533 Gau 4/12.
Thay … maid innumerabil pouers … and laid to siclik orisons the quhilk ver lang to vrit heir 1559 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I 297.
The pattren of fowsis and dykis I have fondit … I will nocht writ a1578 Pitsc. I 127/13.
Siclyk [deceissit] Alexander Lyndsay … [and] money wthers nobillis and gentillmen quhose nameis ar irksum to wryt 1617 Lett. & St. P. Jas. VI 313.
It wear vnsemlye to wright every thing … hee dyd 1694 Annandale Corr. 81.
The wel wischers in Scotlant I thinck should weryt theer opinions plainly(b) 1460 Hay Alex. 6031.
Suppois I tell nocht all the dedis here Quhilk wther buikis in thare ditis recordis … Suppois I wrett nocht all thing that I se 1600 Hamilton Facile Tr. 72 (see p.t.below).
Wret 1607 Misc. Abbotsf. C. 72.
Imperius Prince … Thy pitie I's proclaim … Thy wordines I's pain my pen to wreatt(c) 1580 Cath. Tr. 68/6.
That quhilk Jhone Caluin wraites in the fourt buik of his Institutiones quhair in maist expres wordes he testifies that [etc.]p.t. a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 64.
Quha wait gif all that Chauceir wrait was trew? a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 691 (Asl.).
Thair syngis … the quhilkis sanct Jerome wraite In Jowis bukis 1531 Bell. Boece I 83.
The historicianis that wrait thair weris maid na mentioun of Arthure 1546 Lynd. Trag. Card. 122.
Ane paper blank his grace I gart subscryue In to the quhilk I wrait all that I plesit(b) 1600 Hamilton Facile Tr. 72.
The doctrine of Christ … whilk He nather wret Him self, nor gaue charge to His Apostles to wret itp.p. 1375 Barb. ix 661.
Mony fayr poynt … The quhilk that ar nocht writyn her 1456 Hay I 290/13.
The caus quhy he suld duell bot a nycht in Rome is nocht wrytin in the lawis(b) c1420 Wynt. viii 434.
That custwme off that rewme beforne Suld be preferryd and haldyn ay Agayne all that the lauch may say For that custwme al by drawys That ar wryttyne in till the lawys ?1544 Bk. Carlaverock II 30.
Hony hother thyng that I hayff wryttyng or said I am redey to fullfeyll(c) 1588 King Cat. 58.
Christ … taucht mony things, quhilk … albeit thay be nocht wrettin [etc.]b. pres. a1400 Leg. S. v 525.
Quhene he suld the ewangel wryte a1500 Lanc. 140.
Thi plant schall yhov vrit … In metir c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 141/23.
In my honour sum thing thow go wryt 1513 Doug. vi Prol. 59.
Virgil writis mony iust claus conding 1562-3 Winȝet I 25/11.
Began I almaist for pastyme … to writ this declamation a1578 Pitsc. I 260/30.
The author of this that caussit me to wryte the maner of the sowmondis 1581 Hamilton Cath. Tr. in Cath. Tr. (STS) 82/2.
I haif tane on hand to vryt this litill treatise 1599 Acts IV 187/1.
To write … ony maner of buik, libell defamatoir, invectiue [etc.](b) c1552 Lynd. Mon. 257.
That … He me inspyre To wrytt no thyng contrarye His disyre 1622-6 Bisset II 185/4.
Johnne Fokis that writtis the Buik of Marteris 1689 Cramond Kirk S. III 6 Dec.
The people did … cause writt a call for the said John Hamilton, desireing him to be their minister(c) 1460 Hay Alex. 19302.
My … excusatioun, The quhilk I will agane eftir rehears And with my awin hand wreittis in this vers: How I prayit all that sould the readeris be For thair gentrice 1573 Cath. Tr. 11/8.
I haif thocht … to wreit this writing amanges the rest 1609 Garden Garden 75.
Nor Maroes muse wold an more cunning craue To wreit his want … T'ingraph each greife [etc.](d) 1600-1610 Melvill 48.
Mr. George Bowchanan, then entering to wrait the storie of his countreyp.t. a1400 Leg. S. xv 114.
Vrat c1420 Wynt. ii 158.
The bokis that Enok wrate Drownyt all in Noeys spate c1420 Wynt. viii 401 h. of ch.
How the counsalle of Frawnce wrate Thare delyverance off that debate 1638 Henderson Serm. 303.
This man who wrate this psalm(b) c1420 Wynt. i 273 (E²).
Wrayte 1497 Treas. Acc. I 339.
Gevin to Stobo that tyme he wrait mony proclamationis, xviij s. 1513 Doug. Transl. 14.
Set I feil syth syk twa monethis infeir Wrait neuir a word(c) 1535 Stewart 82.
Syne efterwart, quhen that tha wreit the storie, Ald eldaris deidis to put into memorie a1578 Pitsc. I lxxxi.
To the rider prayand him to be circvmspect and expert in reiding becaus he is bot ane ȝovng scholiar that wreitt it a1585 Polwart Flyt. 645 (T).
Witnes sum vers he wreit [H. wreat] 1635 Lundie Poems 13.
The reason quherfor I vreit and sent thes lyns to the provest: My lord votchaff my muse [etc.](d) 1507 Sc. Ant. XV 141.
I wrott the bursairis theame ?c1675 J. Gordon Hist. I 60.
Dr. Walter Balcanqwell, who with the king's owne particular oversight worott that bookep.p. 1531 Bell. Boece (M) II 247.
Quhen he had writin the ressonis and iuris of baith the partijs(b) 1533 Boece Proh. 7a.
His lawde and honoure … sall … be the posterite be writtin(c) 1573 Knox VI 476.
They [sc. books] were others wryghten by Tirye(d) 1460 Hay Alex. 19314.
Ȝe sall sie Quha causit this buike agane to wreittin be 1567 Nugae Scoticae 15.
That infamous libell so malitiouslie wreatten 1630-1651 Gordon Geneal. Hist. 176.
A manuscript wreyten by Mr. John Colvin 1639 Baillie I 238.
This relation which I have wreitten 1646 Ayr Presb. in Scott Fasti (1868) III 128.
An quair of paper … wherin his preachings were wreatten(e) 1600-1610 Melvill 367.
I have wraitten a speciall treatise thairof(f) 1614 Crim. Trials III 305.
This memoriall wes wrotten by my lordes own dyteing(g) 1695 Glasg. Univ. Mun. II 530.
We cannot think on any one wholl course of philosophy wryte by any one man

In senses a or b above. c. With adv. or prep. phrase indicating the manner of writing, esp. the language or form in which something is written. d. With clause object. e. p.p.In comb. with abufe, before, etc., see Abone-writtin p.p., Aboun-writtin p.p., Abovin adv. b, Abufe-writtin p.p., Afore adv. 2, Before-writtin p.p., Fore-writin(e p.p., ppl. adj., Underwrittin p.p., Within adv. 4 for examples. f. Lang writtyn in full, unabbreviated. Cf. S(c)hort-writing vbl. n.c. (1) c1475 Wall. vii 109.
In iij partis the buk weill writyn was(2) c1490 Irland Asl. MS 9/32.
The … helping of personis of feble knawlege inducis me to wryte in our tung a table of confessioun c1515 Asl. MS I 326/19.
Matheu … wrait his gospellis … in Ebrewe 1568 Skeyne Descr. Pest 3.
It became me … to had vrytin the same in Latine 1591 Aberd. B. Rec. I viii.
Scrowis on parchment contening sum courtis of the burght of Abirdene writin in Latyne all 1596 Dalr. I 119/25.
The title of the law buke writne in Latine … Regiam Maiestatem 1596 Dalr. II 53/30.
The actes notable of our last kings, writne in our awne langwage(3) a1500 Henr. Fab. 59 (Bann.).
Ysop … In gay metir facound and purperat, Be fegour wret his buk 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 876.
To write thair worschip, victorie and prowes In kinglie stiled. pres. a1400 Leg. S. i 229.
Als writtis Sanct Ambros, … 'I ame [etc.]' c1450-2 Howlat 429 (A).
I wryt as I wait ?a1500 Steel Roy Robert 47.
Quhair thow wrytis and schawis till ws … That [etc.] 1542 15th Rep. Hist. MSS App. ix 44.
The king writes, ‘We mon [etc.]’ c1552 Lynd. Mon. 4082.
Josephus wryttith, in his buke … Duryng that creuell sege … Wer alewin hundreth thowsand slane 1585 Waus Corr. 328.
The mater is meir to my hender nor I can wrettp.t. 1375 Barb. i 525.
Then slayn wes mony thowsand … As Dares in his buk he wrate a1400 Leg. S. xxiv 339.
Askyt he … Pene, ink and parchemyne & … syne Wrat quhou [etc.]p.p. a1400 Leg. S. xi 51.
Wrytine c1420 Wynt. ii 225.
As in the Bybyll wryttyn [W. writtin] is c1420 Wynt. vii 2172.
To wryt as wryttyne [C. writtyn] befor me was In till bukis 1531 Bell. Boece I 38.
Maynus deceissit as we have writting 1549 Compl. 7/35.
Vrytin 1562-3 Winȝet I 76/23.
Writtin [MS wretting] 1642 Kinghorn Kirk S. 52.
After … things past as formerlie wreattin(b) 1492 Myll Spect. 280/1.
As it is wyrtyn in the secund buk of Kingise. (1) 1385 Red Bk. Menteith II 262.
Before wrytyn 1428 Liber Aberbr. II 59.
Forvritin 1457 Acts II 49/1.
Writyne 1522 Fife Sheriff Ct. 266.
Forewritine(b) 1399 Melville Chart. 15.
Forwretyne 1429 15th Rep. Hist. MSS App. viii 10.
Wretyn 1457 Peebles B. Rec. I 120.
Wretyng(c) 1415 Lennox Mun. 61.
Virtyne 1415–16 (1430) Reg. Great S. 39/1.
Wyrtyn 1423 (1431) Reg. Great S. 45/2.
Wyrtyne 1447 Newbattle Coll. (Somerville) (Reg. H.).
Wyrittyn 1447 (1449–50) Reg. Great S. 69/1.
Wirtin 1467 Ayr B. Ct. 16 Nov.
Wirttyn 1473 Reg. Cupar A. I 164.
Wirtyn(d) 1474 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 449.
Wertyn(2) 1478 Oliphants 21.
Abufe writhin 1493 Maxwell Mem. 204.
Wrytyne 1514 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 151.
Written 1524 Dumbarton B. Rec. App. ii 4.
Vrityne 1529 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 98.
Wryttin 1529 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 99.
Writing 1551 Grant Chart. 105.
Wrytting 1553 Carte Northberwic 67.
Vrittyng 1566 Hay Fleming Q. Mary 500.
Wretine 1566 Facs. Nat. MSS III li.
Vretine 1584 Lennox Mun. 354.
Urittinn 1586 Grant Chart. 164.
Writtine 1681 Irvine Mun. II 294.
Writn 1697 Dundee B. Laws 561.
Writen(b) 1445 Melville Chart. 31.
Above wirtyne 1456 Wemyss Chart. 74.
Vyrtyn 1531 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I 56.
Wyrting(3) 1464 Southesk MSS 8.
Vndervryttyn 1467 Reg. Dunferm. 358.
Vrityn 1483 Reg. Episc. Brechin. I 206.
Wndir-writ 1535 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 150.
Vryttin 1539 Glasgow Prot. IV 117.
Writyng 1539 Grey Friars II 3.
Vrytyng 1539 Chart. Coupar A. II 146.
Wirrityn 1656 Misc. Spald. C. V 231.
Wndirvrittin 1657 Perth Hammermen 105.
Wreatine 1665 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. II 48.
Wrytten 1680 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS 3 Nov.
Vrittenef. 1429–30 Acts II 17/2.
That … nane excepcione avalȝe agayn the kingis breifis quhether thai be lang writtyn [Ayr B. Ct. 85a, wyrtyne] or schorte swa that thai halde the forme of the brief statute in the law

6. a. To record, catalogue, list formally (names, etc.). b. To assign (a person) to an office or duty. c. To enroll or enlist (soldiers). d. To designate (oneself) as something.a. a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 489.
Ilk knyght his cunysance kithit full cleir Thair names writtin all thare Quhat berne that it bare That ilk freke … Might wit quhat he weir ?c1500 Rathen Manual 28/2.
Cursit be thai … and thair namys be tanne out of the buke of lyff and neuer to be vritynne amangis rychtwis men 1506 Orkney & Shetl. Rec. I 247.
My geir bayth vrettin and onevrettin 1533 Bell. Livy II 83/13.
Thai fand thare names writtin [B. vriting] in the bukis namit Linthei 1602 Monkland Baron Ct. 4.
That thair names may be writtin … for how mony darkis that thai dob. 1491 Cart. S. Nich. Aberd. I 255.
That ilkane chaplane beinge in office and writin thairto … als oft as he falȝes in execution of his office [etc.] … that ilkane chaplane writin to the haly blude mes, mes in Lentryne or vther mes … falȝeande in the doinge of thame [etc.]c. 1533 Bell. Livy I 70/15.
He chesit out ten turmys of horsmen … and supportit the auld legiouns of Romanis be the said nowmer, and wrate [L. scripsit] new nowmer in the samyn gysed. 1533 Bell. Livy II 81/3.
Cornelius Cossus … tuke litil fere how beit he war honorit with wrangwis stile and tharefore wrate [L. scripserit] him self consul

7. a. To write out, transcribe, copy (text, etc.). Also const. over (again). b. To write in a particular fashion, spell (words). c. To write laws with blood, to legislate with draconian severity. d. To write in a particular style of handwriting.a. (1) c1420 Ratis R. 733.
The commandmentis ten, That God wrait with His awn hand 1502 Treas. Acc. II 39 (see Portu(o)us n. 1 (c)). 1533 Gau 7/3.
The x commandis suld first be vritine and sine schauine and prechit to the pepil 1540 Acts II 359/2.
[Persons admitted as notaries to] writt thar subscriptioun and signis manuale in the said buk siclik as thai subscriue all instrumentis 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 8.
The regent sal cause thayme to writ two or thre lynis of Terence 1570 Sat. P. x 56.
Tak pen, ink, paper and wryte As we … sall indyte 1573–4 Bk. Univ. Kirk I 289.
Saying he could not produce his Ineptias, and that he had written but one copy 1584 Gowrie P. 31.
Thoughe you be under the bondage and yoke of the court, wright my answers attendickly 1587 Cal. Sc. P. IX 531.
The Lord Thesaurer calling for ink and paiper writ his name to try him 1594 Thanes of Cawdor 211.
Be thir presenttis … Dyittit, wreittin and subscriuit with my hand 1601 Mackie Denmilne MSS 43.
Ȝour chiffred letter man be all wretin but ony distinctioun, ather of wordis or periodes 1619 Sel. Biog. I 82.
A protestation wryten be Mr. Patrick Simson's hand and dyted by him 1659 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 181.
There sall be ane register appointit … to be keepit by the master of the gramar scool, wherin sall be wretin the lawes of the scool printit about the yeir 1636(2) c1610 Melville Mem. 297.
His maieste commandit me to minut ane answer in his hyenes name, that he mycht wret it ouer again with his awen hand, samekle of it as he suld find meit c1646 Craufurd Edinb. Univ. 22.
In presence of the attending maisters, turne it in Latine, and writ it over in a faire handb. 1513 Doug. i Prol. 223.
This Caxtoun, … bot he had beyn mad The flude of Touyr for Tibir he had nocht write c1616 Hume Orthog. 9.
And Varro … wrytes domineis and serveis, for dominis and servis c1616 Hume Orthog. 19.
Quhatever we derive from them written with c we sould alsoe wryte with e, … as conceave, receavec. 1604-31 Craig i 15.
Wreat not thy law's with blood as Draco didd. 1639 Acts V (1817) 276/1.
All wryteris to wryte ane good clois hand

8. fig.a. passive.Of something non-material: To be displayed or evidenced in (upon) one's face or behaviour. b. To create, bring about (a state of affairs).a. 1627 Fraserburgh Kirk S. II 21 March.
He harde Isbell … say … that scho was als lyke a whore as scho was and all war wreittin in hir face 1653 Binning Wks. (1841) 648.
Insobriety is written upon many passages of your behaviourb. 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1671) 134.
I painted a providence of my own and wrote ease for myself and a peaceable ministery

II. intr.9. a. To form characters with an implement, usu. a pen, usu. with ink, to write letters, words, etc. so as to communicate in this fashion. b. To have the skill or ability to do this. c. To make a mark. d. To represent words or sounds orthographically, to spell.a. c1450-2 Howlat 206 (B).
Thair come the curllew a clark … Chargit as chancellare For he coud wryte … With his neb … Vpoun the see sand a1500 Prestis of Peblis 251 (A).
Schir clerk, tak ynk, with pen on paper wryte c1500 Makc. MS xiii 96.
Sarffo [? erron. for scribo], as to wret 1533 Boece 183b.
vij wretaris successiue mycht skantlie … write with sic expedicioun as he wald indite 1535 Stewart 55891.
Expert he wes to … wryte rycht fair 1549 Compl. 14/22.
Quhat defferens is to vrit vitht ane pen, & the vsing of ane speyr vailȝeantly in battel 1574 Treas. Acc. XIII 32.
For the chalmer maill to the saidis clerkis quhair thai wrait c1580 James VI in Athenæum 17/3 (7 Jan.).
Ane pen and ink-horne of sylver … ane fueillee of syluer to vret apon 1630 Misc. Hist. Soc. II 258.
Ye heve not much ado and it var bot to lern to vret; vret man … wret better and spell better in Gods name c1677 J. M. Beale Fife Schools 200.
[School children in St. Andrews had to] wreatt upon the floor lying upon their belliesb. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 161/12.
He cowth wryte and reid 1511 Rentale Dunkeld. (SHS) 8.
With the subscription of Walter Chays son to the said William in his presens be caus his self cane nocht wriet c1563 Reg. Panmure I xxxii.
He … had beine brought vpe … vithout letters, sa that he culd nather reid nor vreit 1581 Kinghorn Kirk S. 6.
At the pen led be the notar underwrittin … becaus we culd notht writt 1596 Dalr. I 5/27.
Esilie thay may sie to reid and wryte 1598 Aberd. Eccl. Rec. 164.
Admittit him … for ane yeir, to teich at Kintoir bairnis to reid and vreitt 1599 Ellon Presb. 28.
Sick kirk officiars suld be … placed at every kirk as culd wrytte and reid 1621 Acts IV 599/1.
Everie pairtie subscryve his awin inventar him selff gif he can wreatec. 1513 Doug. i vii 107.
The speir ourturnyt in the duste dyd writed. c1616 Hume Orthog. 7.
To wryte orthographicallie ther are to be considered the symbol, the thing symbolized, and their congruence c1616 Hume Orthog. 21.
I wald understand quhy they wryte not as they speak

10. To communicate with ((one) to) someone in writing, also const. indirect object. Also proverb.b. Const. our se, in all landis, out of his land, hame.c. Without construction. d. To send for (someone or something) by writing. e. fig.pres. 1511 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III 108.
Your lordschipe man … writt to the commissar of Abirdene to essolye the man 1524 Douglas Corr. 92.
Pardone me that I wryt sa bauldlie to ȝour henes 1545 Douglas Corr. 156.
Remember to vrayt one to the kingis hienes 1577 Waus Corr. 144.
Wryit 1581 Burne Disput. 21b.
S. Paull … vreittand to the Romanis … and vretand to Titus 1583 Reg. Morton I 135.
Vrett 1603 Maxwell Mem. II 53.
The … cawse of my presumsion too wright too your Maiestie c1650 Spalding I 87.
Vtheris opposeit to thir seruice bookis began to wreit, and send commissioneris to the haill burrowis 1656 Wemyss Corr. 118.
Ureet 1663 Moray Synod 133.
My L[ord] B[isho]p to write the laird of Altar to keep [etc.](b) 1628 Sutherland Bk. II 148.
Wereatt(c) 1689 Annandale Corr. 45.
I resolve to woritte to you by the Thursdays postp.t. a1400 Leg. S. ii 909 (see Pistil(l n. 2). c1390 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 20.
We wrate till yhow in owre other lettres c1400 Troy-bk. ii 2084.
Oetus … to Egra … Wrote in lyke maner c1475 Wall. xi 971.
Bruce … With hys awn hand … wrayt to Wallace 1487 Aberd. B. Rec. I 415.
To pay xl s. … for the hors that deit quhan thai wrat to my lord of Eroll 1514 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 15.
Forsamekle as … we wrait to yow and to the thre estatis and lordis of our parliament to [etc.] ?1548 Corr. M. Lorraine 239.
I wreitt to yowr grace affoir 1565 Cal. Sc. P. II 205.
The forces quhairof we wraytt to you of befoyr 1567 Anderson Collect. Mary I 106.
Scho wrate to us, and we send hir answer agane 1558-66 Knox II 175.
Queyn Elizabeth … wrait unto the … estaittis of Scotland, in forme as followis 1609 Crim. Trials III 17.
Wrotte 1614 Highland P. III 161.
I wryt to ȝow befoir beseking ȝow to [etc.] c1650 Spalding I 134.
He wreit to his cusing … for the len of his hous 1665 Argyll-Lauderdale Lett. 22.
The Earle of Murray write to me, and offered to meet me(b) c1420 Wynt. v 4168 (C).
Til the emperoure … And til his wif … He wart [R. wrate, W. wrait] and sende ful fayr tretycep.p. a1400 Leg. S. xxi 548.
That thu has falsly leyt In al, quhare-of thu me [has] wreyt 1694 Annandale Corr. 81.
My lord, I have some post ago werit to your lordshipe wherin I told you that [etc.] 1701 Dunkeld Presb. II 324.
[The presbytery appointed him] to be wreate to to keep [etc.](b) 1544–5 Corr. M. Lorraine 130.
I haif wrytin owir to merchandis … to caus your grece be answerit … and the lawe salbe had 1586 Cal. Sc. P. VIII 474.
Since Captain Hakerstoun's leat conference vithe thearle of Leicester his lordship hes wrottin the more earnestly 1646 Old Ross-shire II 14.
A message … wreatin to all such within our kingdome 1664 Red Bk. Grandtully I cx.
Wreaten 1683 Fraser P. 262.
I have writtine to Montrose with ane promise of ane castt of hawcks 1685 Seafield Corr. 10.
Wreten 1687 Dunlop P. III 39.
Wretnproverb. a1598 Ferg. Prov. MS No. 1527.
Who wryts to him that dois not wryt again he is ane foolb. c1420 Wynt. viii 380.
Oure se he wrate, Cownsale til hawe c1450-2 Howlat 139 (A).
The pape commandit … to wryte in all landis Be the said secretar that the sele ȝemyt 1494 Loutfut MS 43a.
Neuertheles quhen he writtis out of his land he puttis him in writ as plesis him 1590 Lett. Jas. VI to Bruce 283.
His majestie … wrait hame to restrayne thaimec. pres. 1571 Douglas Corr. 370.
Your … last letter … made me yelde to the perswadementis of soum abowte me to wryght at this tyme c1593 Misc. Spald. C. I 6.
Ureit 1689 Melville Corr. 138.
I cannot find pen to wrett heare at presentp.t. c1420 Wynt. v 1499.
Syne in a generalle lettyre he Off God and Mannys unyown And Crystys incarnatyown He wrate 1568 Anderson Collect. Mary IV i 127.
We man put in your hienesses remembrance, quhow we wraitt off the largis for our soveraignp.p. 1545 Douglas Corr. 157.
Vritting … the 15 off Fabruarie 1548 Corr. M. Lorraine 232.
My guid moder … has wrytyn … to caus me cum owr(b) 1527 Douglas Corr. 117.
Writt at Edinburght, the penault day of Marche Ȝours Archibald Chancellard. 1473 Treas. Acc. I 67.
A chaplane of Sanctandros that the king wrate for anent certane materez 1544 Corr. M. Lorraine 90.
Dissayring … syk niscessers as hir grace … hes vrayting for vith hir imbassaturs 1588 Douglas Corr. 240.
We haif thocht goud to wret for ȝow … to be heir vpon Tuisday 1600-1610 Melvill 368.
Divers of the ministerie war wraitten for to that conventioun 1603 Moysie 7.
Wreyt for sum of thair freindis to meit thame theare 1612 Breadalbane Lett. 28 Nov.
I have send to ȝour maister the commission ȝe wreat for 1650 Ruthven Corr. 121.
Delyverit by me … the great jewelle … the laidie wrott for to me 1651 Strathbogie Presb. xiii.
The minister was appoynted to vreit … for their advys concernand their censure 1701 New Mills Manuf. 248.
That the cards … be wrot fore. 1653 Binning Wks. (1841) 17.
The hand of God must first write on their heart ere they understand the writings of the scriptures

11. To chronicle; record in writing; compose. b. Const. of, apon, against or eftir a topic. a1400 Leg. S. v 532.
That place Quhare-in to wryt c1420 Wynt. ii 838.
It is dowtews be the date That cronyklaris befor me wrate ?a1500 Steel Roy Robert 22.
To dyt and wryt our king began c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 67.
Discrive I wald bot quho coud wele endyte How [etc.] … Noucht thou, Omer, als fair as thou coud wryte For all thine ornate stilis 1513 Doug. i Prol. 292.
To follow a fixt sentens … Is … far strater … Than forto write all ways at liberte 1513 Doug. vii Prol. 144.
To write onone I hynt a pen in hand Fortil perform the poet 1562-3 Winȝet I 120/4.
Gif it [sc. the invisible kirk] wantis toungis to speik and handis to writt [MS wreitt] a1585 Polwart Flyt. 34 (T).
I am rycht glaid Thow art begun in wreit to flyt. Sen, loun, thy language I have laid, And put thé [to] thy pen to wryt c1616 Hume Orthog. 31.
At four hoores I was wryting 1609 Garden Garden 58.
Both diuine and worthily thou wraites 1611-57 Mure Early Misc. P. xvi 3.
My barren muse … to wryt forbear[s] 1638 Bk. Pasquils 67.
If loue should lett me vrett, I think you'd see The Perenies and Alpes cum skipe to meb. pres. a1400 Leg. S. xiii Prol. 91.
Criste, quhame-of thai wryt 1533 Gau 67/1.
The iugiment … quhairof S. Paul vritis at lintht in the vii chaiptur to the Romans a1570-86 Maitl. F. 238/26, 35.
Wryt I nocht eftir all mannis mynd … The making is nocht worth ane myt … Thus wait I nocht quhair of to wryt 1570 Leslie 8.
To wreitt of the estait of our countrey(b) 1688 Melville Corr. 103.
Advertis mee if annay thing extraordinary falls outt, and Ill order my frends to reatt off yow(c) 1694 Annandale Corr. 76.
I am obliged to friends who worite soe favorablie off mep.t. c1400 Troy-bk. i 522.
Ovyd in hys poetrye Wrait of hyr a1500 Henr. Fab. 61.
Of ane cok he wrait, … Of quhome the fabill ȝe sall heir anone 1531 Bell. Boece II 72.
He wrate … of logik, rethorik, geomatry [etc.] a1538 Abell 94b.
Nane wrait apone halie writ lik him in letterell expositioun & als in moraliteis 1568 Lyndesay Pref. (STS) 399.
With … vtheris, quhilk stranglie wrait aganis the … abusis of the clergie 1691 Kirk Secr. Commonw. (1964) 304.
Monro calling to mind what the seer told us … he wret of it, and sent an express to me … with it(b) 1633 Lithgow Poet. Remains 122.
He's the first, of trauells, ever wrot, Since my all-virgine wombe, first bred a Scotp.p. c1420 Wynt. ii 144 h. of ch.
Off Abrahame now schall yhe here Parte wryttine in this chapitere

III. Const. advs. 12. To write down, to record in writing. 1656 Laing MSS 306.
Ther is no noiss heir of your repentance that Mr. Sharp wrot down at lenth 1682 New Mills Manuf. 40.
John Rae is ordered when he gives out wool to scrubleing and writes itt down, to sett down a letter for a distinction thatt is C for course … F for fine 1697-1707 D. Hume Accompt of Estate 61.
The bands given to me are all wrott down in my book of inventares

13. To write in. a. To include in a list. b. To communicate in writing.a. 1622-6 Bisset I 152/26.
The lordis quha convenis nocht at the houre appoyntted … sall nocht be breved nor wreittin [in] amangis the rest of the lordis sedentes bot salbe notted immediatlie thaireftirb. 1680 Dunlop P. III 7.
[He] did entreat Master Bardy to wryt in to Glasgow

14. To write on or upon. a. To use (parchment, etc.) as a writing surface, also a wreating. b. To continue to write.a. 1474 Treas. Acc. I 54.
Parchement that the grete endentouris wes writin on 1670 Murray Lyon Hist. Lodge Edinb. 426.
To have a special care of this book, and … neyther let the clerk keep it any longer nor he is a wreating on it, neyther let him wreat upon it but when [etc.]b. a1500 Henr. Practysis 9.
Ȝour medicyne … I stand ford ȝe nocht vnderstude, Bot wrett on as ȝe culd to gar [etc.]

15. To write out, to pen or transcribe (a letter, etc.). a1670 Scot Staggering State xxviii.
All the king's letters … were wrote out by him [sc. the secretary] … and where the writings were long, a short docquet was also subscribed by him for the king's perusal

16. To write up. a. To list, to record in a list. b. To put into writing more generally. c. To communicate in writing with (someone at court or of higher social standing).a. c1420 Wynt. iv 2517.
And all the men … To wryt wp ilkane in tyll roll [W. Breiffit vp in writt and roll] a1500 Prestis of Peblis 277.
Thai wryt wp leile and fals baith all & sum And dytis thaim vnder a perdoun 1596 Dalr. I 219/1.
That the names of the offenders … [be] writne vpe and secreitlie endyted in the kingis bukes 1597 Conv. Burghs II 8.
That the said lord Conseruatour wrytt vp the nameis of thais persouns that … arrywe within the Law Cuntreyis with burnecoll send the samyn to the said James 1663 Melrose Reg. Rec. II 81.
John Mein … did wreat up and mark quhatsumever riggs or buts fell to the said Robert … and the said John Mein, does still reteane and keep up the forsaid wreat quherupon he marked the said persewers part 1666 P. Gordon Diary 72.
Haveing told where wee were to lodge, they … sent a writer to write up our namesb. c1420 Wynt. ix 1177.
I wyll noucht wryt wp all That I hawe sene in my tyme fallc. 1614 Conv. Burghs II 462.
Ordeans the greives [sc. grievances] of the nichtboors of Kirkcaldie … to be writtin vp to the burrowes agent at court 1638 Rothes Affairs Kirk 200.
I will writt up to the king … and tell him [etc.] 1662 6th Rep. Hist. MSS 699/1.
Reseau heir inclosed a letter … as I wreat vp weicklie to my Lord Rothes