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

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

Ȝeld(e, Ȝeild(e, n. [ME and e.m.E. ȝæild (a1154), ȝeld (Orm), ȝielde (a1200), yeild (Cursor M.), OE ᵹield, ON gjald.]

1. A sum of money raised by means of taxation. Also attrib. 1424 Acts II 4/1.
It is accordit that a ȝelde be raisit, that is to say xij d. of ilk pvnde 1483 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 47.
Thair complaint buir … that thay war nycht havely hurt … in the payment of ȝeldis and extentis quhilkis thay war compellit to do be use 1494 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 67.
That the browsteris ȝeild be gadderit … be the baillies … and this ȝeild to be gadderit yeirly anes in the yeir quhill the haill wellis be completly endit [etc.] 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Herreȝelda.
Ȝeild is called ane gift, tribute or taxation, as in the auld actes of parliament maid be King James the First, it is written that ane ȝeilde was gaddered for the releife of him out of England 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Ȝelde.
Ȝelde, ane gift or donation, vid. Herreȝeldeattrib. 1424 Acts II 5/1.
The prelatis [etc.] … sall taxt and ordane the costis of all officiaris that sall laubour about this ȝeilde raysing

b. In fig. context: Payment by way of compensation. a1500 Prestis of Peblis 757.
Ȝe sould not presume … For mans body … to giue ane ȝeild Quhome to ȝe sould be sickar speir and sheild

c. fig. Tribute debt. a1400 Leg. S. xviii 1344.
The body Of wrechit Mary to erde thou ȝeld That of the flesche has quyt the ȝeld & to the erd thu gyf the deit & povdir in-to powdir sete

2. A captive, prisoner. c1600 Montg. Suppl. iv 58.
Quhat vantage hes ane armit knycht His ȝeild in presoun for to kill?