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

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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Presand, n. Also: -ande. [North. ME presand (Cursor M.): cf. Present n.¹]

1. In (into, intill) presand (= OF en present), (to bring, etc.) into another's presence (usu. as an offering or gift); as a gift. 1375 Barb. xviii 170 (E).
Thai … send it [sc. his head] … Till the king Eduuard in presand [: Ingland] Ib. 542.
To the King of Fraunce in presand [: land] He send thaim [French knights] c1420 Wynt. iii 939.
This lume … This smyth broucht in to presand [C. presande] Ib. viii 3799.
Quhill he wes browcht in till presand To the Kyng Edward off Ingland 1560 Rolland Seven S. 9561.
Syne … To the lady it send into presand [: hand]

2. Something given, offered or presented, also a person handed over (to another); a gift (of the thing or person handed over).As the second element of a compound in cors-presand Cors-present n.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xxv 669.
Sancte Blase … of bere-bred mad hyme presand [: land] c1420 Wynt. vi 928.
That thai wald … mak off that knycht a presand … Till hym, that than wes empryoure 1513 Doug. viii x 32.(2) c1400 Troy-bk. ii 626 (D).
Thai wold … that presand Gyve to Pallas 1513 Doug. i ix 102.
Ane hundreth lammys … With other presandis [E. praisantis] Ib. ii i 45.
That suspek presand of the Grekis dissait Ib. vi i 30.
A sair presand [Ruddim. -end; rh. send] 1533 Boece 275 b.
Euery man … pansit owder sum new invencioun of honoure or presand Ib. 292 b.
Quharefore to Occa thay directit the secund ambassadry with riche giftis and offeris; … Occa … resaving the presandis(3) 1513 Doug. v v 8.
Bad onto thar schippis bair … Presandis of wyne 1551 Hamilton Cat. 271.
Quhen ane king … sendis be ane honest gentilman ony presand of meit or ony precious gift be ane of his awin servandis the gentilman that ressavis this gift will … reward that servand honestly

b. Applied to the right hand when extended to a person by way of assurance. — 1513 Doug. iii ix 44.
Anchis … gaue that ȝong man his rycht hand, And assurys hys spreit with that presand [L. praesenti pignore]

c. = Present n.¹ c. 1699 Tack Argyle to Mongomery Reg. Deeds Dal. (Reg. H.) MS.
The accustomed presands of the said haill landis or the soume of thirty seven shilling six pennies money foresaid as the pryce of the said presandis payable out of each merk land