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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.

Promis, v. Also: -ise, -iss(e, -ys(e, -ish, -ice, (promose). P.t. and p.p. promis(s)it, -id, -ed, -ad; promiced; promist, -yst; promiss. [Late ME and e.m.E. promyse (c 1420), -is(e (a 1500), f. Promisn. Cf. Promes, Promeis, also Promit.]

1. tr. To promise, undertake (something to the benefit or advantage of the person concerned). = Promit v.¹Const. a. noun phrase or pron. object, b. infin., c. noun clause, and d. absol. and intr.a. (1) 1533 Gau 72/33.
Al that quhilk the ald testament promist be mirk figurs of the euerlestand liff c1520-c1535 Nisbet I 2.
God promisit this H[is gos]pell … be His prophetis Ib. 3. 1558-66 Knox I 143.
The quene … promissed favouris in all his lauchfull suyttis to wemen a1570-86 Maitland? in Maitl. F. clxxix 120.
Promissit (p.p.) a1578 Pitsc. I 131/11.
Promissand perpetuall freindscheip 1581 Hamilton Cath. Tr. in 1573-1600 Cath. Tr. (S.T.S.) 102/20.
Promisit (p.t.) 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. (1591) vi O v b.
Suppose there be trews promised 1649 Misc. Spald. C. V 381.
This vas promisad librallie by me in ther neames(2) p.t., p.p. (a) 1448 Aberd. B. Rec. I 18.
Attour thai haue promissit to the said John a reward for his … labour a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 551.
Promissit c1515 Asl. MS I 304/28 (see Promissio(u)n n. 1 b). 1567 G. Ball. 144.
Euin Israell he hes promysit [D. promesit] And to our fatheris a1578 Pitsc. I 256/18. 1602 Conv. Burghs II 139.(b) a1578 Pitsc. I 255/12.
On nawayis he could refuse sa fair offeris as his brother … had promissed to him 1581 Burne Disput. 120.
Vther places … quhairin the obedience of the hail varld is promished to Christ 1674 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 212.
Two bolls of beir … quhilk he promised me delyverie of at Candlmess 1697 Wemyss Corr. 157.
If I had not promiced the Master of Burleigh a lend of my pale, herce [etc.](c) 1513 Doug. iv v 178.
Of sa hie thingis as ar to thé promyst [: list] Ib. ix v 174, x xi 112. 1533 Gau 35/5.
Promist 1614 Denmylne MSS in Highland P. III 171.
I promist to him self honest rewarde off his majestie(d) 1614 Denmylne MSS in Highland P. III 172.
I promiss to him gif he sould bring me hame the prisonnaris … at leist [1000 marks]b. pres. c1490 Irland Asl. MS 21/5.
Thocht he promis to kepe it secrete 1549 Facs. Nat. MSS III xxiv.
Thir ar the articlis that Patrik Erle Boithuile … promissis to bid at a1578 Pitsc. I 112/14.
Promissing faithtfullie to be redy 1635 Dickson Wr. 24.
Promise 1657 Balfour Ann. IV 393.
Promissep.t., p.p. (1) c1520-c1535 Nisbet I 5.
God has promist to encres the knawlege of his word in all sic 1549 Breadalbane Doc. No. 68.
The said Ihone Menȝeis hes promyst … to be ane lele and trew seruand to the said Ihone Campbell 1561 St. A. Kirk S. 126.
Promisit Ib.
Promised c1568 Lauder Minor P. i 364.
Promist 1570 Cal. Sc. P. III 125.
In my last I promosit to writ at mair lenth 1584 Misc. Bann. C. I 112.
And efter his admonitioun had solemnitlie promisit … neuer to accept anie sik charge(2) 1555 Edinb. Hammermen 199.
xx s. … quhilk the craft promissit to be payd agane to the lennaris 1584 Misc. Bann. C. I 114.
It was promisit to be mendit and that he sold nocht be admitted to [etc.]c. (1) 1518 Elphinstone Mun. 191/1.
That albeit I … did frely and liberally promyse and graunte to the said quene … that nether I nor ony othere … shulde [etc.] 1533 Boece 516 b.
Quhen King Iohnne … promyst be the grete aith he suld in tyme cuming ceis [etc.] 1560 Rolland Seven S. 8499.
Thair is ane ȝoung man heir … Quhilk promisis that he sall satisfie All ȝour desires 1569 Mary Facs. Nat. MSS III lix.
Promiseing faythfullie … we sall hald ferme and stable … quhatsumevir thingis our saidis commissionaris … sall do in our name a1578 Pitsc. I 345/11.
Of the quhilk the King of Ingland was werie glade and promist the samin that no man sould sie [etc.](2) 1533 Gau 35/6.
He is the seid of voman quhilk God promist suld thring dwne the heid of the serpent Ib. 72/34.
Thay prewe cleirlie the New Testament and promisis with playne vordis at that sal veralie be fulfillit 1543–4 Corr. M. Lorraine 66.
Promissit a1578 Pitsc. II 19/4.
Promissand 1596 Dalr. II 341/6.
It sall be done faithfullie sho promisses at lenth and lazar Ib. 137/16.
Promise 1629 S. Leith Rec. 18.
The sessioune promissit that nane vther schooll sould haue libertie to teach any maill children 1633 Aberd. Council Lett. I 380.
Promis(3) 1533 Gau 34/26.
The Sone … vesz promist lang befor be the prophetis that He suld cum in the vardild. 1513 Doug. xi Prol. 58.
So as we aucht, and promyst hes at font, Than mon we byd baldly 1549 Breadalbane Coll. GD 112/1/2 No. 68.
As onny wthir gentill manis hows in the cuntre beis that hes promyst siclyk 1555 Peebles B. Rec. I 218.
Promist

2. ? To declare as an intention; ? to propose, intend. Cf. Promeis v. 2 b, Promit v. 3. 1567–8 Crim. Trials I i 501.
And promist alsua to haif bidden thair upoun the Sounday at ny[ch]t 16.. Rudiments fol. 40 a.
I promised to be a landward fiue dayis

b. To declare as a hostile intention, to assert by way of threat or menace, to vow or to threaten; ? also, to vow to oneself, to determine. 1564 St. A. Kirk S. 210.
The said Jonat, wyth hecht … mynd, cruelly promyst to caus ding owt all my harnis a1578 Pitsc. I 158/30.
The said bischope James promissid to the consall of Ingland that thair sould no peace be keipit gif [etc.] Ib. II 19/7.
Thairfor he grew displessit and promissit that he suld haue ane suffiecent mense of the quene and cardinall 1677 Sc. Hist. Rev. XVII 18.
[That a certain John Hervie was] troubling [three tenants in Grimeston, Orkney] and promises to enter in their inskift land … and thinkis to bost them with [etc.]