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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.

Promit, v.¹ Also: -itt(e, -ict, -yt, -ytt(e, -yct; -eit; -ect; Permit(t; pres. p. also promitten; p.t. also promitat, promeittit, promyct; p.p. also promitt. [Late ME and e.m.E. promit, -yt (1425), L. prōmittere to promise, also late ME and e.m.E. promette (c 1422), F. promettre (10th c. in Godef.).] To promise.

1. tr. To promise.Const. as Promis v. 1; also a. (3) with cognate object. The pres. p. form promitten is appar. confined to collocation b. (2) (after promitten., abbrev. form of the L. pres. p.).a. (1) 1447 Cart. S. Giles 79.
I sal nocht promitte the said chapellanery na resing it in fauouris of ony persoun c 1456 Edinb. B. Rec. MS (Reg. H.) 2.
In full … pament of the hale some of vj li. promittit be him 1466 Reg. Morton II 214.
The said erle … sal … forgeve the tother fiffe hundreth merkis promittit for the said mariage 1482 Edinb. Chart. 155. 1496–7 (c 1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 70. 1498–9 Acta Conc. II 314.
That he had promyctit nane reversione of the landis 1513 Doug. ix v 133.
Na mair I may promyt [: ȝit] 1518 Rep. Elphinstone Mun. 191/1.
And this I promytte appoun my faitht 1518 Aberd. B. Rec. I 95.
Johnne Brabner promittit to the biging of the port … ane chaldyr of lyme a1538 Abell 28 b.
Thai ar promowit to halie ordour nocht promittand chastite 1562-3 Winȝet I 56/8.
To promitt anssuer thairto 1583 Reg. Privy C. III 599.
Quhilk as his majestie heir promittis sa sall he mak it to cythe … heirefter 1590 Warrender P. (S.H.S.) II 140. 1600 Haddington Corr. 209.
I have chosin the rather to returne your messinger with this anssuer, nor with ane delay and promectand ane mair perfyke anssuer from yowr ladyschips humbill seruitour 1619 Garden Elphinstoun 957.
To promitt support 1622-6 Bisset I 100/9. 1674 Stitchill Baron Ct. 73.
Promittit(2) pres. a1500 Bernardus 278.
Thoth thai promyt thé twis for it the wale 1490 Irland Mir. II 72/18.
God promittis to ws remissioun of our synnis Ib. 133/9. 1533 Boece 150 b.
Promitting thame grete rewardis to gide thame throw the firth 1562-3 Winȝet I 73/28. 1599 Murray Lyon Hist. Lodge Edinb. 39.p.t. 1456 Hay I 141/24.
Sen that he has payit thame all that he promyttit thame 1487–8 Prestwick B. Rec. 32.
Restand of a certane soume of mone he promitit him in tochir 1490 Irland Mir. II 109/18.
Bot God promittit Ihesu and His law to the faderis and pepil 1499–1500 Acta Conc. II 361.
[Duncan deponed that he] promyctit thame never ferthir payment of the sadis soumes 1501 Treas. Acc. II 62.
For … Franch tanne … quilk the king promittit to thaim 1523–4 Carnwath Baron Ct. (S.H.S.) 6.
As vder thingis that thai promittit hym 1531 Bell. Boece II 380.
For King Edward promittit be general edict sindry landis … to thame that wald [etc.] 1566–7 Reg. Privy S. V ii 288/1. 1630 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. II 424.
For certane malt … quherof shee promittit him payment 1659 Melrose Reg. Rec. I 234.
Promittitp.p. 1463 Liber Aberbr. II 132.
The said abbot … has promittit thank and gratitud to the said byschop 1482 Edinb. Chart. 155.
Ande has promittit and gevin to thaime thare ful and plane pouer [etc.] 1492 Aberd. B. Rec. in Mill Mediæv. Plays 133.
& askit … pament of his fee promittit to him 1512 Lennox Mun. 204.
Promyttit 1513 Doug. ix i 20.
Promittit 1549 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV 623. 1562-3 Winȝet I 84/29. 1606 Laing MSS I 106.
For altho the king hes this long tyme promitted Merchiston ever the nixt vacant place 1634 Dunferm. B. Rec. II 178.
Promittit 1684 Glamis Bk. Record 3.
Having married … and had four hunder pond of toucher promitted to him which he was altogether froustrat of(3) 1490 Irland Mir. I 18/26.
And to cum to the vij promittis that he has promittit and heicht to his propir childer 1533 Gau 100/8.
Keip Thy promis quhilk Thow hes promittit to wsz for … Thow hes promist to forgiff wsz our sinnis 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 164.
That the saidis lordis never creditit ane word that wes aither promittit or spokin be the lordis assistaris … thairefterb. (1) pres. 1490 Irland Mir. II 109/17.
It that God promittis to do it falȝeis nocht Id. Asl. MS 79/17.
I me confes … and promittis to amend my lyf 1499–1500 Acta Conc. II 384.
Promyctis c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlviii 38. 1515 Douglas Corr. 67.
And, schir, I promyt fathfully to fulfill the samyn 1531 Bell. Boece I xix.
To mak the reders more … attent, we promit faithfullie to writ na thing in this werk bot [etc.] 1545 Grant Chart. 94 (see Promes n. (1)). c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus iii 836. c1575 Balfour Pract. 116.
Gif scho promit be word not to marie a1578 Pitsc. I 78/2.
Promitand 1603 Moysie 104.
Promitting be his oathe and handwreyt to restoir [etc.] 1637 Stirling Merch. Guild 54.
Promitting to have given thame the waill of ane punshone of wyne 1680 Rothesay Par. Rec. 54.
Promittp.t. (a) 1490 Irland Mir. I 122/2.
And in Jerusalem … He promittit to do the werk of lyf 1496–7 Acta Conc. II 44.
The quhilk soum the sade James ressavit and promyttit til ger it be allowit 1497–8 Ib. 108.
Thomas Nicholesone … promictit til bring thame oure soverane lordis remissione 1498–9 Ib. 307.
Promictit Ib. 310.
Promyctit 1501 Edinb. B. Rec. I 91.
Thai promittit to supple the said lord in his office of constablari in tyme tocum 1512 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 17.
Schir William … promittit fathfullie to releif Thome Johnsone 1531 Bell. Boece I 109.
That ilk man promittit … to fecht for thair … liberte to the deith Ib. 4. 1541 Prestwick B. Rec. 56.
Promyttyt 1560 St. A. Kirk S. 30.
That quhare I … promitted faythfullie to solemne the band of mariage with hir 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 300.
Becaus he promittit in hechting to caus the toun men doe or die 1622-6 Bisset I 51/37.(b) 1577 Prot. Bk. J. Scott MS 37.
The said Robert … promitat nevir to inquiet … the said Jhone(c) 1608 Kinghorn Kirk S. 11.
Comperit syndries of the people of Cardoun … quha promeittit to frequent thair awn paroche kirk(d) 1500 Acta Conc. II 461.
It was allegit be the sade James that the sade Gawane promyct til gif til him the sade horse 1501 Ib. III 75.p.p. (a) 1490–1 Acta Conc. I 187/1.
& the said William has grantit and promitt to deliuer to the said Patrik ane sufficient charter(b) 1490–1 Acta Conc. I 187/2.
And has promittit … to bring [etc.] 1494 Acta Aud. 196/2.
Lord Gray … has promittit to deliuer ane retour 1496 Acta Conc. II 39.
Promyttit 1538 Breadalbane Doc. (Reg. H.) No. 48.
The quhilkis the said Johne hes promittit to amend 1665 Perth B. Rec. in Dunkeld Presb. I 397.
Promitted(2) (a) 1592 Douglas Corr. 244.
And to that effect we gif ȝow our full commissioun to the concluding of the foirnamet actioun, promitten to hald ferme and stable etc. 1630 Aberd. Council Lett. I 326.
And to that effect constitutes my laughfull procurators[ … ]promitten de rato 1672 Ib. V 125.
And generally all and sundry other thinges … to doe use and exerce promitten to hold firme and stable and this commission to stand [etc.] 1684 in Wodrow Hist. (1721) II 437.
And instructions given by our council of the date thir presents promitten to hold firm and stable; and ordain this commission to continue [etc.](b) 1619 Aberd. Council Lett. I 167.
As further all and sindrie uther things … quhilk we might do our selffis or that to the office of a commissionar in suche cace is knawen to apertene promitting to hauld firme and stabill 1628 Ib. 289.
Promittand 1675 Kirkcaldy B. Rec. MS 23 Aug.
And what they doe heirin the counsell promitts to hold firm and stable(3) 1605 Edinb. Test. XL 229.
Gilbert delyuerand to him abak ane cloik … quhilk wes promittit to be done(4) a1500 Bk. Chess 1176.
This kingis mediciner … to this knycht promittit for to sla This king with wennome 1502 Perth Guildry MS p. 151 (26 July).
To promyt to him … to do him als mekle … plesance as [etc.] 1513 Doug. xii i h. of ch.
Turnus … Promittis Eneas allone hym tyll assaill 1533 Bell. Livy I 13/29.
Promitting [B. promittand to him] to gif his dochter Lavinia in mariage to him 1535 Stewart 48110. 1540 Lynd. Sat. 3278 (B).
Als I promit thé verraly To gif to thé ane cuppill of ky 1556 Edinb. B. Rec. 249. 1562-3 Winȝet I 67/18, 136/3. a1568 Bann. MS 267 b/15.(5) c1490 Irland Asl. MS 4/31.
Sa dois he [sc. the Devil] heir promittand to thé to lyve to thin eild and do pennance 1561 Reg. Privy S. V i 216/1.
And havand regard to hir … moderis faithfull promeis … promittand faithfullie to the said Williame be sufficientlie provydit of the said pensiounc. (1) 1454–5 Cart. S. Giles 106.
We promit … that within … seuin ȝhere … that we sal big ane ile furth [etc.] 1463 Liber Aberbr. II 132.
And has promittit in his lawte twechand his brest that he sal kep … this appoyntment 1467 Acta Aud. 8/1.
Befor the lordis … Patric lord Halis promittit … that he sal [etc.] 1468 Ayr & W. Coll. III 133.
Itt is appointit and fathfully promyctit betvix richt reverend faderis … that thai … sal remayn … with … the king 1490 Irland Mir. II 9/2.
And He promittit in the haly scriptur … that … He sal gif [etc.] 1497–8 Acta Conc. II 115.
Henry Forbas … promyctit be the extensione of his hand that he sal do his lauboure [etc.] 1528 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. App. viii 180. 1559 Knox I 353. 1567 Buch. Detect. (1727) 94.
[Queen Mary] takis … Bothwell as hir lawfull husband and promittis … that … hir majestie sall … mary and … compleit the band of matrimonie with him 1570 Leslie 13.(2) a1500 Seven S. 2624.
Heir I promit in parliament plane That he sall haf my dochter faire 1517 Edinb. B. Rec. I 168.
The said William … has promittit That the said Robertis faderis skynnis salbe fre of all maner of drink siluer 1521 Reg. Cupar A. I 318.
The said Patone promittit that the fourty merkis suld be furth cumand to Andro his sone 1544 Corr. M. Lorraine 87.
Your grace sall promit in myne nayme that I sall stand fyrme 1561 Q. Kennedy Compendious Ressonyng (ed.) 178/5 (G).
Promittand than that his mowtht suld furthschaw his godlie lowing 1575–6 Reg. Privy C. II 509. — 1456–70 Liber Aberbr. II 106.
For his seruice quhilk he promittit for hym and his that we suld onuexit be in the lawe of the landis and to be gud nychtbowr to ws 1554 Prot. Bk. J. Harlaw 43 b.
Deliuerit to James Glen … ane charter [etc.] … quhilk the said James promittit that he suld cancellat and distroy the samyn be ressoun [etc.](3) 1478 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. viii 168.
We promit faithfully thareatour till our weilbelouit cousingis … that … we sall mak [etc.] 1457–93 Breadalbane Doc. No. 11.
Vs … to haue promittit ande be thir our present lettris promittis to our lovet frende … at we sall nocht perseu … thir persouns onder vrityn 1490 Irland Mir. I 98/10.
God promittit to Abrahame that this lady … suld discend of him Ib. 6/19, 135/27. 1507 Reg. Privy S. I 223/2.
We have grantit and promittit to thame that thai sal nocht be hurt nor [etc.] 1522 Douglas Corr. 85.
That I … promittis to God … that I sall neuir [etc.] 1566–7 Reg. Privy S. V ii 288/1. 1580 Douglas Bequest May.
We … faithfullie promit bind and oblisis ws … to the said Gilbert … that quhat tyme [etc.]d. 1473 Acts II 105/1.
And quhether thai [sc. coins] halde v s. fyne siluer of the vnce as was ordanit be the kingis hienes & promittit be the cunȝeouris 1482 Edinb. Chart. 155.
At the samyn termes as the said procuratouris … to quhatsumeuer personis bindis … the … communite or promittis in thar name 1490 Irland Mir. II 77/14.
God … may caus generale resurreccioun … as he has promittit 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 179.
Now thow promittis, and richt now thow denyis 1511–12 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 15.
He lennand as is promittit to the said work 1514 (c 1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 148.
Thir ar the personis followand that promittit 1531 Bell. Boece (M) II 220. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 7491.
Ȝour sone sall speik and we his maisteris seuin Vnto ȝour grace we promittis faithfullie a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 1131 (Wr.). 1601 Conv. Burghs II 98.

2. To promise (a woman) in marriage to another or const. dative pron. 1490 Irland Mir. MS fol. 342.
Scho was … hand fast and promittit to ane of the maist noblis of all the realme 1533 Bell. Livy I 60/6 (A).
Ane virgine of grete bewtie quhilk was handfast and promittit [B.M.MS quhilk was promittit afore] in mariage to ane of thir thre curacianis 1560 Rolland Seven S. 8465.
Gif ony man the treuth will me declair, I him promit my douchter and myne air Into spowsage

3. ? To express determination (to do something), to insist on doing it: cf. Promeis v. 2 b, Promis v. 2. 1543 Misc. Spald. C. II 198.
We send oure … seruitor … to you to require you to deliuer … all writingis [etc.] … and ye … wald nocht deliuer the samyn … bot promittit to keip the samin