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.
Providin(g, -yng, (pres. p.) and quasi-conj. Also: -vyd-, -wyd-. [Late ME prouyding (euir more that, 1423), -vydyng (alwey, 1463), also in 18th c. Eng. as quasi-conj. (1795), pres. p. of Provid(e v., used absolutely. See also Providand.]
1. With the proviso or stipulation that; on condition that; provided that; if only; so long as.Usu., providing that. Common in the phr. providing alwayis (that), see also Alwayis adv. 1 b.Appar. recorded only in Sc. between 1463 and 1795.
a. With that.(1) 1524 Acts II 290/1.
The quenis grace … to … remane with him at hir plesour … providing that his grace be nocht transportit furth of the realm 1540 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. II 99. 1554 Inchaffray Reg. lvii.
Prowyding that we be payit for harrage [etc.] … with kayn follis conforme to the rentall 1556 Lauder Off. Kings 19.
Prouidyng that his justice be Gratiouslie myxit with mercye 1573 Montgomery Mem. 213. 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 185/672.
Sho … lichlies death prouyding that her fellou allso uent(2) 1531 Bell. Boece I 25.
Providing allwayis that we remove seditioun 1539 Reg. Cupar A. II 10.
Prouiding all wais that in cace it happin the said Elene heirefter to be cled or spousit with ony man [etc.] … the said Elene sall tyne all rycht 1540 Acts II 359/2. 1541 Reg. Privy S. II 654/1. 1564 Peebles B. Rec. I 294.
Prowydin 1564 Prot. Bk. J. Scott MS 8b.
Provyding alwayis that it salbe lesum to the said Dauid to pay … befoir the said day c1568 Lauder Minor P. i 368.
Prouyding alwayis that ȝe constant be 1596 Conv. Burghs I 489.
This to indure for the space of thre ȝeiris … providing awyis that thai mak ȝeirle compt
b. With omission of that.1552 Breadalbane P. (Reg. H.) No. 81.
Prouiding alwais the saidis Duncane and … his sone … keip thair band and mantrent 1596 Conv. Burghs I 498.
Provyding alweyes thei pay the said Iames betuix this and the last of August —1566 Montgomery Mem. II 203.
Prowyding gew thair beis airis maill the said erle sall pay nocht to the femmell 1578 Second Bk. Disc. in Bk. Univ. Kirk II 490.
Prouyding they neglect not thair awin charge 1632 Lithgow Trav. x 495. 1659 A. Hay Diary 44.
20 lib. to Margaret Hay to help her provyding she employed it weel
2. ? If.There are some gaps, and perh. also omissions, in the text quoted below.1616 Boyd Fam. P. No. 99 (31 May).
Prowyding that the saids dochters misbehawe tham selffis … befoir ther mariage … in that cais the said Thomas … owt to be astrictit to the dochter sall misbehave hir selff in payment of ony sowmes of money bot to be freid … therof
