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.
Puns(c)hio(u)n(e, Puncheon, Puncione, n.1 Also: puns-; pons-; pouns-, powns-; pent- and -yon, -eoun(e, -eown, -oun(e, -own, -on; Poynson. [ME and e.m.E. ponson, punson (1367–8), ponchong (1397), -oun, punchoun (Prompt. Parv.), -ion (1466), -eon (1558), pounch-, pownchion (1496), ponchion (1594), pounceon (1659), a dagger (c1400), a pointed tool (1367–8), an instrument for punching (1594), ‘a short upright piece of timber in a wooden framing’ (OED) (1466), OF, MF (dates from Wartburg) poinchon (c1220–1501), ponchon (14–15th c.), poençon (1309), poinsson (1399), MF and F. poinçon (c1530), f. a late L. or Common Rom. deriv. of L. puncta point (Punct n.2, Point n.2).]
1. A pointed weapon or tool.
a. A dagger. b. A tool for piercing, a bodkin. c. An engraving tool, a burin.a. 1375 Barb. i 545.
[Julius Caesar was] Slayne with pu[n]soune [1571 boitkinnis] rycht to the ded c1420 Wynt. iv 2313.
[Thai] stekyd hym rycht fellownly Wytht scharpe pownsownys [C. pvnsionnys, W. punsonys, E.2 ponsyonys, L. pointalis]b. 1508 Treas. Acc. IV 111.
To Robert, cultellar, for ij punschionis to strik out sternis abone the altar 1529 Edinb. B. Rec. II 5.
The thrid falt to bring thar caldrone or kettellis to the cros and ding thame throw with ane puncionec. 1612 Bk. Rates (Halyb.) 325.
Punsheonis and graveris for goldsmythis the pund weght vi s.
2. An instrument for punching or stamping figures, letters, etc., on plate or other material; also, for making dies for coining and matrices for casting type.In the quot. for 1421, perh. transf. = the mark stamped.Also comb.1421 Douglas Chart. 57.
Twelfe pecys of syluyr, merkit with the pounsoun of Paryse 1503–4 Treas. Acc. II 222.
For the cunȝe irnis and the punschionis for the samyn 1525–6 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 239.
That schir Johne Gurlay keip the prenting irnis and punsionis undir twa keis 1561 Treas. Acc. XI 70 (see Irne n. 2 d). 1562–3 Reg. Privy C. I 227.
The tursell … togidder with twa punscheownis the ane berand the saidis letteris … and the uther berand the saidis crescentis and thirsell 1619 Edinb. Test. L 213b.
Tua irone punscheounes price of baith ij s. 1650 Cochran-Patrick Coinage II 174.
To cause graue in good steil vpon handsome punsheons or irons … his majesties portrait 1663 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. I 385.
Anent the delyverie to the graver of the puncheons of his majesties face 1690 Cochran-Patrick Coinage II 222.
The head punchons and reverses of the fourtie shilling and ten shilling peices with the other small puncheons for the armes; with the lever puncheons for the inscriptions 1692 Ib. 238.
The heid and reverse maister puncheons of the croun piece(b) 1695 Cochran-Patrick Coinage II 244.
Pentionscomb. 1502–3 Treas. Acc. II 358.
For ane hammyr, turcas, and othir punschioun irnis
