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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.

(Public,) Publict, n. Also: pwb- and -lick, -like; Poplike. [e.m.E. public, -like, etc., (1611) in sense 1 below, also (1665) the community or its members, not in its organized capacity; f. Publicadj. (adv.) (n.).]

1. The community or nation as a corporate authority; the commonwealth, the state; also, the interest of the community. 1627 Aberd. Council Lett. I 268.
Swa becaus this toune is generuslie praysed for one of the nobill disposed tounes … and as their intentiones seemis good for the publict 1640 Kirkcudbr. Min. Bk. 4.
To be comptable thairfoire to the publict Ib. 61.
For advanceing of the good of the publict Ib. 67.
To use and dispose upon the tymber [etc.] … to the use of the publict Ib. 79.
We resolve to give him his warrand, sieing the publict is securit, by his band and caution, for compt and reckoning 1641 Acts V 307/2.
Publike 1641 Rothes Affairs Kirk App. 227.
[He] hathe deserved weill of the publict 1659 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 183.
About some effairs that concerne the publict 1660 Aberd. Council Lett. IV 21.
I may tak up much moir money fra the publict yea than ever [etc.] 1681 Colvil Whig's Suppl. (1751) 85. 1689 Hunter Fam. P. (S.R.S.) 85.
Who urge me mightily to acquant the publick with it 1693 Peebles B. Rec. II 145.
Publict

b. The public service. c. A public use or purpose. 1653 Humble Acknowledgment Sins Ministery 87.
[We] desiring to be taken notice of, more than to be stedable in the publick c 1660 Haddo P. Miscell. (Reg. H.)
Nather can the estait of any forfalted persone be applyed to any publict but to his maiesties fisce

d. Upon the publict: in the employment or service of the state; at the expense of the state, at public expense. 1640 Kirkcudbr. Min. Bk. 67.
And ordaines him, during the flighting thairof, to put sex musqueteires and ane sergand thairin, to be enterteanit upon the publict 1642 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. II 680.
He went willinglie to Ingland vpon the publict 1645 Edinb. Surgeons 176.
[He] is imployit vpone the publick and is presentlie bound for the North in this last expedition

2. In the south-west: Duties on property payable to the community or state (as against those payable to private persons), public charges. Also pl., id.sing. 1666 Galloway P.
Whatswmever pwblick cwmmeth upon the said lands is to be advanced be the said Allexander 1680 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS 20 Aug.
To pay to Williame Corbie sexteine punds twelfe shilling restand of house rent deducand thrie pund sex shilling for publict and dressing of the cloise and well 1684–5 Dumfr. & Galloway Soc. 3 Ser. XXXVI 167.
That the landis … were all waist so that the landis possest did hardly pay teind and publictpl. 1671 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS 22 April.
He is declared to be discearged [sic] be the toun of all bygane publicts in tyme cuming 1681 Ib. 24 May.
Deduceing publicts and ther outwareings on the said barne … , deduceing therfrae publicts and onwareings quhatsoumever of the said kill

3. Appar., Public notice or censure. 1700 Cramond Kirk S. IV 5 July.
The session thinkeing it would be to noe edification to bring her to publick she being so very stupid, … [she] was rebuked for her curseing and dismist