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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
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Moyen, -an, n.¹ Also: -ene, mo(i)en(e, moȝen; moyane, -ann(e, -and, -ant, -ean; moyin(e, -ing; moyo(u)n(e, moyȝeoun, moyion; moyn(e, moin(e. Plur. moyennis, -anis, moynis, etc.; also moyance, -ence. [Late ME. and e.m.E. moyen (1440), moyne (1471), moene, MF. moien (mod. F. moyen), subst. use of moien adj., later form of meien Mene a.² Cf. also Myan(e n.¹]

1. A means, agency, method, arrangement (of or for effecting something, to bring something about, whereby something may be achieved, etc.).Also sometimes more or less pejorative, = an expedient, contrivance, shift, deceitful trick, and passing into: An opportunity.sing. (1) 1560 Tytler Hist. Scotland (1864) III. 398.
To haste a moyen whereby all men may be adjoined to this cause 1561 Q. Kennedy Compendious Ressonyng (ed.) 182/11.
Quhilk hevinlie sacrifice is ane cheif instrument, moyane and way quhairby [etc.] 1567 Reg. Privy S. V. ii. 381/1.
Sercheing the best and reddiest moyen how to recompence his said skaith 1568 Hosack Mary Q. of Scots I. 572. 1572 Sat. P. xxxi. 117.
[We] sall fynd the moyen that ȝour Majestie sall be quyte of him 1582 Crail B. Ct. 31 Aug.
Na wther moyand how the porte … may be repairit c1590 Fowler II. 76/33.
[The residence of the prince] is the onlye moyen that may mak the possessioun of that cuntrye of langar contenance and mair assured 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 120.
Als freelie has he found out this way and moyen … quhereby we may take hold on Christ 1594 Conv. Burghs I. 451.(2) 1568 Hosack Mary Q. of Scots 535.
Judging the same the maist commodious moyen to colour the murther interprisit Ib. 569. 1568 Anderson Collect. Mary I. 117.
I have had greater moyen to do it nor evir the will enterit in my harte 1569 Cal. Sc. P. III. 27.
Touart Dumbertane I leif na moyen unsocht to obteyn it 1570 Warrender P. (S.H.S.) I. 84.
Frome quhence the King hes best moyen and easiest to send his support 1573 Davidson Sat. P. xlii. 356.
Ane vther moyane we may se To haue the word preichit ouir all 1611-57 Mure True Crucifixe 81.
Now Sathan seeing hee did moyen lacke, Christ's comming in man's nature to keepe backe 1581-1623 James VI Poems II. 98/31.
A naile … As made our [Pyramus' and Thisbe's] moyen faile To speake of late c1590 Fowler II. 127/7.
Thow geveth him the moyen to be contented and appesed presentlye 1592 Mining Rec. 47.
… Thomas Foullis gouldsmyth hes fund out the ingine and moyane to caus melt and fyne the vris of mettallis 1596–7 Warrender P. (S.H.S.) II. 311.
Ye have a moyen be thir letters to correct his wilfulnes 1670 Aberd. Council Lett. V. 18.
Yow are to use all moyen and meines … to get diminissione of our proportione of the said ten merkes valuatione(3) 1572 Reg. Privy C. II. 157.
And that nane of thame use ony uther moyen or traffique for thair furnesing 1584 Misc. Bann. C. I. 87.
Quho ar the instrumentis … that makkis intelligence betuix thame and quhat privy moyen haif thai for convoying of thair letters to and fro 1595 Lanark B. Rec. 110.
Qwhat moyan can be obtenit at his hand for slaiking his ir(4) 1585 Cal. Sc. P. VIII. 125.
And now destitut of all uther moyen of releiffe your maiestis onle exceptit(5) 1568 Hosack Mary Q. of Scots I. 536.
His murther … wes … stayit … partlie in respect of ane other moyen, quhilk she practized vpoun Settirday at eftirnone 1581 Hamilton in Cath. Tr. (S.T.S.) 89/29.
Thay vse another moyan being frustrat of this former argument 1584 Sempill Sat. P. xlv. 827. 1585–6 Montgomery Mem. II. 227.
That we haid haid bettir moyand nor we haue haid 1596 Dalr. II. 169/35.
Bot quhen tha culd find na moyan be appne weiris, a trayne tha deuise 1629 Justic. Cases I. 99.
For cleiring of his innocencie of that ungodlie meayne and moyane [sc. sorcery, as a means towards riches]plur. (a) 1490 Irland Mir. I. 42/10.
Richtsua and thou will cum to paradice thou mon wse the moyans tharto 1590 Lett. Jas. VI to Bruce 283.
Quhilk give my advise had bene folowit … sould not have had the moyanis nor power to have utterit their evil will 1634 Soc. Ant. X. 269.
I sall not faill to seik all possible moyanes to fauorize your most just and worthie petitioun(b) 1559 Cal. Sc. P. I. 251.
Desirand at God at sum day He grant me moiens to recognost in your acht 1570 Leslie 73. 1586 Warrender Illustr. Sc. Hist. 24.
For that I see privat credict nor no moyens can alter thair determination 1586 Cal. Sc. P. IX. 10.
This forespokin mariage … the only moyens to draw the hoile Hamiltonis and Stewartis to the motheris devotion 1590 Bruces of Airth App. xcix.
To acquit als thankfullie as God sall give me the moyens 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 294.
He useth two moyens to obtain the victory 1592 Digest Justiciary Proc. 7.
Thair was sindrie moyens to performe that matter … be an inchantour pictor of wax [etc.] c1590 Fowler II. 113/17. 1600-1610 Melvill 413.
Now, plattes and courses ar wyslie leyit befor moyenes and meanes ar apointed to bring tham about 1614 Highland P. III. 172.(c) c1590 Fowler II. 149/7.
The moyings to deceaue his maister

b. (Be (by), also throuch, the) instrumentality (of a person or thing), by means or with the help (of).sing. 1456 Hay I. 268/24.
The armouris ar figurit the witnes … be the moyen of the quhilkis ilk ane … thinkis to prove his entencioune 1590 Crim. Trials I. ii. 203.
How sone ye gat your health, be the dewelisch moyan foirsaid c1590 Fowler II. 97/24.
And the Suisses be the lyke moyen … liues in a ful libertie 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. (1590) H. 3 b. (Jam.).
Alwaies yee see this conjunction is moyaned be twa speciall moyans, be the moyan of the Halie Spirit and be the moyan of faith Ib. I. 3 b. (Jam.).
Wee are conjoined and fastned vp with ane Christ bee the moyan … of ane spirite 1596 Dalr. II. 2/4.
A certane noble of the iles … helpet him with armour, men and meit, throuch quhais moyan … he occupiet thay boundesplur. 1581-1623 James VI Poems I. 23/83.
Haue he any good … From heauen, by mediat moyens, he it reaches c1590 Fowler II. 71/6.
Hou many sorts of gouerments they be, and be quhat moyens they ar procured 1659 Blairs P. 88.
And this all by the moyens of the prayor of Charterous

c. To mak, employ, say or use (a, the, all, one's, etc.) moyan (is, to take steps, make (the) arrangements, to use endeavours, to endeavour.Cf. sense 3 b.(1) 1580 Fam. Innes 139.
Sindrie lettres … quher the said Robert Ines … maid the moyan, sett the day and maid the aduertisment that nycht the lard of Ines … suld … performe the executtionis 1586 Douglas Chart. 289.
Caus mak all possible moyen for apprehensioun of the fugitiues 1604 Crim. Trials II. 435.
I maid my moyan to pleis his majestie 1608 M. Napier Mem. J. Napier 315.
And to that effect mead all the moyant they could to gather ther freinds c1616 Hume Orthog. 2.
In continent I maed moien hou to convoy this litle treates to your majesties sightplur. a1578 Pitsc. I. 193/12.
To sie quhat moyanis micht be maid thair foir helpe or support of the said Harie(2) 1590 St. Andrews B. Ct. 18 Sept.
Employit sic moyen and trawell for his defens as lay in his powar(3) 1594 Grant Chart. 185.
Sy ȝour moyane to maik me fyeff hondreth markis by then(4) 1674 Meikle Old Session Bk. 41.
The session … did intreat the minister to use his moyon to buy an good one [sc. bible] and for that end [etc.]

d. (To make, arrange) an arrangement, agreement or plot (with another, to effect something). 1567 Reg. Morton I. 29.
And the moyen sould haue be drawin be George to haue causet ȝow carey the Quene furth 1584 Sempill Sat. P. xlv. 222.
Were not his falsett was confesst And sic a moyen with him dresst 1615 Crim. Trials III. 312.
Ȝe … devyset all indirect … meanis and moyane for ȝour brek and escaipe furth of the said waird

e. Common in adv. phrases with be (by), as be all, no, this, quhat etc. moyan(ce.(1) 1566–7 Crail B. Ct. 29 Jan.
Culd nor can be no moyen aggre … thairupoun 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 10.
I wald haue that, be some moyen, in my handis a1578 Pitsc. I. 108/29.
Be quhat moyane sall I red me of this mischief 1581 Hamilton in Cath. Tr. 82/10.
To proffeit the commonueill be ony moyan 1587 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 32.
To hald hand thairto be yverie moyane and fortificatioun Ib. 33. c1590 Fowler II. 146/10.
The conqueshed will … by the same moyen mak thé companȝon of his fortoune 1596 Dalr. I. 1/13.
Be this moyan 1606 Irving Dumbartonsh. II. 197.
The … inundationes … can not be defendit … be nae moyane thair poor habilitie are hable to furneische 1608 Breadalbane Lett. 4 July.
Be ony priuat or oppin moyane(2) 1570 Leslie 137.
To seik be all moyance possible to haif the barne restorit to him c1590 J. Stewart II. 74/51.
Scho … be all moyens possible assayt Quhow that scho mycht [etc.]

f. ? Means of communication. g. ? Information. 1570 Leslie 231.
He … cuttit away all moyens, passages and intelligences betuix the fort and the castell a1578 Pitsc. I. 397/5.
It was not so quyitlie provyditt bott the lutennent had moyens thairof be certane spyis

2. Applied to persons: An agent or intermediary; a person acting on another's behalf or in his interests, an ‘instrument’. = Moyen(n)ar n.See also Midmoyen n. 1570 Warrender P. (S.H.S.) I. 96.
I wraitt to yow … be tua sindry moyans of the Lady Northumberlandis and laitle be ane servand of the lard of Craigmillaris 1596 Bk. Dunvegan I. 74.
Bot we war not so earnest and so bissie on the ane sid as the Lord Lovattis moyans wes on the toder syde 1601 Warrender P. (S.H.S.) II. 386.
That all sclanderous moins may be stopit that wald misinterprit me to your majestie 1626 Ancram & Loth Corr. I. 42.
This grite and inexpected alteratione in our sessione quho ar cheif moyeneis therof

3. Active agency, steps taken.By way of pre-arrangement or negotiation, intercession or exertion of influence, intervention or mediation, instigation or pressure.a. In the phrases be (also of, throuch, with, also without) (the) moyan(ce (of the person) or his, her etc. moyan(ce, chiefly on behalf of or in the interests of another or to some end desired by others.(1) 1563 Acts II. 538/2.
The Quenis maiestie hes be hir prudencie and moyene brocht certane strangearis of excellent ingyne within this realme 1568 Hosack Mary Q. of Scots I. 529.
He [was] convoyit to hir be the Lady Rires moyen 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 340.
Be his moyen and furthsetting I am dispossesseth of my whole leving 1574 Aberd. B. Rec. II. 14.
The saidis declairit tratouris, … sall nocht be … harbriit or intertenit be ws nor our moyen, … directly or indirectly 1576 Reg. Morton I. 83. 1578 Moysie 9.
Moyoune a1578 Pitsc. I. 51/7.
The Earle of Douglas, be quhais moyen and conwoy the haill realme … was gydit Ib. II. 3/23.
Scho [the Queen Mother] consentit and so did money of the lordis be hir moyan 1579 Reg. Privy C. III. 124.
[He] be sum moyne purchest new command to the said admirall-depute 1587 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 17.
Notwithstanding the said Jonet be the moyen of Partrick Leslie father of the said bairne … intending to convoy craftalie away the said bairne Ib. 38.
The Justice Clerk quha be Robertes moyane grantit to forther our bill 1589 Misc. Spald. C. II. 114.
Sic quantitie of fatt beif and muttoun … as possiblie ye may … furneueis of your awin or be your moyane 1590 Crim. Trials I. ii. 200.
Quhill at last, be lauborrous and moyane of vmq^le George, Erle of Cathanis, hir husband wes persuadit ressaue him home againe 1594 Facs. Nat. MSS. III. lxxv.
The just thrid pairt of quhatsoeuir poise or heid treasour the said Jhone sall find or beis fund be his moyan 1600-1610 Melvill 308.
The King, be the cancellaris counsell and moyen. was graitlie offendit 1608 Lett. & St. P. Jas. VI 128.
Be thair speciall moyane, diligence and industrie 1611 Reg. Panmure I. xxxi. 1615 Highland P. III. 214.
Gotten be the moyen and procurement of … Caddell 1627 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 260. 1631 Highland P. I. 324. a1634 Forbes Rec. 546. 1637 Baillie I. i.
I pray yow, if you can comand any copie, by your money or moyen, let me haue on[e] 1658 Lamont Diary 130.
By Generall Moncks moying a1658 Durham Comm. Rev. 149.
By Christs moyand and friendship 1674 Justiciary Ct. Rec. II. 209.
By the moine and means of these … with whom she committed the said crime 1689 Leven & Melv. P. 29.
Tis said your lo. will … by your single moien and advice fill all places 1689 Siege Castle Edinb. 51. 1693 Conv. Burghs IV. 177.
The missive … was by the intrest and moyand of the lord provost … stoped and delayed(2) 1533 Boece xv. xiiii. 600.
Williame Dowglas … be moyance of Johnne of Sanct Michaell slew Dauid Berclare knicht 1570 Leslie 248.
Moyence 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 150.
Marie … wes be the moyance and addres of the Duk of Northfolk … in reddines to haue cuming in Scotland a1578 Pitsc. I. 284/19.
Lord Home … convenit ane consall be his moyance of the maist pairt of the nobilitie at Edinburgh Ib. 331/10.
The gunneris corrupit be the Earle of Angus moyans 1609 Bk. Dunvegan I. 48.
Ilkane of thame be thair awin moyennis and diligence maye deill and travell with his majestie 1630 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 338.
To advance this our commone wealthe … ather be our counsall moyens or other wayes(3) 1568 Reg. Morton I. 36.
With hir moyen and … concurrens of the Erle of Murraye … the castell of Dunbartan salbe assegit 1568 Hosack Mary Q. of Scots I. 528.
Without his [Bothwell's] moyen na noblemen … had place of fre speiche with the Quene c 1653 Irvine Mun. II. 254.
I had him sedilt and brydilt and … with much moyion of Mestres Broune gatthe horse agean(4) 1568 Cal. Sc. P. II. 574.
With moyence and concurrence of the Erle of Murray(5) 1596 Dalr. II. 87/15.
Throuch the moyan and counsel of freindis restored to his kingdome 1606 Rollock's Thess. Dedication.
Through your care, moyen and expenses these lectures were collected … from the handes of these who wraite them from his mouth, by your moyen and procurement they were revised(6) 1603 Philotus lxxxvii.
Gif of hir moyen wee get ane meine, It war ane happie grace

b. To mak (also, to try, interpose or use) (one's, sic, sum, the) moyen(nis, to take steps, exert oneself, in these ways, as to negotiate, plead, intercede, exert influence, ‘apply pressure’ (with another, for the thing desired, for or to (= on behalf of) another, etc.). Cf. sense 1 c.(1) a1586 Maitland Ho. Seytoun 32.
He watit his tyme and maid sic moyane in the castell that he gat the said Lord George furth of the said castell a1578 Pitsc. I. 217/10. 1584 Sempill Sat. P. xlv. 800.
With Monsier then he moyen maid, Lamenting sair his lang abaid 1596 Highland P. I. 192.
Luiking according to the ressone of fleche that sum moyane sould be maid be freindis for me … at my lordis hand 1600 M. Napier Mem. J. Napier 309.
And to mak moyan to get the cunsall forbiden from [etc.] c1630 Scot Narr. 131.
Till … moyen were made even amongst the ministery for their advancement c1650 Spalding I. 9.
Inuerniss standing to thair innocencie maid moyan befoir the counsall 1683 Brown Paisley i. 311.
William Fyfe and the clerk to go to Glasgow and make moyan with the Bishop to be the town's friendplur. 1570 Leslie 27.
He maid sic moyennis with the principallis capitanis of the ilis … that [etc.] a1578 Pitsc. I. 331/25.
He caussit sindrie lordis and gentillmen to mak moyans witht the said captane … promissand to him great giftis(2) a1578 Pitsc. I. 165/17.
Thinkand na thing better nor they wald mak thair moyenis witht him 1597 Misc. Spald. C. I. 160.
Thow maid thy moyen with the clerk and sum vther memberis of that court and causit … extract the gryt dittey that [etc.](3) 1606 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV. 58.
That … nane of thame … sall heirefter … intertein gif counsell or releiff or mak moyen in ony sort to the said … fugitiwes 1636 Grant Chart. 451.
Made all the friendship and moyen for them that he could(4) 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 155.
The said Regent past to Dunbartane, and maid moyane for the castell thairof 1602 Stirlings of Keir 480.
This yung gentilman … hes villit me to mak my moyen for the saming 1678 Ib. 515.
The reasone off my long stay heare is to make moiene for aplace 1690 Dumbarton B. Rec. 100.
To make his moyn not only for the bygone stipend, [etc.](5) 1638 Henderson Serm. 453.
To try his moyen to see if he could hinder the work(6) 1643 St. A. Presb. 14.
To deale with my Lord Burghley for interposing his moyen for releasing Margaret B. 1678 Stirling B. Rec. II. 23.
To interpose ther moyane for suppressing the said fault 1683 Dunkeld Presb. I. 383.(7) 1683 Kirkcaldy B. Rec. MS. 8 July.
He hade used his uttmost endeavour and moying with uther commissioners

c. Moyane-maker, one who arranges or instigates, an instigator. 1580 Fam. Innes 139.
He suld eschew the bruitt and sklander of the moyane maker of the slauchter of his father

d. In other contexts (only in sing. form). (Passing into next sense.) 1583 Wemyss Corr. 79.
All the moyane and crydite I hef salbe extendit in the lairdis favour 1586 Rait & Cameron King James's Secret 49.
Yit the hoill papistis … had bendit thair fywe sensis and hoill moyen to put hir in the place [etc.] 1624 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 222.
If yea find him disposed use his moyen to my lord of St Androis 1630 Misc. Hist. Soc. I. 104.
I … lattis the laird af Jonstoun vse his awin moyen to that effect 1631 Linlithgow B. Rec. 26 Feb.
To assist baith with thair counsall and moyone 1636 Rutherford Lett. (1891) 135.
We are using our weak moyen and credit for you up at our own court, as we dow c1650 Spalding I. 43. 1686 Erskine Diary 175.
Anent using his moyen with one who was to make way for James Bruce 1685-8 Renwick Serm. 507. 1690 Cramond Kirk S. III. 18 Sept.

4. Influence, credit, standing, ascendancy (with or of (= over) a person etc., in a community etc., at or in court, etc., and as exerted to some end).Be (also through) moyan, by the exertion of influence (also, of court).Also, corrupt or improper influence, as exercised by wire-pulling, bribery or the like.(1) 1568 Buch. Indict. 34.
That nane bot he had aythar credyt or moyen to do ony thing at hir handis 1586 Cal. Sc. P. IX. 228.
Of the ministers of Scotland, of ther inclination to sedicions, of ther moyan and power in the country c1590 Fowler I. 308/12.
These who gaped and gripped be thair moyen to preferment and promotioun 1591-2 Rob Stene 2.
Moyan and micht comptrolling law 1592 Maxwell Mem. II. 167.
The beirar hes lettiris to be raisit at the advocatis instance, with quhome he hes na moyoun and vnacquentit 1593 Ib. 171.
I feir I speid nocht, the caws is swa vechttie withowtt greitt moyand 1603 Misc. Spald. C. II. 281.
So far as our power abilitie or moyen may extend c1610 Jok Uplandis Newis 2 a.
A man of witt knowledge learning and good moyan Ib. 9 a.
Then qhom to shall we goe that hes anie moyan that favores us 1616 Aberd. B. Rec. II. 337.
Of greatest moyen with the lordis 1628 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 291.
They vaunt of thair numbers credite … and moyen that they have of these about his majestie 1635 Dickson Hebrews 194.
Seeing wee haue … accesse unto heaven … and so great moyen by Christ before us there 1639 Aberd. B. Rec. III. 166. 1642 Aberd. Council Lett. II. 335.
Mr James Forbes … being a man of gude moyen at the court of France c1650 Spalding I. 20. Ib. 59, 295.
For his moyan of the Erll of Morray 1643 Carnock Kirk S. in Row xxiii.
Moying 1660 Stirling B. Rec. I. 234.
Much moyan and means are useing for that effect 1669 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. III. 640.
She having moyane with on of the baillies … caused put him in prissone 1669 Kirkcaldy B. Rec. MS. 21 June.
That all ther meins and moȝen they had with him could not dissuade him therfra 1680 Cloud of Witnesses 37.plur. a1586 Maitland Ho. Seytoun 30.
The said Alexander Seytoun … had sic moyanis of the said Gelis that sche resignit all hir landis(2) 1584 Calderwood IV. 157.
For as everie one hath moyen at court 1600 Conversion Lady Waristoun xxviii.
My father's moen at court 1615 Sutherland Corr. 113.
What moyen wald we haif at court if ye wer not thair a1650 Row 463.
Using moyen at court to gaine it Ib. 105.(3) a1650 Row 21.
By such moyen as they had in court 1664 Pitcairn Spiritual Sacrifice 47.
Joseph, your brother, liveth; he hath moyen in court, ye shall not starve(4) 1579 Reg. Privy C. III. 144.
In cais it be taikin fra him be thair weikit moyne and pretences 1605 Acts Sederunt i. 61.
The places of justice … are obtained be corruption and filthie moyan in such cases of buying and selling 1631 M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. I. 319.
Their proces before the commissaries might be, by favour or moyen, sooner brought to an end than [etc.] 1638-54 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 35.
If any by solistation or moyen, directly or indirectly, prease to enter in the said office 1642 Lesmahagow Ann. 152.
That Margaret Weire, his daughter, in time of trubbles had through moyane stolne out a decreit against him c1650 Spalding I. 241. Ib. 21.
He is careit throw Be moyan to be canonist in forme foirsaid Ib. II. 3. a1651 Calderwood (1678) 243.
By moyen he [Bothwell] got presence of the King in the garden a1658 Durham Commandments 242.
As by biting usury, forging of writs, by moyen and buds 1660 Dunkeld Presb. I. 338. 1665 Inverness Rec. II. 226.
Nothing … that could be done either be law or moyine ? 1663–9 Sel. Biog. I. 136.
Even at that time some few by moyen were suffered to enter the ministrie without conformity ?c1675 J. Gordon Hist. III. 197. 1685 Macfarlane's Geog. Coll. III. 89.(5) 15.. Cochran-Patrick Coinage I. 98.
Ane Inglischmane … be moyen of cowrte was appointed maister coinyeour 1581 Aberd. B. Rec. II. 42.
Be moyanne of court, sinister … informatioun hes purchest ane gift [etc.] 1587–8 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 14.

5. The resources at one's disposal for effecting some object; esp. pecuniary resources, finances, funds, means of support, provision; also, military resources, military power. plur. and sing.plur. (a) 1547–8 Corr. M. Lorraine 213.
We have all reddy sic moyance bayth off force off men off wyr strangerreris and mony with all wthyris munitiones necessaires 1549–50 Balcarres P. 309.
I seik bot ane lyf and to haif the moyance to serve … my natife princes 1569 Reg. Morton I. 49.
Thai will seik all moyance, princes and all nationis to thair support befoir the samen pas vnrevengit 1598 Reg. Episc. Brechin II. 375.
[He] hes not sufficient moyance and prouisioun for serveing the cure of the foirnamet kirks 1622 Perth Kirk S. MS. 23 May. c 1627 Craven Ch. in Orkney II. 152.
He has not ane helper nor moyans to intertaine ane(b) 1565 Cal. Sc. P. II. 192.
[For she is not] sa laich borne of hir self nor yit hes sa small moyens in other partes 1586 Ib. VIII. 405.
Cause send hither sum moyens for the long delay hes spendit a gryt deall to me c1590 Fowler II. 90/8.
Provyding that they be not disprovyded of such moyens that ar requeiseit baith for viuers and defense 1611 Lett. & St. P. Jas. VI 200.
In aduancing be moiens and priuæ ledges this … most renoumed vniversitee 1630-1651 Gordon Geneal. Hist. 104.
And although they were borne to small moyens by birth(c) 1612 Anal. Scot. II. 285.
Concerning the moynis and muuabells quhich my father left behind him 1630 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 329.
Concerning thes moynes destinat for your … schoolessing. (a) 1560 Misc. Bann. C. I. 234.
As the Kirk decays in moyane and meanes 1581 Misc. Spald. C. II. .
Vnto the tyme I may haue sum moyann by selling off my wictuall to mak new furnessingis 1594 Colville Lett. 264. 1596 Lett. & St. P. Jas. VI 15.
Gif his maieste send me moyane to bye in tym 1597 Rec. Old Aberd. 18. 1599 Acts IV. 186/1.
And how that the default of moyane hes bene ane greit lat … to his majestie 1603 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. II. 25. 1605 Glasgow Prot. II. 119.
That sum ressonabill moyan and rent, by and besyd the auld rent, be providit 1606 Craig ii. 113.
O were my moyane equall to my minde 1612 Brechin Test. II. 232.
The said George … spent ane gryt part of his moyane 1614 Edinb. Biblio. Soc. Publ. I. (1892–3) 4.
Andro Hart … hes be … adventuring of his haill moyane and credite advancet the airt of printing 1619 Crim. Trials III. 473. 1622-6 Bisset I. 110/6. 1629 Bk. Islay 381.
Upon thair awne moyane, chargis and expensis(b) 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 131.
Without me they had nather the knowledge, wisdome, nor moyen to performe the same 1580 Reg. Privy C. III. 316. 1582 Conv. Burghs I. 156.
Becaus the commissioners … hes nocht sic moyen … to aduance the said sovme 1585 Laing MSS. I. 52. 1587 Irvine Mun. I. 74.
Quhat sowmes and moyen wald help the saymen 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 260.
When nature and all natural moyen hath left us, then we run … to the Word 1593 Aberd. B. Rec. II. 84. 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 193/5.
Uaine cairteris and dyceris that uaistis thaire moyen & thaire tyme … upon … playing 1600 Hamilton Facile Tr. Pray. 26.
The rest lyes vnprentit, for laigh of moyen 1603 Aberd. Eccl. Rec. 26. 1600-1610 Melvill 44.
Sa far as his small moyen might reak Ib. 189.
To haiff na guid roum or moyen of lyff preparit for them in Kirk or comoun-weill 1614 Haddington B. Rec. (Robb) 30 Nov.
And he to furneis the rest of the mettell to that effect, and that be his awin moyen 1626 Garden Worthies 111.
When the force of foes did most affront thé There moien most & thine was att the meanest a1651 Calderwood VI. 203. 1632 Prognostication.
Lest they turne their owne moneyes and moyen into vapour c1650 Spalding II. 497.
Not for moyen or reddy money to be haid 1664 Pitcairn Spiritual Sacrifice 372. 1693 Irvine Deeds MS.
Upon the propper charges moyen and expences of the sd John Gray(c) 1563–4 Edinb. B. Rec. III. 177.
The said Beatrix … hes na vther moyin to wyn hir leving [etc.](d) 1584 Acts III. 325/1.
Without ony moyoun of support 1604 Shetland Sheriff Ct. (ed.) 123.
Without moyȝeoun to susteine themselff(e) 1605 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 239.
Thair ministeris meane moyand and stipend(f) 1629 Lowther's Jrnl. 44.
Moyne, money

6. A mean between two extremes. = Mene n.¹ a1586 Lindsay MS. 73.
The hatt of irne … is the moyene betuen the thingis hie and law