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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
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Stoup, Stop(e, n.¹ Also: stoupe, stoupt, stowp(e, stoop(e, stolp, stoip, stoyp(e, stoap, stoppe, stup(e, stupie, steip, stape, stub(i)e, stuby, stoobie. [ME and e.m.E. stoppe (c1340), stowp(e (a1397), stope (1411), stop (1419), stoup(e (1574), stoope (1589), stoape (1591), ON staup, OE stéap, stoppa, MDu. stoop, MLG stôp.]

1. A vessel for holding, chiefly, liquids; a cask, bucket, pitcher or the like.Some examples may belong in 2.(a) 1378 Rot. Sc. II 7/2.
Diversa vasa de peweter, worstedes, sellas, cagettes, stopes, et botes de corio [to be bought in London] 1490 Treas. Acc. I 175.
To serve the king, a water stop of siluer 1496 Treas. Acc. I 310.
For ij tyn stopis to the king, to mak seruice in the chamir, xviij s. 1499 Glasgow Dioc. Reg. II 26.
A tangis, a ladile, a tyn stop, and iiij formys 1531 Treas. Acc. V 460.
Item to the cowper … for twa bukkettis and ij stopis 1552–3 Edinb. Old Acc. II 10.
For ane croce band of irne and ane lok and ane pype to the watter stop 1553 Old Ross-shire I 264.
Ane bassing and lavyr of tyn … sex fine tyned stopes 1595 Duncan App. Etym.
Amphora, a stope 1616 Orkney & Zetl. Sheriff Ct. 65b.
The fald quhair the said Katherine sett doun hir stop to milk hir kow 1659 Banks Sc. Cal. Customs I 165.
Cathrine … confessed that sche did cast the fairne wispe that stopped the stope into the firre(b) 1579, 1617 Despauter (1579).
Ampulla olearia, ane vlie stoip(c) 1562 6th Rep. Hist. MSS App. 647/2.
Sex stoppis of tin dowbill handit 1590 Edinb. Test. XXI 311b.
Sax tin stoppis for oyllis veyand ane pund xiiij vnce at v s. the pund(d) 1576 Orkney Oppress. 72.
Certain tyn cannis and tiem stoupis 1607 Edinb. Test. XLIII 46b.
Ane tin stoup with ane stroup price xx s. 1643 Strathendrick 5.
She brought home some water in a stoup for the cattell and did cast it upon them, and that shee left behind her a plack a1646 Wedderburn Voc. (1709) 8.
Amphora, a stoup or can 1663–9 Sel. Biog. I 162.
Ane big tinn stoup full of hot water, whereby ane sweat was procured 1681 Laing MSS 424.
Wifes with broken peeces of piggs, trunchers, caps and stoups … did bait and bruse the Kings souldiers 1684 Craven Ch. in Orkney 111.
Ane great stoup … [for] carreing water to the steeple heid 1696 Household Bk. Gr. Baillie 166.
For a water stoup with yron girths, £1 8 s. 1708 Black Orkn. & Shetl. Folklore 134.
He saw Kathrine Brown … empty a stoup of water in the above mentioned slap(e) a1500 Colk. Sow i 233.
Fergy flitsy ȝeid befoir Chiftane of that cheif chak A ter stowp on his bak 1640 Rec. Old Aberd. I 69.
That the haill crem stowpis in auld Aberdeen salbe brocht to the cross 1641 Edinb. Test. LIX 269.
Certane lame veshellis viz. chafferis … frying pigis … drying stowps laweris blak and browne cannis(f) 1649–50 Aberd. Shore Wk. Acc. 322.
Arryvit ane Dain fra Norroway with 900 dealls treis spars watter stoopis quherof I receivit 18 dealls 12 stoipis(g) 1477 Aberd. B. Rec. I 408.
Foure stupis 1656–7 Peebles B. Rec. II 198.
For four eshe stupes

b. specif. A vessel of a particular sort. 1575 Edinb. Test. III 319.
In his buith … tua cleister stoupis of ane chopin 1636 Edinb. Test. LVII 279b.
Twa saltfattis and ane mustard stoup

c. A water-container used for various purposes in religious ritual. 1498 Glasgow Dioc. Reg. II 67.
Le haly water styk et stop 1553–4 Edinb. Old Acc. II 28.
For ane tyne stoip for the watter to the mes 1681 Craven Ch. in Orkney 85.
Ane ewer or handsome pewter stoop … for … carrieing water to baptisms

d. attrib. or comb. With range (Range n.² a sieve). 1646 Edinb. Test. LXI 237.
Ane dussone of stoup ranges; pryce of all xi s.

2. A vessel containing liquid for drinking; a drinking vessel; a tankard, cup, flagon.Some examples may belong in 1.(1) 1474 Acta Aud. 31/1.
A grete dosane of pewder weschel and xx tyn stopis 1501–2 Treas. Acc. II 78.
To Sir Andro M^cBrek to dispone to pur folkis … for xxx stopes and xxx coyggis to thaim 1512 Treas. Acc. IV 186.
Item, for lxiij treyne platis, alsmony treyne stopis [etc.] 1534 Treas. Acc. VI 198.
ij brasin banȝeis for the copburd to put stopis in 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1953.
I sall sit heir … till I haue tumde the stoup 1559–60 Misc. Spald. C. V 112.
For ii gallounis of wyne to my lord Huntlie, and ane pynt to fill the stoppis witht, 1 lib. 2 s. 8 d. a1570-86 Balnaves in Maitl. F. 358/77.
Within that stowp fra tyme thow sowp 1587 Dundee B. Laws 476.
The peuderer [is to make] stouppis, plettis and trunscheris 1590 Digest Justiciary Proc. M 18.
Stowpe 1597 Misc. Spald. C. I 146.
Bringing to the said Bessie, … of milk in ane stope 1589–1600 Skipper's Acc. (Morton) 61b.
Stopes and pletis xxv Ss. 1603 Anc. Prophecies 19.
Stoope 1607 Crim. Trials II 536.
At ilk tyme quhan he liftit the stoupe, … to spaik thir woirdis: I lift this watter, in the name of the Father [etc.] 1612–13 Misc. Spald. C. V 87.
Stoupe 1681 Colvil Whig's Suppl. (1681) i 50.
We do not … drink in taverns till we stagger, where some throw stoops, and others glasses 16… Sempill P. 69/70.
Brandie in stoups and in caps 16… Nat. Lib. MS 22. 2. 11 last p.
[A receat for the trembling fivers.] Stope the muth of the stoupe with a cloath, and syth it through a clean cloath And when they are to drink it warm the stoupe everie time and let them ly in ther bed and hold them selves warme with it(b) 1636 Edinb. Test. LVII 279b.
Stoobies 1646 Edinb. Test. LXI 267b.
Thrie tin stubeis for flous(2) a1500 Sir Eger 2263.
The eldest brother yeed on hy, And brought in soon a stowp of wine a1540 Freiris Berw. 66 (M).
Dame fill ane stoip of aill That we may drink 1590 Crim. Trials I ii 196.
Send … to him … ane stoip of guid aill with breid and cheis(3) 1643 Edinb. Test. LX 236b.
Aucht littell anckeris or drinking stoups 1643 Edinb. Test. LX 280b.
Ane tanker stoupe pryce thairof xvj s. 1661 Thomson The Churches Comfort (1706) 12.
The ale-stoup 16… Jon Come Kisse me Now in Wode's Psalter (ed.) 248.
Wyfs can toome the full vyne stowp

b. specif. A fine drinking vessel of precious metal, etc. or as used by a king, etc.(a) 1455–1477 Misc. Bann. C. III 191.
Silver stoope with sex stoppis inclusit 1478–9 Acta Conc. I 26/2.
A pare of flakonis of siluer a stope of siluer gilt a cop withe a covir of siluer gilt 1504–5 Treas. Acc. III 127.
To Alexander Kers to lous the kingis stope quhilk wes tane quhen he wes Abbot of Unresoun 1506 Orkney & Shetl. Rec. I 248.
I leiffe to my Ladye Syncler my myd stope of silver wyth twelffe stoppis inclusit in the samen. Item, I leife to the sone … of Henre, Lord Synclar, my best silver stope with sex stoppis inclusit in the samen 1506–7 Treas. Acc. III 364.
Ane stope and ane flacat silvir brocht hame be Maister James Merchamestoun, with thair cases 1508 Treas. Acc. IV 128.
Tua punsit stopes of silvir wer giffin to the king be the beschop of Murray 1511 Treas. Acc. IV 532.
Ane of the gret silvir stopis contenand xj pundis 1½ unce 1533 Treas. Acc. VI 179.
Stolpis 1537 Treas. Acc. VI 465.
Item, gevin for wyne stopis to the kingis schip iiij frs. x s. 1538 Treas. Acc. VII 35.
For the … ourgiltin of four stowpis twa flaconis and uthir sindry weschel 1539 Treas. Acc. VII 196.
Ane silver stolp for inbringing of the kingis collatioun 1568 Hay Fleming Q. Mary 512.
Ane littill silver stoupe 1590 Nat. Lib. MS 34. 2. 17 21.
Thre stoupis double ourgilt weyand fourscoir xv wnce half wnce and half quarter wnce 1657 Montgomery Mem. 320.
Stoapes(b) 1591 Misc. Spald. C. III 160.
Ane siluer steip(c) 1562 6th Rep. Hist. MSS App. 649/1.
Ane stupie gilt with gold 1579 Edinb. Test. VII 117b.
Twa how silver stubeis ordinit for drinking of beir 1617 Edinb. Test. XLIX 223.
Ane silwer stubie for beir 1637 Edinb. Test. LVIII 243.
Ane silver stuby

c. In Post-Reformation religious ritual, the flagon or similar vessel containing the communion wine prior to distribution. 1633 S. Leith Rec. 23.
Ordained to attend the tables … to beare the coupes … for the braid … & them that serves the tables to beare the stoupes 1636 Rep. Maxwell-Stuart Mun. 34.
I propose to prouide … a challis … a basen to receiue the offerings … and twoe stoopes to bring the wine to the altar 1643 Elgin Rec. II 244.
[Six] elders to wait on the doores for the tiketes and to serue the tables and Alexander Russell, elder, to wait one the stoupes 1689 Dunkeld Presb. II 80.
Carriers of the cups, … carriers of the stoups 1690 Cramond Kirk S. III 7 Aug.
John Johnstoun and Thomas Wells wer appointed to carry the stoupes

d. A quantity of drink amounting to the fill of a stoup, = Stoupfull n. 1686 Short Accoumpt Earl Argyls Invasion 1685.
O bloody pack! Ye have hew'd downe a stoup; Ye have brought upon your selves confusion in your cup

3. a. A vessel of a particular size, capable of being used as a measure for a particular quantity, usu. of liquid. b. With specification as to its size. c. The individual vessel used as a standard measure in a particular town. d. The standard volume measured by such a vessel, esp. that of Stirling. Also applied to a quantity of a commodity. Also attrib. e. The Flemish stoop, equal to two pints.a. 1473 Prestwick B. Rec. 23.
That dai the balȝeis to mak thar countis, and the stoupis to be bro^t. to se thar measour 1554–5 Soc. Ant. LXXII 227.
That ilk mesour haif ane tapoun an inche beneith the lip and the stop to be just mesour to the tapoun 1554–5 Ayr B. Acc. 122. 1565 Linlithgow Sheriff Ct. 3 May.
With power to byrne the just stoup with ane birning irne and the iniust stoup to brek 1573–4 E. Loth. Antiq. Soc. VII 79.
For tua stoipis of the mesour of Stirling 1580–1 Glasgow B. Rec. I 83.
Aggreit to … vse the mesour of stoipis according to the jug mett 1589 Glasgow B. Rec. I 137.
All sortis of stopis baith tyn and treyn, [to] be brocht to the tolbuith and thair to be mesurit and markit be the maister of werk 1613 Dundee B. Laws 151.
All stowpes that sall be tryed and fund … disagrieable with the joug shall be broken 1614 Inverurie 196.
That na brewster saill aill with ony met, lowme, stoup or coig, bat with sick as ar seilit with the cowmond seill of the town 1638 Banff Ann. I 82.
The cuparis making of all sort of measures sic as firlotis, peckis, coggis, stouppis and wtheris veschellis of trie off dyvers and sindrie quanteteis altogidder disconform to the trew and just measures 1660 Wedderburn Bk. II 44.
Ane stand of stowpes comprehending ane quart pynt chopin and mutskin stoups 1696 Darien P. 37.
Timber stoups or ship cans of quarts and upward(b) 1581 Thomson Hist. Dundee 270.
That the provost bailȝeis, … seik all steipis, firlattis, half-boll mettis [etc.]b. (1) 1502 Treas. Acc. II 295.
Ane tyn quart and ane poynt stopes c1500-c1512 Dunb. (STS) xl 26.
Off wyne owt of ane choppyne stowp, They drank twa quartis, sowp and sowp 1513 Treas. Acc. IV 490.
Half gallone stopis, price of the pece xij d. … quart stoppis, price of the pece vj d. … pyntis stopis, price of the pece iiij d. 1526–7 Edinb. B. Rec. I 230.
A quart stop of tyn, ii pyntis and a chopin, viii plaittis, v dischis [etc.] 1530 Balmerino and L. Chart. ii 31.
Stoippis 1538 Treas. Acc. VII 121.
Deliverit to hir to by ane pynt stolp to Lady Jane to bring in hir collatioune witht 1567 Edinb. Test. I 12b.
Thre choppin stowp of tyn and twa muchkynis of tyn 1580 Coll. Aberd. & B. 391.
Stoppe 1598 Murray Early B. Organ. II 149.
[The plenishing of an ordinary house was] … nine pewter plates, a pewter pint stoup, two quart stoups and a pint stoup of timber [etc.] 1602 Dundonald Par. Rec. 14.
Kaithrein brocht to hir ane portioun of cleir wattir and that in ane choping stoup 1633 Banff Ann. I 70.
Ane tine choppin stoupt wherof the names … war brunt off be ane tayngis 1638 Reg. Great S. 315/1.
To mark and stamp all firlottis … quart-stoupis, pynt, chopein and mutchekin stoupis 1646 Edinb. Test. LXII 68b.
Ane bulget Inglishe pynt stoupe 1663 Inv. Ld. J. Gordon's Furniture
Stoypes 16… Nat. Lib. MS 22. 2. 11 last p.
Take the suggar and the cannall … and put it in intill a pint stoupe … and let it sok all the day(2) 1671 Melrose Reg. Rec. II 281.
Ane pynt stope full of hunie 1678 Argyll Justic. Rec. I 89.
Ane fyve pynt stop full of sheep and goats bones 1691 Cramond Kirk S. III ?27 Dec.
They saw Jean Smith in time of sermon carrying a pint stoup full of aill … into her housec. 1527–8 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 232.
That the pynt stowpe of Dalkeyth be send for, and that … men mesoure the vther commoun pynts of this towne and of Striueiling with that pynt 1552 Conv. Burghs I 5.
The saidis prouestis of Edinburch and Striueling presentit and producit the commoun stope and eluand … and offerit the mesouris thairof to all the commissinaris of borrowis 1567 (c1607) Dundee B. Laws 148.
The stowpis and firlotts accustomablie keiped be the Deane of Gild 1614 Edinb. B. Rec. VI 116.
Ane water met for peise and rye contening twenty thrie pynts [etc.] … conforme to the braysin stowpe 1618 Aberd. Council Lett. I 164.
For ressaving from the magistratts of these burrowes the firlott and stup with the les measures thairof 1619 Inv. Edinb. City Charters MS 1 Sept.
[Certificate of delivery of the wet measure] jugg & stoup [by Linlithgow to Edinburgh] a1733 Soc. Ant. XXVI 199.
Adjusting of bismers with the stoups, cans, and other mets and measuresd. (1) 1552 Conv. Burghs I 2.
Just mesouris, viz.; the stane wecht of Lanark, the pynt stope of Striuiling [etc.] 1565 Linlithgow Sheriff Ct. 4 Oct.
Gret falt within the schire anent thair mettagis of stoup pek and firlot 1587 Acts III 521/2.
As to the firlot … to haif bene of auchtene pyntis, having tryit … the same … in quantitie and wecht be the said stoipe of Stirling [etc.] 1603 Conv. Burghs II 157.
That ilk brugh … caus mak … all thair mesouris of stovpeis of quart, pynt [etc.] … conformeable to the jadge and stovpe of Sterling 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. ii 139.
Ilk salmon barrell sall contein twelue gallons of the samine stoup 1618 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. II 227.
The act of parliament anentis mesouris wechtis elnis and stoppis Item all mesouris sould be conformit to the mesour ane firlot of Linthgow [sic] quhilk contenis tuentie ane pyntis [etc.](2) 1680 Foulis Acc. Bk. 31.
To Tom Bannatine to pay the dewes for making a stoop of malt at Gorgie milnes 1681 Foulis Acc. Bk. 92.
To Gorgiemilns maltman to drink for making 2 stoops maltattrib. c1420 Wynt. iv 1555 (C).
Off golde ryngis … Tane of thar fyngeris … three bollis stape met [E.², A. stop mett]e. c1390-1434 Sc. Merchandise (ed.) 119.
xvj stope makis a cester and xxij cester makis a ton of wyne … the ton at xxv scheldis, the pynte at xviij mitis iij quarter c1390-1434 Sc. Merchandise (ed.) 120.
It is to wyt a generale rewle that fore how mony scheldis that the ton of wyne is bocht, that alsmony mytis & half mitis the stope is at

4. ? The shape of a flagon or pitcher or the like used as a watermark in paper. 1582 Edinb. Test. XI 139.
Ane rym & ane half of paper of the stoupe at xxx s. the rym … half ane rym of paper of the hand price xij s.

5. attrib. 1489 Acta Conc. I 131/1.
A weschale almery … a stop comptour — 1496 Treas. Acc. I 321.
For five vnce of siluir of maid werk in a stop lid of the kingis, iij li. iij s. — 1581 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. I 142.
Fyne pewdir and … stowp pewdir 1625 Brechin Test. IV 178b.
Tua tin vatter potis veyand sewinten pund half stop mettell and fourten pund half flanderis mettell 1639 Edinb. Test. LIX 55b.
Fyne tyn … stoup tyne 1643 Edinb. Test. LX 349b.
Stoup pewther pryce of the pund vj s. viij d. … plait pewther at ten s. the pund