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

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
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Wil(l, v.¹ Also: wil(l)e, wyl(l, wylle, vil(l, ville, vyl(l, uil(l, weile, we(y)ll, wol(l(e, wooll, (i)ll, il, ‘ll, ‘le. 2nd pers. also wilt. Pres. p. also wilnande, wlland, willan, -ene, wol(l)yne, welleng. P.t. wald(e, wauld, waild, vaild, vald(e, uald(e, (warld); wall, wad(d, vad, waud, wayd, wade, wold(e, vold, w(o)uld, woolde, voild, wyld, (vyld); wud, wod, wou’d, woute, vid. 2nd pers. also wald(y)st, -est, woldst, wolt. [ME and e.m.E. wille, wulle (both c1175), uole (a1275), wolle (1297), wil(l (Cursor M.), wol (c1350), wel (c1425), wyl(e (14th c.), wyllenex (c1430), wooll (a1436), wal (1436), woll (c1440), wele (c1450), ‘le (?14th c), ‘l (1602), ‘ll (1623). 2nd pers. also wilt, wult, etc. Pl. will(en, etc. Coalesced forms wultu (a1225), willy (a1300), wilbe (c1440). P.t. wald(en (c1175), wollde (Orm), wolde, wuld(e (both c1250), wold (Cursor M.), walld (a1352), wod (c1469), would (a1500), woold (1548), waude (1564-78), wawd (1581), wud (1620), wou’d (1663), OE *willan (pres. wille, p.t. wolde, Anglian walde), OFris. willa, MDu. willen, ON vilja (p.t. vilda).]Also found as one word in the combinations wilbe, waldbe, etc.

A. Will, used as a main verb and as an auxiliary verb.

1. As a main verb: To desire, wish for, want, occas. with implication of intention or purpose. a. tr.With simple object. b. With clause object. Quot. K. Hart may belong in 2, with the particular sense of ‘bequeath’. See also Wil(l v.² c. With to and infinitive. See also Willing pres. ppl. d. intr.Const. weill with a person as indirect object: To wish (one) well.Also in collocation with Nil(l v. 2, q.v. for examples.a. c1420 Wynt. vi 2156.
Makduff sayd I will no mare c1420 Wynt. vii 1553.
Til thi legis will thow oucht mare? All tyme yha that thai welle fare c1420 Wynt. ix 3205.
At the countyre quhat wil ye mare 1456 Hay I 203/24.
The preste suld erar will that na his awin lyf 1513 Doug. iii vii 43.
Quhat wil [Ruddim. wyl] ȝe mair? quhen we behuffyt depart, Terys brysting furth … To thame I said [etc.] 1567 G. Ball. 128.
Thow will [D. wilt] nocht sic auarice 1566-70 Buch. Comm. on Virgil Æn. v 418.
Idque probat, will the same 1570 Conv. Burghs I 19.
Caus the same [letters] be execute … as thai will the regarid of thair commoun weillis a1586 Lindsay MS 39b.
Gif ye will [Loutfut MS 42a, wil wit] mair heirof demand the auld harrauldisb. 1375 Barb. i 508.
Sen ȝe will it be swa I will blythly apon me ta The state 1375 Barb. vii 144 (C).
I will That ȝhe ga forrow vs quhill [etc.] a1400 Leg. S. iv 140.
That thu kene clergy, I will ȝete c1420 Wynt. i Prol. 83.
And for I wyll nane bere the blame Off my defawte [this] is my name c1420 Ratis R. 1610.
God wyll nocht He be forȝet … He wyll thai knaw His maieste; … Bot ȝhit for al that He can do [etc.] a1500 Seven S. 1749.
Schir, will ȝe I dreme this nycht a1500 K. Hart 908.
Grein Lust, I leif to thé [etc.] … Ȝouthheid, becaus that thow my barneheid kend, To Wantounnes ay will I that thow bow a1500 Prestis of Peblis 111 (A).
And now I will ȝe wit with deligens Quharfor that I [etc.] 1545 Douglas Corr. 155.
The guvernour and lordis … ville nocht that me lord leuttenent sal see ther commission 1558 Deeds (Reg. H.) III 40.
Willand that the said Duncane be nocht alluterlie disherisit of his heritage 1560 Rolland Seven S. 2536.
Ȝit He will not thairfoir ȝe perischit be, Bot lent ȝow grace ȝour sinnis heir repent(b) 1556 Prot. Bk. Sir A. Gaw 39 marg.
Jhon Vemys declarit Elizabeth vil that Vilȝam and his vif sal have the stra simpliciter John Vemis with my handc. 1562-3 Winȝet I 31/32.
Swa He wyll but dout His belouit to obserue the ordinance of His haly kirk 1563 Conv. Burghs I 528.
To will her Grace to nominat to thame the man [etc.]d. 1513 Doug. Direct. 97.
I will weill otheris can [Ruddim. I will thame weill can [etc.]] say mair curyusly But I haue said eftir my fantasy

2. tr.In the expression of an authoritative intention: To ordain, decree. b. With non-material subject: To demand, require, ? permit. 1375 Barb. i 160.
Gyff God will that it sa be c1379 MacRae Early Sc. Texts No. 1.
I will at the landys be haldyn eftyr the tenovr of the ald charterys … in the wytnes of the qvylk … I haf set my seyll 14.. Burgh Laws c. 59 (B).
The iustyce may nocht set day attoure xv days agayne his wyl that askys lauch bot gyfe he wyl & graunt it a1423 (1431) Reg. Great S. 44/2.
We will that … Patrik be payit [etc.] 14.. Reg. Maj. c. 166.
Gif it be done in the contrar we wyl it be again callit 1449–50 Glasgow Chart. I ii 28.
The qwhilkis we wyll nocht that thai extend to mak ony … lattyng to the fredom and kyrk of Glasgu a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 145.
Than said the syre of the saill … 'I will na vittale be sauld your senyeour vntill.' ‘That is at your avne will,’ said wourthy Gawane 1492 Reg. Cupar A. I 254.
We wil … that the said Andro Currour … jois and bruyk the said botht 1494 Reg. Episc. Morav. 219.
Uil 1496–7 Acta Conc. II 49.
The Lordis of Consale … willand and declarand … that [etc.] 1521 Maxwell Mem. I 247.
I vil grantis and promittis that the said Georgis [etc.] … sal browyke joys and manwr pecepbil … the forsaid landis … in assedacion of me 1566-70 Buch. Comm. on Virgil Georgics ii 307.
Regnat, dois quhat it will c1575 Balfour Pract. 638.
That na persoun be prejudgit of his richt we will that the masteris … bring the … shippis [etc.]b. a1400 Leg. S. xviii 653.
Rycht & resone wil that I [etc.] c1420 Wynt. viii 4991.
Fortowne, thowcht scho fald fekilly, Will noucht at anis myscheffis fall

3. With infinitive without to (cf. l c above): To wish, desire, have a mind, seek to do (something), freq. with the intention of fulfilling the implied desire. b. Where the subject describes a type of person so introducing a contingent element. a1400 Leg. S. iv 133.
Quhy wil ȝe [nocht] now Tak phylet and reweng ȝow? c1420 Wynt. vii 55.
On fwte at lykyng thow may lycht Or on hors gyve thow will be As thé thynk best c1420 Wynt. viii 5190.
On qwhat manere Will yhe ryn at this justyng here? Wyth plate scheldis sayd Ramsay a1500 K. Hart 895.
For I will dispone of my thesaure Vpon this wyse mak I my testament a1500 Bk. Chess 620.
Will thow thi wyf cheis weile To the gud moder douchter se thow go c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 118/98.
In die mee sepulture I will nane haif bot our awne gyng 1513 Doug. iv x 83.
Quhy wilt thou not fle spedely be nycht Quhen forto haist thou hes laser? 1562-3 Winȝet I 24/28.
Sen now al men wilbe theologis a1568 Bann. MS 158a/41.
Quhen his maister cryis hors and to the fair will mynt 1622 Elgin Rec. II 174.
Alexander Hephburne pat his thie to stay Robert Martein and wald nocht lat him sitt doun and said … Will thow sitt on my knie, kneaff?(b) 1511 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III 107.
Quhat your lordschipe wile do herto emples send ansuerb. 1375 Barb. iv 718.
Thai men that will study In the craft off astrology Knaw [etc.] 1375 Barb. ix 665.
Quha-sa off him the south will [C. vald] reid 14… Edinb. Univ. MS La.ii.318.
Al clerkis may se that wil it luke [etc.] 14.. Burgh Laws c. 74 (B).
Qwha that wyl sel flesche [A. Ilk buchour that sellis flesch] he sal sel gude flesche 1456 Hay I 137/6.
He that will pay mare na he aw, it is na payment. It is gift

4. As an auxiliary verb: Expressing intention, with future reference, passing into a mere expression of the voluntary nature of the action. a. In the first person. Also proverb.b. In the first person plural, in some instances expressing a proposal: Let us. c. In the second person, in interrogative use. d. In the third person. e. In the third person, in a threat.a. 1375 Barb. iv 552 (C).
I will send a man to Carrik To … speir how the kynrik Is led 1375 Barb. v 69.
Thar sall na perell … Dryve me … to the se. Myne auentur her tak will I a1400 Leg. S. iii 1049.
I wyll Ane vthyre questione send hym till, Quhare-in we ma assay his wit c1420 Wynt. vi 2157.
Makduff sayd … I will na langare karpe wyth thé c1420 Wynt. vii 1526.
This man … Fell [etc.] … As now I will reherse yhow here a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 102.
Schort amendis will I mak Thi schore compt I noght ane caik 1490 Irland Mir. I 106 h. of ch.
Wil 1513 Doug. xiii Prol. 183.
Than thocht I thus: I will my cunnand kepe, I will not be a daw, I will not slepe, I wil compleit my promys … and cloys our buke 1531 Bell. Boece (M) I 29.
Quhais pepill war maist wailȝeand … as we sall eftir here. Bot now I will return agane to my first mater 1548 Corr. M. Lorraine 233.
I will nocht inpesche your grace with na ferther writin c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 192.
Quhen I cum agane … To marie ȝow I will be glaid 1567 G. Ball. 127.
To thy mercy with thé will I go than sall my tung [etc.] 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 57.
I wyl pas over that iniury 1570 Misc. Bann. C. I 47*.
And I persave that I will pas to the Byris and halk a1578 Pitsc. II 211/14.
To this ansuerit the regent and said ‘I vill weill imploy … my haill companie thairvnto' 1619 Innes Sketches 522.
The berar spak sumthing to me of freiss to be Jhone ane garment … bot I will luke for your lettir mair particularlie(b) 1544 Corr. M. Lorraine 105.
My lordis being bund on to your grace for the comonne weill weyll put rameid in his unrasonable handlyng off yowr gracis subeisproverb. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 981.
I will not baith winter and sommer yow a taill a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 996.
I will not crak, I will happning be a cadgerb. 1401 MacRae Early Sc. Texts No. 8.
We … wil do our besynes to bryng it thar to at our power a1500 Seven S. 1722.
Ane said this nycht Of my dremyng the tyme begynnis For thi we will pas till our innes And slepe 1531 Bell. Boece (M) I 74.
Bot now we will return to our history a1561 Q. Kennedy Breif Tract. (ed.) 112/13.
We vil ressone the mater sumpart(b) 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1367 (Ch.).
On all wyfis we'ill cry ane loud vengencec. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 40/6.
How lang will ȝe with denger deill? 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6709.
Wil thow murther me As thow hes done the Empreouris knichts a1561 Q. Kennedy Breif Tract. (ed.) 139/15.
Wil thow say that the scriptouris alleget be Ecolampadius and Calvyne ar truely and propirlye allegit? 1609 Crim. Trials III 47.
My Lord, will ȝe ryid away and leif this bludie theif behind ȝou?d. c1475 Wall. v 906.
Wpon grace as my autor will tell Schir Jhone the Grayme … To the Corhed come [etc.] a1561 Q. Kennedy Breif Tract. (ed.) 139/1.
I vil speir at ony man [etc.] … be quhat authoritie … vil they preif [etc.] 1568 Q. Mary in Facs. Nat. MSS III lviii.
A. schawis that scho wil be aganis thame baith 1676 Dunferm. Ann. 346.
Mr. Charles Wardlaw … declares he will exerces his office no longer(b) c1400 Troy-bk. ii 21 (C).
They woll [D. wolle] haue all hys gold aweye. ?1438 Alex. ii 8633.
Ȝeild thé to me, Or eillis thy lyfe lorne wil be

5. Expressing firm intention, determination or insistence. Also const. nedis.(1) c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 127/47.
Quhy sould not palfrayis thane be prowd, Quhen gillettis wilbe schomd and schroud a1540 Freiris Berw. 297 (M).
Lat be fair dame thay wourdis ar in vane I will thame haue … Mak no delay bot bring thame doun to me a1599 Rollock Wks. I 303.
Opponing thy self to deith saying I will not die and I sall not die 1602 Colville Paraenese 70.
Thai vill haue no altar … thai vill not haue glorifeit sancts … bot men lyik thair self … thai vill haue to pray for tham 1620 Calderwood VII 420.
Mr. Johne, we have done for you, and I have done for you, and ye will be wilfull, and keepe [etc.](2) 1633 Aberd. Council Lett. I 378 (see Nedis adv. 2).

6. Expressing intention without strong temporal reference or where the notion of futurity is superseded by a contingent element: Choose(s) to, do(es), decide(s) to, happen(s) to. 1375 Barb. ix 32 (C).
Syne fall quhat euir that God vill send 1375 Barb. xii 198.
I sall consent … To do rycht as ȝe will dywys c1379 MacRae Early Sc. Texts No. 1.
Me Alexander of Mongumre … haf … vndyrtane till Alayne of Lawedre … that qvat tyme at he will aske me … that I sall [etc.] c1420 Ratis R. 540.
Thar is nan so fals a man That he na wyll lawte luf … Thocht he wald ellis [etc.]

7. In relation to the request, suggestion or requirement of another or necessity imposed by some external force or influence, as, reason, duty, etc. a. Expressing consent or acquiescence: Am (are, is) willing, prepared (to do something). With negative: Refuse(s). Also const. passive. b. Expressing necessity, a legal or moral requirement, passing into simple futurity: Must, is (are) going to. c. Expressing simple futurity determined by external forces or circumstance: Is (are) going to.a. (l) 1375 Barb. xix 93.
‘A thing I pray ȝow graunt me … ’ The king than sone [has] said him till, ‘I will wele graunt that it sua be’ 1562-3 Winȝet I 7/24.
Quhat wyll ye geve me? 1565 Facs. Nat. MSS III lvi.
Not dowtand heirfoir bot your gude lordship … wilbe the said Mr. Maluilis addres 1567 G. Ball. 15.
Preiche … That … Quha will beleif … Thay salbe saif 1574 Misc. Maitl. C. I 109.
To inquire of euery inhabitare quhat thai will bestow … and to inroll euery manis name with the sowme at … quhat thai will gif ouklie 1614 Crim. Trials III 307.
Will yow assist and tak pairt with my sone? And the depouner at the first planelie refuisit(b) a1400 Leg. S. iii 841.
Quhen ony man … wile one Sancte Androw cal … he helpis all(2) 1375 Barb. i 154.
Gyff thow will hald in cheyff off me … I sall [etc.] ?1438 Alex. i 551.
Gif thow will do this message, I am reddy [etc.] 1401 MacRae Early Sc. Texts No. 8.
Gif yhe will adress yhu to be at ony day with hym … send vs word a1540 Freiris Berw. 311 (B).
I tak on hand and ȝe will counsale keip That I sall [etc.] 1560 Rolland Seven S. 3046.
Quhair ȝe say he is dum Will ȝe suffer bot ane schort time to cum I find ȝow … That he sall speik a1561 Q. Kennedy Breif Tract. (ed.) 139/11.
Quhilk easaly may be persauit gif thow vyl reade the vark of Hilarius 1609 Crim. Trials III 47.
Within ane day or twa gif ȝe will send ȝour man to me I sall satisfie ȝow(3) a1400 Leg. S. Prol. 31.
How that men ma ensample ta For to serwe God … & quha-sa wil nocht, sal haf blam a1400 Leg. S. xvi 495.
‘Gudmen for-thi Sparis a tyme that we ma se Suthfastly gyf scho ded be!’ ‘Na,’ sad thai, ‘we wil nocht spare … hyr' 14.. Burgh Laws 15 (A).
& gif the burrow greff will nocht [B. refoysis to] doo iustice 1490 Irland Mir. II 69/13.
Gret prid is that the sempil persouns wil nocht … trow to the halykyrk a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 470.
Thare is na schip that wil thé now ressave 1531 Bell. Boece (M) I 52.
Hee sall suffer nane to remane with him bot sa mony as will assist to his foly 1549 Compl. 73/15.
For thai that vil nocht expose there bodeis … to perrel … bot rather vil thole … ther natiue cuntre to perreis 1551 Hamilton Cat. 51.
Siclik supersticion is amang thame that will nocht berisch … the bodis of thair freindis on the north part of the kirk yard 1569 Canongate Ct. Bk. 65.
That … the said Thomas Kincaid refuisis and on na wayis will find to thame sufficient cautionaris 1588 King Cat. App. 18.
Lord I purpose by Thy grace, and protestes befoir Thy maiestie that I wil nocht agrie to the breaking of Thy halie commandiments(b) 1518 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 46.
Becaus he boucht his bere or it was wone off the erd thai woll nocht admit the bering of the samen 1612 Orkney & Shetl. Ct. Bk. (ed.) 19.
Beggeris … begging woll fisch and cornis and will not be refuissed(4) 1531 Vaus in Innes Sketches 272 n.
Bot yit of ane thing vill ye be aduertit, that rewlis of oratre ar changeableb. 1482–3 Acta Conc. II cxvi.
Letters … charging him to minister justice … as he wil ansuer to the kingis hienes 1483 Acta Conc. II cxxxiii.
Samekle as the men that laboris the ground will suere and mak faith that was sawin 1516 Acts XII 37/1.
He … is determit to continew for his dewite as he will ansueir to God and manc. 1589–1600 Skipper's Acc. (Morton) 55b.
For the compenyes portage tha woll be awne for costom [etc.] … xvi s. 8 d. 1615 Highland P. III 247.
[This] will liberat thame … from all forder seruice by sea and outwith there owne boundes and they wilbe no forder astrictit bot to keepe there owene boundes free of the rebelles 1620 Reg. Great S. 783/2.
Becaus the said work will not onelie requyre a great stock [etc.]

8. Expressing natural disposition to do something, hence descriptive of what is characteristic in a person, quality, situation, etc. or what is habitual. Also ellipt. and proverb.(a) 1375 Barb. ii 298.
Sum man for erynes will trymbill Quhen he assayit is sodanly That with awisement is douchty a1400 Leg. S. xviii 786.
Modir als of haly kyrk To safe synful that wil nocht irk c1450-2 Howlat 64 (A).
Thus all thir fowlis for my filth has me at feid … Sum will me dulfully dicht, Sum dyng me to deid c1460 Consail Vys Man 150.
Suppos for lytill thing it bee Ȝit wyll men say he is leif to lee c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 206/4.
And quhair caus is, men weill ma sie, And quhair nane is, it wilbe thocht [etc.] 1549 Compl. 3/3.
Ther is na prudent man that vil iuge that [etc.] c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus Prol. 326.
Commoun folk will call thé lawit and lidder 1559 Inverness Rec. I 31.
That … ye conuoy awa your master salmond fysche … and quhen ye ar kepit … your craft is ye wyll cast [pr. last] the fysche away a1570-86 J. Maitland in Maitl. F. 435/42.
That freindschip is ay faithfullest … And langest will indure a1578 Pitsc. I 135/11.
No man of hollsome judgement bot will grant we had no perequall 1597–8 Misc. Spald. C. I 121.
The elphis will mak thé appeir to be in a fair chalmer, and yit thow will find thy selff in a mos on the morne 1581-1623 James VI Poems II 141/64.
Sho peirless is as all men uill agree 1638 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 162.
Ye will find many peccant humours in these assemblies against these rules, & ye will find scairce any of them keeped 1662 Crim. Trials III 607.
We haw no bow to shoot with but spang them from the naillis of our thowmbes. Som tymes we will misse; bot if thay twitch … it will kill 1685 Dunlop P. III 17.
A frieman's survant … will eat … soume 20 lb., sume 30 lb. starling a yeare(b) c1400 Troy-bk. ii 213 (C).
It woll [D. wolle] lat no-man it to … But anerly of the keperesellipt. c1490 Irland Asl. MS 57/2.
He vsit euer mercy and euer willproverb. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 28.
A blak wif wil mak gude kaill a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 88.
A foole will not leive his balop

9. Expressing capacity, ability, sufficiency: Can, is able to, will prove sufficient (to).(a) c1420 Wynt. i 310.
On quhat kyn wys … Thir ilk geawndis gottyn were … I wyll mak na conclusyown c1420 Wynt. i 736.
Serpentys ar sa gret … At thai wyll suelly wpe a dere And wyll swym all oure that se c1420 Wynt. ii 1227.
A mynotawre (quhethir that he A felowne man or best sulde be I wyll noucht tel yow certanly) c1420 Wynt. ix 1688.
Quha had the ware … I wil nocht say c1420 Wynt. ix 2339.
Quhat wil we say mare bot schortly The Ynglis men had the victory? 1536 Lynd. Answ. Flyting 67.
Sum sayis thare cummis ane bukler furth of France Quhilk wyll indure ȝour dintis(b) 1559 Knox VI 80.
If any persuade you that they wooll or maye serve withoute supporte they doo but deceyve you

10. Used to give force to a statement, promise, request, etc. 1375 Barb. xviii 383.
Schyr I will wnderta That in schort tyme I sall do sa That I sall wyn ȝon pas a1585 Polwart Flyt. 67 (H).
Sitt thow this chairge I will assuire thé The second shalbe something sairer 1586 Cal. Sc. P. VIII 313.
Your lordship sall resawe ane letter … and I vill requyst yow as yow love yowr awing veill all other materis set asyd to addres yowr self hame vit dilegnes othervayis I vill this say [etc.] 1627 Bk. Carlaverock II 95.
Itt wilbe verie requisit that ȝowr lordship do not lippin [etc.]

11. In questions with imperative force: Will ye (nocht) se, = look (at). 1375 Barb. i 485.
Schyr Jhone Cumyn … Said till him schyr will ȝe nocht se How that gouernyt is this countre Thai sla our folk [etc.] 1517 Selkirk B. Ct. MS 57b.
Wolȝe [ed. 43, wol ye] se this litill fals car as he follois me

12. In predictive statements or statements expressing the belief of the speaker or the speaker's judgment of a situation; of things bound to take place.Quot. Nisbet may belong in sense 5.(1) 1516 Acts XII 37/2.
We have done and pretermittit na diligens as we will answer to God and oure soverane Lord c1520-c1535 Nisbet I 3.
O deithe I wilbe [thi] deithe(b) c1578 Reid Swire 5.
Alace that day I'le ne'er forgett(2) 1513 Doug. Direct. 80.
No thing is myne quhilk sall not ȝowris be … And of ȝour … geir Ȝhe will me serve siclyke, I haue na weir 1549 Compl. 65/3.
[Song Title:] Mastres fayr, ȝe vil forfayr(3) 1375 Barb. xii 487 (C).
I tell ȝow a thing sekirly That ȝon men will wyn all or de … thar sall nane fle c1420 Wynt. ii 531 h. of ch.
This chapitere now will yhow telle The wrakis [etc.] 1456 Hay I 225/1.
Bot here till ansuere to this questioun, I say treuly that be the law writtin, nocht gaynstandand that the men of were will nocht be content of this ansuere a1500 Henr. Abbay Walk 12.
Thy kindome … Sall nocht indure at thi desyre Bot as the wind will wend away 1531 Bell. Boece (M) I 52.
Nane is amangis ws that will nocht contend … to haiff that honoure 1536 Lynd. Answ. Flyting 27 (see 15 below). c1552 Lynd. Mon. (EETS) 6.
Thov lytil quair of mater miserabyll … To reid on thé thai wyl haif no delite 1586 Warrender P. MS 179.
He vil go the get his mother is gone a1599 Rollock Wks. I 302.
He was never borne bot deith will tempt him, deith will be terrible to flesche and blude 1600 Facs. Nat. MSS III lxxvi.
The kingis hwynting vill be schortly … tyme 1614 Crim. Trials III 307.
It wilbe hard for your lordship to gett that done 1619 Innes Sketches 522.
Thair is mony … that or they quyte the bannok they will quyte a gude conscience(b) 1540 Lynd. Sat. 4200 (Ch.).
Duill fell the sillie merchant men To mak them service weill I ken, Thaill never get sic ane vtherproverb. 1621-40 Melville Commonpl. Bk. 18.
A guid cow will have an ill calff

b. In direct or indirect questions involving the nature of events to come. c1568 Lauder Minor P. ii 40.
How lang, Lord, wyll this warld indure? c1575 Wemyss Corr. 74.
Letteris … desyrand me to aduertes yow … quhat wilbe my part in this caus giff I wilbe partie [etc.] 1662 Sel. Biog. I 209.
That ye wot not yet what it will be

c. In a noun clause after a verb of believing, saying, hoping, etc.(a) 1531 Bell. Boece (M) II 18.
Heirfor … we beleiff ȝe will nocht be repugnant to thir honorabill desyris 1543 Aberd. B. Rec. I 190.
We beleif your lordschip wilbe so gracius to pardon ws 1573 Cath. Tr. 18/2.
As quhair ye say that it wilbie verray hard to me … to preif that [etc.] 1585 Warrender P. (SHS) I 179.
We trust that you will not be offended that [etc.] 1700 Laing MSS II 1.
I hope this will determin yow to doe what both in honor and dieuty yow owe [etc.](b) 1680 Sc. N. & Q. 2 Ser. II 43 (see Ȝe pron. 5).
I desyre yell

13. In an assurance.It is unclear whether the volition of the speaker is present or not; i.e. whether the examples are related to sense 4 or sense 12. 1531 Bell. Boece II 517.
Traist thairfore … your hienes wil be put with na les eloquence than gravite in memory 1586 Cal. Sc. P. VIII 313.
Yowr frendis wilbe and man be frendis to yow 1614 Crim. Trials III 307.
I mynd to send my sone thair quha wilbe your pairt

14. In the expression of something necessary or appropriate according to the nature of things or a particular thing. b. In expressing something already determined. c. In estimates of amount or approximations, expressing a calculation necessary according to the circumstances. a1400 Leg. S. i 257.
Bot gyf that pece be … to fynd veryte In-to na thing may be profyte For thefis amang thame pece parfyte Vill have; for-thi na pece it call 1511 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III 107.
Scho [sc. a mill] man haue ane new stwle … and your lordschipe sould vphald the stull … the stull will haue vij aikin schillis and ther man be [etc.]b. 1620 Reg. Great S. 783/2.
Our pairt of the said allum quhilk wilbe the tent pairtc. 1511 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III 107.
Thar wilbe of tendit woll this yeir of your schipe fyve stane. It will gif ilk stane vij schillingis and that is ane gud price for Buchane woll … ther wilbe our mony cunningis within twa yeir, thai haue riddillit all the erdis of the linkis 1641 Cochran-Patrick Coinage I xxxi.
The kings haill tale vpoun the bullioun will not be 3000 li by yeir a1699 Skene Agric. MS (ed.) 68.
Fourten pecks of peiss … will sowe an aker 1683 Coll. Aberd. & B. 103.
It will be, of perpendicular height, … 'twixt twenty-nine and thirty foots

15. In a contingent clause or construction describing a possible course of action or state of affairs, the temporal force freq. weakened or lacking.(a) 1375 Barb. ix 30.
Giff it fall that thai will [C. vill] fycht Giff thai assaile we sall defend a1400 Leg. S. x 365.
Matrimone he can commend … Gyf that it will anowrnyt be Vith gud werk c1420 Wynt. viii 6693.
‘A, mychty God of hewyn!’ quoth he, ‘How youre worschip … Suld be encressit mony fauld Gyff ye wil of your cunnand hauld.' ‘This,’ saide he, ‘I sall sykkyrly’ c1420 Wynt. ix 2674.
It is off Inglis natioune The commone kend conditioune Off trewis the wertew to foryett Quhen thai will thaim for wynnyng set And rekles of gud faith to be Quhare thai can thare avantage se 1536 Lynd. Answ. Flyting 28.
The day wyll cum … That ȝe wyll draw at laiser with ȝour feiris 1540 Lynd. Sat. 493 (B).
Will ȝe gif me leif, schir, first till go to, And I sall [etc.] 1542 Hamilton P. I 159.
Not the les gyf it wyll pleis the kyngis majestye [etc.] a1585 Maitl. Q. 81/33.
Gif we will mak murning Sould be for our offence And not that [etc.] 1596 Dalr. I 21/3.
Frome the first sent quhilke the dog perceiues … follow, rinn, or gang vthir men sa fast as thay will, it moues him nathing, he … still followis the fute of the flier 1451 Acts (1597) i 34.
Debtes … of the quhilkis the termes are gane, ilk man that will not paie … they sall paie it of the money, that runnis fra that daie foorth 1619 Innes Sketches 522.
Thair wes tuo of the xx mark peceis rounged … If they will pass I sall put thame soone frome me(b) c1400 Troy-bk. ii 550 (D).
Of whilkes mensioune haue we Mayd in this booke who wole [C. will] it se(c) c1590 Fowler I 320/22 (see Ȝe pron. 5).
If this day yeil … come [etc.]

16. In requests or instructions: (Please) do or do not. c1520-c1535 Nisbet Matth. i 20.
The angel … said, Josephe … wil thou nocht [P. nyle thou] drede to tak Marie thin wif 1540 Lynd. Sat. 237.
This is my reasone quhy. First at the Romane court will ȝe begyn [etc.] 1561 Q. Kennedy Compendious Ressonyng (ed.) 169/24 (see 17 below).
Will

17. Expressing a result to be expected upon fulfilment of a condition, in the apodosis of a conditional or temporal clause or construction or a relative clause with undetermined antecedent. Also proverb.(1) a1400 Leg. S. vi 89.
Ryse of this place I ne vil, Til [etc.] c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 207/42.
Suppois the servand be lang unquit, The lord sumtyme rewaird will it 1524 Douglas Corr. 89.
I cann nocht sa it for surte bot if it is deniit … ȝour grace wil beleyf that I say this for malis 1542 Hamilton P. I 159.
Gyf it wyll pleis the kyngis majestye tyll send suche pouer as may rasyst thair pryd … thay wyll be gentyll inewche efterwart 1550 Grey Friars II 10.
Nevirtheles the tenentis … will mak thame na payment … without thai be compellit 1560 Rolland Seven S. 149.
Displesours ar to cum … Quhairthrow onlie his lyfe he will recure 1561 Q. Kennedy Compendious Ressonyng (ed.) 169/26.
Quhairfoir I wald pray ȝou that ȝe will mak ane schorte rehers [etc.] … quhilk wilbe ane grit eis for my memorie 1567 Sat. P. iii 83.
Unles ȝe … trewlie try the gyltie … Ȝe wilbe repuite lowreis 1570 Black Bk. Taymouth 429.
God leuuinge ws our heilthis, we will get geir enewche a1578 Pitsc. II 211/10.
My counsall and will is that ȝe pas to the quenis grace … quhair the matter may be tryed … and than I will be sattisfied a1595 Misc. Spald. C. II xxx.
For tuithe aik Tak pellodrommy rwit … and it will put away the greiff 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. xix.
The inspection of pecces will finde this talke toome 1693 Answ. Presb. Eloq. 66.
An I war deed you will say [etc.](b) a1400 Leg. S. xxviii 6.
For there prophetis thre … it oft weile bocht beproverb. 1600 Melvill 481.
Manie yrons in the fyre, sum will cull(2) 1531 Bell. Boece (M) I 52.
Quhen this ȝoung king is cumin to mannis aige … than … he will mak him to amend all wrangis [etc.] 1534 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 137.
This inquest desiris to se [etc.] … thairefter thai vyll deliver [etc.] a1599 Rollock Wks. I 302.
Ȝe se quhil ane man is luiking to hevin he will not be without tentatioun 1681 Colvil Whig's Suppl. (1751) 21.
[His] nails … Will cut the throat of sheep or calf. When he … Turns cook to any penny-bridle(3) c1420 Wynt. v 2596.
Quha that haldys hym in the lawe Till hycht hys meiknes will hym drawe 1490 Irland Mir. I 25/35.
He gevis ws hop … to … get all that we will desyre c1508 Ch. & M. Prints iiia 65.
The man that hewys ower hee The spaile will fall in his E 1512 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 18.
Sic evidence as thai woll defend thaim in the caus movit 1529 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 101.
All that Jhone of Ladlaw vyll swer that is leill I vyl swer with hyme 1531 Bell. Boece (M) I 395.
It is said all wemen quhilkis gangis in his chapell wilbe othir blynd or wode 1571 Events Q. Mary & Jas. VI 65.
In sik guid maner as ȝou thinkis maist convenient & wil best move him a1585 Arbuthnot in Maitl. Q. 122/111.
Quha is ane scheip the wolf will sone him hent 1643 Misc. Abbotsf. C. I 172.
Ane peice of cloath, als much as will be ane pair of handskouse(b) 1543 Corr. M. Lorraine 16.
What soever it shall please youw to communicate unto him, … he wooll faythfullie reaporte the same

b. Expressing the consequence resulting from an existing (actual or implied) state of affairs.(a) a1570-86 Maitland in Maitl. F. 333/11.
Fra lawtie so thai leip … Thair will na kyndnes blude nor band Gar sum thair credence keip a1605 Montg. Flyt. 72 (H).
Trote, tyke, to a towe, … Wee will heir tythance, peild Polwart, of thy pow 1662 Sel. Biog. I 210.
Have ye observed the providence of God? … that … possibly … We will be circumveened and drawn on to such things piece and piece(b) a1568 Sempill in Sat. P. xlvi 16 (see Ȝe pron. 5).
To pomp als oft [etc.] … Ȝeill nevir hald hir watter-fast

18. a. absol. or ellipt.With omission of clause object, corresp. to sense 1 b. 1375 Barb. vii 15.
Sen we may nocht dele with mycht Help ws all that we may with slycht The king said sen that thow will swa Ga furth & I sall with thé ga 1375 Barb. x 426.
And said, ‘All gangis as we will’ a1500 Colk. Sow ii 62.
The said secound penny I sall gife thé For this ȝoung maid gif that thow will

b. In parenthetic phrases: God willand (willing), (gyve) God will, will God, if it be the will of God, if it be pleasing to God, please God. See also God n. 4 (3).(1) 1416 Red Bk. Menteith I 286.
We thynk God wilnande to mak ȝhow and yhowris … gud rewarde 1423–4 Wemyss Chart. 47.
The wiffe of qwylom Schir Willyame of Douglas, the quhilk I think, God willande, to lede into wiffe 1438 Lennox Mun. 69.
Als sone as the forsayd … is off lachfull eld that [thai] may be maryd … thai sall be maryt, God wylland 1475 Peebles B. Rec. I 173.
Wyland c1490 Irland Asl. MS 61/7.
Now in this buke God willand sall be declarit [etc.] 1494 Lennox Mun. 152.
The saidis lord and Mathow sall, God willande, meit … ate ten houris befor noyn 1537 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I 412.
Sir Wilȝame maister of the sang schuyll … God wlland sall cause sex bernis of the queir [etc.](b) 1509 Lennox Mun. 189.
The quhylk the sayd lord sall do, God wyllyng 1530 Montgomery Mem. 111.
Robert sal, Godwilling, mari his sone … apone [etc.] c1560 Maxwell Mem. II 127.
Welleng a1561 Q. Kennedy Breif Tract. (ed.) 115/19.
To mak the redar cleirly to onderstand (God willing) quhow [etc.] 1584 Grant Chart. 158.
God willing, I salbe layth to bring ȝow in ony questiowne, bot … guid and honorable(c) 1519 Cart. S. Nich. Aberd. II 353.
Thai sall God willene decor and dote thar said altar [etc.] 1544 Corr. M. Lorraine 97.
God willan 1593 Skipper's Acc. (Morton) 69a.
Wolyne 1599 Skipper's Acc. (Morton) 34b.
Thes is the compenes hiris that is boun ham with me God wollyne that was ine the New Fondland(2) c1420 Wynt. viii 2565.
Gyve God will owris sall be this day c1475 Wall. ix 179.
For thar, God will, is our purpos to be c1475 Wall. vi 241 (see God n. 4 (3)). 1513 Doug. ix Prol. 95.
That thar salbe, wyll God, litill offens 1534 St. P. Henry VIII IV 673.
And thayr effter ȝe sall knaw, wyll God, farder owre mynd 1540 St. P. Henry VIII V 181.
Certifying ȝour grace, will God, we intend nevir tobe sa cummersum agane unto ȝour grace 1544 St. P. Henry VIII V 396.
WilGod 1549 Prot. Bk. Sir A. Gaw 4.
The said Jhon Donaldson sal mary, vil God, and have to vif the said Margaret Anderson a1578 Pitsc. I 5/23.
I sall do bettir, will God, ane vthir day(b) 1548 Corr. M. Lorraine 281.
Quhat your grace list command, wryt and it sall be doun, well God

c. absol. or ellipt.With omission of clause object, corresp. to sense 2 b. Chiefly as law will.(1) 1385 Rot. Sc. II 73/2.
Bot tha sall ger it be redressit als lawe of Marche vill 1406 (1427) Reg. Great S. 17/2.
To kep … tha said landis to the said Jon … dedlyk as the law wil 1409 Exch. R. IV ccx.
Thar sal mak them na party with thaum bot in sobir manere as la lach will 1438 Soc. Ant. Chart. (Reg. H.) No. 4.
Thai sal haffe … leffe to persew … alssfer as law wyl 1456 Hay I 274/4.
Gif a crime … mycht efter it was anys jugit cum again in jugement, thare suld be nane end of process … the quhilk law will nocht 1480 Acta Conc. I 54/1.
That Johne M^cGille sall be harmeles of the said William … bot as law will 1511 Reg. Privy S. I 345/1.
That na seculare personis have intrometting with thaim uther wais than law will 1520 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 60.
The quhilk hors the said Williem optenit be his gret atht and his wotnes, as law woll 1657 Rothesay B. Rec. 7.
The samyn salbe maid furthcumand to the said David … as lawe will(2) 1409 Exch. R. IV ccxii.
Gif Robert Stewart [etc.] … will … be bundyn to this band … thai sal be tane in it … as the nature of the band will

19. absol. or ellipt.With omission of a verb of motion. 1375 Barb. vi 618.
I will na forthyr bot rycht her I will byd ?1438 Alex. ii 3359.
It is tyme to ga our gait. Now hamewart to our men will we c1450-2 Howlat 38 (A).
In haist will I hens To the purpos c1475 Wall. x 779.
In France I will to wyn my leffyng thar c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 192/27.
Quhy wald thow hald that will away? 1513 Doug. v iv 15.
‘Quhar, dysmall, wilt [Sm., Ruddim. wil] thou now?’ gan Gyas cry 1524 Douglas Corr. 89.
It is said in this cuntre the Quenis grace and the Erll of Arane will the Franch way 1567 Crim. Trials I i 495.
I will in a1568 Bann. MS 257b/40.
Quhat hand may hald that will away a1599 Rollock Wks. I 317.
For this lyfe will away

20. absol. or ellipt.With omission of the infinitive, to be supplied from the context. a. Chiefly corresp. to sense 3. b. Appar. corresp. to sense 7. Also proverb.Freq. in contingent constructions.a. (1) ?1438 Alex. i 3021.
Sen thow hes sic inuy To venge my harm, gif that thow will, Thow may haue laisere sone thair-till c1420 Wynt. iv 562.
Drynk or lewe quhethyr evyre thow wylle c1420 Wynt. vi 674.
He lyis als in Ycolmkill Hys epitaphy red quha will c1420 Wynt. vii 71.
Do this dede yhit wyth honeste Gyve othir thow may, or dare, or wille 14.. Burgh Laws c. 89 (A).
Ilk man may gif … landis that he has conquest to quham that euer he will [B. wyl] 14.. Burgh Laws c. 40 (B).
Thai sal in pese gang qwhar thai wyl [A. sal] 1471 Peebles B. Rec. I 167.
Quhill the nychtburis … haf coft at thai wyll a1500 Rauf C. 55.
‘Forsuith,’ said the coilȝear,'traist quhen thow will, For [etc.]' a1500 Henr. Fab. 1808 (Ch.).
Do as ȝe will c1490 Irland Asl. MS 5/27.
As thow has deferrit thi pennance langtym befor sa will thou ȝit 1527 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 90.
Ve ordand this voman to preif this curchy hirris with ane sufficient preiff ony day that scho vyl a1568 Scott xvii 22.
Now lat my lady do quhat evir scho will 1609 Crim. Trials III 47.
Say quhat ȝe will this day I will gif ȝow na ansuer(2) 1562-3 Winȝet I 79/23.
Gif ȝe confes the samin, as we dout nocht bot ȝe wil dob. 1375 Barb. xviii 51.
Now help quha will for … fecht will I ?1438 Alex. i 3153.
It is gude thing … To nurris gude men … And he that negaitis do na will [F. Qui faire ne le vuet] … He sall repent himproverb. a1500 Henr. Robene & M. 92.
The man that will nocht quhen he may Sall haif nocht quhen he wald a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 342.
He that will not when he may, shall not when he wald

B. Wald, used as a main verb or an auxiliary verb.

I. Past tense with purely temporal function.

21. As a main verb: Corresp. to sense 1. a. With simple object: Desired, wished for. b. With clause object: Wished (that). c. With to and the infinitive: Wished to. d. Maintained, wanted to make out.Also in collocation with Nil(l v. 2 and Ild(e v., pt., qq.v. for examples.a. (1) a1400 Leg. S. xxiv 261.
He of mane lowe wald nane [L. humanam gloriam fugiens] c1420 Wynt. vi 2099.
As thai … wald thare herytage … He wald thame helpe 1456 Hay I 45/19, 20.
The ta party wald it, and the tothir partye wald it nocht a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 102.
Diomeid … wald of me no moir 1535 Stewart 36147.
All the laif … come … to wit quhat he wald 1535 Stewart 40065.
Makdufe … suspitione tuke Of Makcobey, that he wald him na gude 1596 Dalr. II 265/6.
He … apnet his mynd to thame all, and quhat he walde. Thame he persuades [etc.](2) 1456 Hay I 48/28.
He … profferit to trete with thame of pes bot thai … wald of na pes, sayand thai desyrit erar were na pesb. a1400 Leg. S. xii 310.
He wald thai vare twelfe … & nocht to be in nowmyre lewyne c1420 Wynt. i 43.
He walde that kynde sulde be [etc.] c1460 Thewis Gud Women 186.
Quha defamyt war … Wald al the laif war to thaim lyk a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 872.
He … wald that he nane harm hynt a1500 Bk. Chess 615.
Scho wald erar the siluer that he fand Suld [etc.] 1513 Doug. viii vi 26.
He … wald also this regioun … War callit Latium 1596 Dalr. I 296/27.
Nather walde I that ȝour serenitie weyet my mynd … with the price of this giftc. ?1438 Alex. i 414.
I wald nocht to haue Paradise In thank to change to be … out of this companie 1584 Sempill in Sat. P. xlv 475.
I wald not for all the carse of Gowrie To be a bischop in his esteatd. 1567 Sat. P. vii 5.
Eich of thame his taill in ordoure tauld. I vnderstuid thair sentence quhat thay wald

22. With infinitive with omission of to: Corresp. to sense 3, desired, wished to, with implications of sense 23 (a) 1375 Barb. i 49.
Sum wald haiff the Balleoll king 1375 Barb. vi 384 (C).
James of Douglas In Douglasdaill traualand was … For he valde se his gouernyng That had the castell in keping a1400 Leg. S. Prol. 104.
Vald c1475 Wall. i 8.
Our ald ennemys … That neuyr ȝeit to Scotland wald do gud a1500 K. Hart 44.
Thir folk … wer vpbred as seruitouris … And with this king wald woun in weill and wo 1507 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. I 93.
That he wauld his sone hed strekin out all George Heruis harins c1520-c1535 Nisbet I 17.
Quhen this Mathou … wald ga to hethin men [etc.] 1533 Boece (M) I 181.
Thocht sindry nobill men in his army decernit victory to be vsit on thame with maist rigoure … ȝite he wald be moir propiciant 15.. Christis Kirk 29 (M).
Thocht all hir kin suld haue bein deid Sche wald haue bot sweit Willie c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 380.
This lord of him tuik sa greit ioy, That he him self wald him conuoy c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 563.
Nathing I craue For I haue gottin that I wald haue 1568 St. A. Kirk S. 309.
That he wald haif hir in howseld that he mycht be fulfillit of hir 1596 Dalr. I 237/3.
Fiakre … walde lyue the lyfe of ane heremite … and diet maist halylie(b) 1611-57 Mure Early Misc. P. ii 66.
Quhill death I wish'd, lyf then refuised to liue me: Liue quhill I wold, death then propon'd to riue me

23. Corresp. to senses 4 and ? 5. a. Intended to, meant to, was determined to. b. In weakened sense, conveying no more than an indication of the voluntary nature of the action: Did.a., b. 1375 Barb. v 622 (C).
Quhen the king saw he vald nocht let Bot ay cum on … He [etc.] 1375 Barb. xiv 7.
Tharfor to purpos gan he ta That he off Irland wald be king a1400 Leg. S. vii 487.
[To] dee thare tham leware wes ay Thane fore to thol subieccione … Thar-fore thai wald tham-self sla 1456 Hay I 75/19.
Nocht forthy the king of Fraunce for all that forbeding wald leve na forbere to ger fulfill the said bataill bot wald hald up the custumes of kingis [etc.] a1500 Rauf C. 92.
To the Coilȝearis hous baith, or thay wald blin a1500 Peblis to Play 64.
Ilk ane man gaif his consait How at thai wald dispone thame 1500 Dunferm. B. Rec. I 302.
Comperit Johne of Waluode … and Agnes Hugone his spovs and sade thai walde resigne the fee 1507 Prestwick B. Rec. 40.
Wylȝem Haifwery accusyt Allane Leppar that … he … wald haf tane ane … speid fra hym, & harlyt hym & the spaid 1513 Doug. ii iv 84.
Intil our blynd fury … instantly we wirk And forto drug and draw wald neuer irk Quhil [etc.] 1545 Douglas Corr. 160.
They al consalit my lord to speid him to the said conwention … qwhar they wald common at lyncht with my lord in the saidis afferis c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 176.
That ladie was dolent … From tyme scho saw he wald depart 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 126.
Or he wald come, Johne Gordoun … come befoir him 1610 Misc. Maitl. C. I 416.
Scho … said scho valde gaitt remeid for hir c1616 Hume Orthog. 2.
It is reported that your majestie … fel on Barret's opinion that you wald cause the universities mak an Inglish grammar 1634 Peebles Gleanings 162.
The said William declarit that he wald pretend na richt nor interest to the sweiping … of the saidis briggis(b) 1520 Fife Sheriff Ct. 171.
The said abbot … allegeand that he had interes to thai landis and wald defend that actioun and tharfor it wes allegeit be the said Hew [etc.] … that he sould noucht hef ane delay because that the said abbot … said he wauld defend(c) 1575 Edinb. B. Rec. IV 41.
That we haid spokine off his Graice that … we waild mismak him(d) 1625 Fraserburgh Kirk S. II 20 July.
The minister reportit that he waud be at this visitatioun(e) 15.. Clar. ii 160.
Clariodus … the water brocht … that he [sc. the Felloun] be baptisit wold c1590 J. Stewart 51/102.
So bendit beine he mycht not byd to crawe In Cupids luiflie ludge ingres till hawe Bot be bald battrie vold the blockhouse tak 1629 Kinghorn Kirk S. 32.
Untill the session adwysit quhat order they wold tak concerning [etc.] 1631 Elgin Rec. II 220.
‘Wold scho lay hir dead upon Elspet Watsone’ and scho said ‘indeid wold scho’ 1643 Strathbogie Presb. 38.
[He] answered he saw no law for him heir, and vold craw no law(f) 1638 Baillie I 84.
He shew in this he would see the king obeyed 1611-57 Mure Psalmes xxxix 1.
I said I would watch o'r my wayes(g) 1633 Hibbert P. No. 7.
[She] ansrit that sche wud do no thing till scho lokit about hir

24. Corresp. to sense 7, expressing a reaction in response to some external reason or circumstance: Was willing, prepared, disposed to. Cf. sense 25. (a) 1375 Barb. viii 457 (C).
For that he wes amourous He vald ysche fer the blithlyer c1420 Wynt. iv 1908.
Wytht bettyr wyll yhit othir ma In to that brynnand fyre walde [W. couth] ga … That in to serwytute to be 1460 Hay Alex. 2639.
Thai answerit … it was nocht his prowe To haue knawlege of his ending … Nocht than thai wald weill warn him of quhat dede [etc.] 1535 Stewart 46638.
The king … Commandand him out of Scotland to pas Or to relax … The proces … He chesit erar out of Scotland to ga, Or he wald fald or faill in ony thing 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6448.
At hir he did inquire, Quhat scho wald haue and fulfill his desire … Scho askit him ane hundreth florens 1574 Misc. Maitl. C. I 99.
Thair wes tyme and place grantit to all that wald appone thame thairto 1675 Kirkcaldy B. Rec. MS 22 Nov.
And seing that they in the name of the gildrie wald allow [etc.](b) 1677 Cunningham Diary 101.
To my Lady Ruthven in complete paymt of what she would take for the space we were with her

25. In negative constructions, corresp. to senses 22-24 chiefly sense 24: Was not willing, prepared or disposed to; refused to.(a) a1400 Leg. S. vii 489.
Josaphus wald nocht Consent til it 1456 Hay I 7/18.
[He] walde nocht thole thame to pas throu his boundis a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 90.
That sege wald sit with none wrang Of berne that wes borne a1500 Rauf C. 499.
For na gold … wald I … Be fundin fals to the King c1475 Wall. vi 890.
Wallace stud still and couth na handis ta Frendschipe to thaim na liknes wald he ma c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 348.
Bot quhen my billis and my bauchlis wes all braid selit I wald na langar beir on bridill bot braid up my heid 1517 Wigtown B. Ct. 75a.
Malcom vald nocht schaw ane euident or entres that he haid to the clayme forsaid 1561 St. A. Kirk S. 85.
Mr. Alexander … sayd the devill ane penne he wald spend upon the kyrk 1562-3 Winȝet I 7/3.
Afore thay dayis na man … wald resaue the office of ane pastour, quhil he wes almaist compellit thairto 1564 Inverness Rec. I 110.
The foirsaidis personis vald nocht gif weche a1568 Gyre-carling 28.
The hennis of Hadingtoun sensyne wald nocht lay For this 1572 Inverness Rec. I 219.
Quhen [I] … com to Dundye to rasaue the said salmond fra James Blayr, the said James wald nocht ansuer nor ken me for thame c1590 Fowler II 145/4.
He … quhome thow waldst not support [etc.] 1596 Dalr. II 16/10.
Alexander Setoun … defendet sa manfullie … that in extreme necessitie of prouisioun … he walde remit and gyue ouer nathing of his priuilege(b) 1619 Perth Kirk S. MS 5 Jan.
Agnes Wilsoun … being askit quhy scho waild not accompleisch mariage with James Colme … anserit [etc.](c) 1468 Lindores A. 163.
He declynyt the balȝe and sayd he wayd not be cureckyt be hym … He sayd he wald pas furth … ande he wuld not obey [etc.] 1514 Wigtown B. Ct. 30b.
Cubbe Cayne … vad nocht fynd sovuerte(d) a1500 Lanc. 753.
Neuermore he wolde Ryd of his lond, but in his cumpany O hundyre knyghtis 1518 Elphinstone Mun. 191/1.
That nethere I nor ony othere in my name … woolde or schulde … medle witht [etc.] 1560 Rolland Seven S. 3775.
Offerit him … gold Quhilk be na way ressaue fra him he wold 1568 Anderson Collect. Mary IV 132.
Her Highnes neither culd nor wold be juged in this cause c1590 J. Stewart 69/158.
[He] puls the comte quho vold not fald So that his girddis vas constraind to crak c1590 J. Stewart 228 § 112.
Bouw I vold nocht to that blindit bitche 1602 Dundonald Par. Rec. 4.
Marioun Blair … wold gif no derect ansuer c1610 Lanark B. Rec. 121.
Thomas Moat … sayes go pay your lawing. And he says he would no for him 1643 Strathbogie Presb. 38.
With many opprobrous speeches affirming that he vold not be corrected be him(e) 1468 Lindores A. 163 (see (c) above).
Wuld(f) 1650 Dumfr. & Galloway Soc. LI (1975) 54.
The chyld died also becaus the nurs wod not repeat the charme

26. Corresp. to sense 8: Was in the habit of, did habitually or consistently, was accustomed to, used to (do). Freq. accompanied by a reinforcing adv. or adv. phr., as ay, oft, mony tyme, etc.(a) 1375 Barb. i 310.
Quharfor in all hys lyve-tyme he … neuer wald for myscheiff faill Bot [etc.] a1400 Leg. S. xl 557.
That tyme wes na prelate That men gef til sa mikil state Ȝet wald he mekly on fete ga [etc.] c1420 Wynt. i 316.
Syndry spyrytys … Slepande women walde supprys … That gat thir geawndis c1420 Wynt. v 2312.
On hys face … Ay hys a fute he walde set … Apon his hors quhen he wald leipe c1450-2 Howlat 478 (A).
Oft wald he kiss it [sc. Bruce's heart], and cry: ‘O flour of all chewalry!’ 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 91.
Off hir curage, scho wald … Syng lyke the merle and crawe lyke to the coke a1568 Kennedy in Bann. MS 268a/19.
Gold and siluer that I micht gett … Frely to gife I wald nocht lett To pleis [etc.] 1620 Perth Kirk S. MS 6 June.
The said Jonat … waild now and than cwm [etc.] ?a1648 Polemo-Mid. 8.
Et vos skipperii, soliti qui per mare breddum Valde procul lanchare foris(b) 1571 Sat. P. xxix 32.
The preist, … his concubine wald hyde … And quhylis quhen he tyrit of ane wold gett in other c1590 J. Stewart 94/540, 541.
Syn quhan his raidge vold reull him … He at ane pull vold suddanlie vptak [etc.] 1662 Crim. Trials III 611.
He wold send me now and then [etc.] a1699 Skene Agric. MS (ed.) 68.
Peiss and beir wold be sowne immediatlie efter the land be tealed but vheit neids not be sowne immediatlie a1699 Skene Agric. MS (ed.) 68.
Infeild oates wold be sown about twentie dayis after the tealing of the land but owtfeild they teill it when they teill the wheit land 1699 Kirkton Hist. xxxvii.
They dwelt in houses of small branches of trees and they would not go into a great hall to take their dinner but they went into their booths

b. Of sustained action on a single occasion: Persisted in (saying), continued to (say), maintained. a1400 Leg. S. vii 483.
& thare wele foure dais can thai ley But met & drink & wald say That [etc.] 1547–8 Corr. M. Lorraine 222.
Thar was ane greit brut … in Berwek that the prences off Scotland vas deid and swm pwir folkis was weill content and uderis vas werray sorye. Swm vald say that weir vald ceis [etc.]

27. Corresp. to sense 9: Was able to, could. 1460 Hay Alex. 3022.
For blude that of the burnand irn out brast—Thair was na wark that in thair hand wald laste c1475 Wall. vii 423.
This trew woman thaim seruit weill … With lynt and fyr that haistely kendill wald a1578 Pitsc. II 106/19.
Thocht sowme of the nobilietie thocht this and proponitt the same it wald nocht sinke in thair heartis quhilk had sic bluid loue into France at that tyme they could nocht considder quhat was the weillfair of thair awin realme 1616 Dalyell Darker Superst. 118.
[This] wresting thread … wald mak ony wrest of man or beast haillproverb. a1598 Ferg. Prov. MS No. 1652.
Ye wold wyle the devil from ane blait body

28. absol. or ellipt.In uses corresp. to a. Sense 18 a. b. Sense 19. c. Sense 20.a. 1596 Dalr. II 203/25.
Al was as he wad and as he desyredb. 1375 Barb. viii 447.
& hald thar way Rycht as thai wald to Lanark far c1420 Wynt. viii 4776 (C).
Tharfor ewyn til hym he walde [: taulde] a1500 K. Hart 505.
His courtlie cloke begouth to fayd … Ȝit wald he nocht away 1558-66 Knox II 271.
Thai wald to France without delayc. 1460 Hay Alex. 2001.
The toun was opnit; all enterit that wald c1475 Wall. vii 385.
Caflis to cast about thir v began It wald on him … Continualy, quhill thai had castyn thrys c1475 Wall. xi 1400.
Quhill thai till him had done all at thai wauld [: hauld](b) 1584 Gowrie P. 39.
I was not so bastlye as to pane my awin accusatione, nather woute I

29. Corresp. to sense 12: Turned out to (be), was (were) going to (be); in expressing the anterior future, of things bound or arranged to take place, or things believed by the protagonist to be going to take place.(a) 1375 Barb. v 310.
Palme Sonday … than the folk off that countre Assemblyt at the kyrk wald be 1460 Hay Alex. 2645.
[They] Baid him be blyth for that [sc. his death] wald nocht be sone For mekill thing by him first suld be done 1496 Acta Conc. II 10.
Chargeng thame to do justice to baith the saidis partiis as thai wald ansuer to God 1590–1 Crim. Trials I ii 232.
Sche had foir-knawledge … gif thay wald leue or nocht c1610 Melville Mem. 66.
He again gessit that leasingis wald be maid against him 1619 Perth Kirk S. MS 23 Aug.
The paynttour that waild wndertak the said wark 1700 Jervise Memor. Angus & Mearns I 103.
I kent ay you wad doe this sin the day I lyed my hands on your head(b) 1631 Elgin Rec. II 220.
Elspet Watsone sould haue said to hir the seiknes of the bairne wold licht upon hir 1654 Johnston Diary II 272.
Shoe told me I behooved to quyte landwert labouring for I would not gett libertye to dwell their 1660 Aberd. Council Lett. IV 11.
Who appeirandlie only might be elected one of the members of the burgh of Edinburgh who wold … indeavour ther owne interest 1666 Laing MSS 349.
Sir George Mackenie (who wold not ly)

b. Corresp. to sense 12 c: In a noun clause expressing the object of a belief or judgment. 1375 Barb. i 89.
Thai trowyt that he as gud nychtbur … Wald hawe iugyt in lawte Bot othir-wayis all ȝheid the gle c1420 Wynt. viii 6810.
I trow thai walde … Rewarde thame … for thare bownte c1475 Wall. xi 1070.
Thai him said, in trewth he suld nocht de; King Eduuard wald kep him in gud saufte 1529 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 99.
Thir … arbitouris … said that thai hard Richert Brydin sayand to Jenot Portuus that scho mycht big ane fair hall anent the forgait, and the said Jenot said naye, that scho wald big nane 1545 Douglas Corr. 155.
I treste that thay vald be contentit to send ane harot for ane salfe condoyt … bot thay ville nocht that me Lord Leuttenent sal see ther commission [etc.] a1561 Q. Kennedy Breif Tract. (ed.) 118/17.
His discipulis quhilkis var vaik … quha belewit that our Saluiour wald hef giffin His flesche [etc.] a1578 Pitsc. II 106/23.
They feirit that thai wald never conqueise thair realme out of Inglischmens handis

II. In modal use.

30. As a main verb, in a hypothetical context: Would or should like, desire, wish, seek. a. With simple object. b. With clause object.a. c1490 Irland Asl. MS 5/1.
Sa dois he heir promittand to thé to lyve to thin eild and do pennance that standis in Goddis hand and the enemy wate nocht of ane of thai na wald nocht ane of thaim, bot all he dois for thi decepcioun 1533 Gau 11/13.
Quhat euer ȝe wald that men dw to ȝou dw ȝe sicklick to thayme 1567 Sat. P. v 139.
Gif ony be wald him na gude, Lat thame [etc.] 1573-1600 Burne Disput. in Cath. Tr. 148/12.
Quhat vald ye nou that ane pure man … sould do 1591-2 Rob Stene 16.
Till thay haif wrocht the thing thay wauld a1578 Pitsc. I 31/35.
All thame that vald the contrair 1587-99 Hume 19/70.
The eyes sa reddie are to see … what sa the fantasie waldb. 1375 Barb. ii 115.
Swet son … I wald blythly that thow war thar Bot [etc.] 1401 MacRae Early Sc. Texts No. 8.
For we ar thai at wald at gud acord war betwex yhu & hym 1443 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV 44.
We desire and wald that his said gudis war restoryt agayn sa that it nedyt vs not to entromet tharewith 1456 Hay II 59/31.
Quhare thai [sc. sloth, etc.] have evill thai wald it war wer c1475 Wall. viii 1029.
Schir Jhon the Graym wald at a bykkyr beyn c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 214/2.
How sould I rewill me … I wald sum wyse man wald devys a1540 Freiris Berw. 264 (B).
I wald the gudman wist that we wer heir c1540 Lynd. Syde Taillis 89.
I wald thay borrowstounis barnis had breikkis 1560 Rolland Seven S. 5868.
Ane lipros man … wald all men war seik as he 1562-3 Winȝet I 135/17.
Gif ȝe wald we war saifit be our awin fayth erar than be ȝouris 1568 Q. Mary in Facs. Nat. MSS III lviii.
I wald that in tyme of my faithful subiectis did sa mekil that thai war not behynd the hand 1570 Misc. Bann. C. I 50*.
This precept I wald your grace suld nocht forȝeit a1582 Sir Colling 89.
Said freik I vid ye flie Or I sall brikin ye full ryt 1584 Sempill in Sat. P. xlv Pref. 114.
Sen ye are wairned, I wald not ye were blekkit(b) 1693 Answ. Presb. Eloq. 66.
A wadd we had him again(c) 1570 Misc. Bann. C. I 49.
I wold he had bene brunt sewin yeir syne 1563-72 Ferg. Tracts 8.
I wold ye vnderstude [etc.]

c. Wald God, wolde (would) to God, expressing a longing or earnest desire.(1) a1500 Seven S. 805.
Wald God I had bene borne on beire That day 1522 Grant Burgh Schools 52.
Optatiuo modo, yarnand mode: utinam amatus essem … wald God I have bene lwfit 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 729.
Wald God I wer this daye with hym confest, And my deuyse dewlie be hym addrest 1536 Lynd. Answ. Flyting 3.
From ȝour flyting, wald God, that I wer fred c1552 Lynd. Mon. 6324.
Wald God (said I) ȝe did remane all ȝeir a1585 Maitl. Q. 209/40.
As I am wyife wald God that he war man c1590 Fowler II 25/13.
But wald God this had bene all, quhilk was ouer mekill 1596 Dalr. I 37/7.
A famous wniuersitie … quhilkes wald God thay at this tyme flurished alsweil in thair theologie, as thay flurishe in thair philosophie c1600 Montg. Suppl. i 11.
Wald God the day sall come anone That [etc.](b) a1578 Pitsc. I 21/20.
Wuld God I micht sie ane miserabill mischeiffe to befall thame 1611-57 Mure Dido & Æneas i 263.
Would to God that I … at Troy did ly!(2) a1538 Abell 50b.
Wald God gife this law wer kepit now a1605 Montg. Sonn. xlix 5.
Wald God if it wer gettible for geir!(b) 1584 Gowrie P. 30.
Wolde to God, yf this case were to be debated betwixt me & my malicious adversarie, bodie for bodie!(3) 1513 Doug. v iv 68.
Nor I byd not to stryve and wyn the gre, Howbeyt, wald God [L. quamquam o], that war a gloir to se!(4) c1616 Hume Orthog. 31.
We wish be wald God, God grant, and God nor

31. Corresp. to sense 2 b, with some contingent element. 1375 Barb. xvi 598 (C).
The gilt spuris … He suld … ger hew ȝow fra, Richt vald with cowardis men did swa a1400 Leg. S. xii 287.
Resone wald that [etc.] c1420 Wynt. vi 2160.
Thow can nothire hald na say That stedfast trowth wald or gud fay 14.. Burgh Laws c. 23 (A).
Ilk spousyt man sal ansuar for his wif … & doo for hyr at dome walde 1494 Loutfut MS 114a.
& this wald the law of armes a1568 Bann. MS 30a/79.
Rycht wald we suld lufe him agane c1590 Fowler I 233/21.
Reasoun wauld it so

32. As an auxiliary verb: With potential or conditional force, used to soften the present indicative as found in sense 3, and, hence, almost equivalent to it: Should like to or want to, would wish to, seeks to. Freq., with implication of intention, chiefly in p.t., as wald have (once wald a), also with omission of have: Should or would seek to, seeks to. Also proverb. b. Expressing (a degree of) politeness, deference or hesitation. Only 1st person. c. Of a thing or circumstance: Requires, needs, ought to. d. With personal subject: Should, ought to.Also const. Fain(e adv., Nedis adv. 2, qq.v. for further examples.(1) pres. 1401 MacRae Early Sc. Texts No. 8.
At the quilk acord he sayis he wald be gladly ?14.. Ship Laws c. 19 (A).
A schip cumis in … the chipmen wald haf thar hiris a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 380.
Father, I wald not be kend a1500 Colk. Sow iii 3.
Heir wald I tell of the thrid hid penny c1490 Irland Asl. MS 64/9, 64/11.
He [sc. the sinner] biggis him a hame … in hell quhar he wald neuer duell … and the place that God … has ordanit to him in the hevyne quhar he wald duell all his lyftyme he has lauborit to distroy c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 120/50.
Sum unworthy to browk ane stall Wald clym to be ane cardinall 1511 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III 107.
And send me vord quhat I sale do tharto for I wald nocht tak fra him na brokin compt 1513 Doug. viii Prol. 123.
Lovn, thou leys. Ha, wald thou fecht? 1560 Rolland Seven S. Prol. 12.
Greit lordis and lairdis the court wald hald in hand 1561 Crim. Trials I i 415.
The said James … aucht not to perise suppois he wald peris, quia non auditur perire volens 1570 Misc. Bann. C. I 40.
For all his raschnes in speiking he kenis weill ynoughe wherat he wald be 1634 Dumbarton B. Rec. 43.
Makkie said quhat thou wald be at, druken dyvor(b) ?1438 Alex. ii 7068.
That it war vtherwayes I na wold, Forsuith nocht for ane wall of gold a1568 Bann. MS 20a/16.
He that wold leif most lerne to dy c1590 Fowler I 47/15.
Sen thow wold know … I will thé tell 1611-57 Mure Early Misc. P. i 76.
Thoght thine owin eyes be blind, Ȝit woldst thou teach ane otherproverb. 1513 Doug. ix Prol. 13.
Do tyll ilk wight as thou done to waldbe a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1612.
They that meikle hes wald have mairp.t. a1400 Leg. S. ii 164.
The folk of Rowme, … Raisit in hym sedicione, And wald have brokyn his palace done c1420 Wynt. vi 2097 (W).
He sall thé set in mekle pane Sen that thov wald haif put his nek In till the ȝoke 1455 Aberd. B. Rec. MS V i 248 (29 Nov.).
His land … borch … for [etc.] … to be payt at a certane terme bipassit for the quhilkis … the said Dauid wald a distressit c1475 Wall. viii 1233.
Quhen scho him saw, scho wald haiff knelyt doune a1538 Abell 13a.
[He] wald haif had the king of Scitais dochtir in mariage 15.. Lichtoun Dreme 53 (M).
I tuik the sone beim in my neif And wald haue climmyng bot it wes in the clippis a1585 Maitland in Maitl. Q. 45/66.
Fra Pilat fand of deid na caus In Christ he wald haue lattin him ga — 1560 Rolland Seven S. 3053.
Ȝe say he wald deforcit ȝour quene 1560 Rolland Seven S. 8202.
Quhair scho sayis that I wald hir opprest That is in treuth ane lesing a1568 Gyre-carling 31.
The same North Berwick Law … This carling … wald away carreit(b) 1511 Treas. Acc. IV 314.
To ane brid of Leith that met the king in the gait, and wold have kissit hyme, xiiij s. — 1638 Rothes Affairs Kirk 7.
The bischops wold gladlie passed by the said petitions(2) c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 66/82.
He suld be luffit … That wald sa fane our luve obtene c1520-c1535 Nisbet I 7.
The vnnfaithfull that wald nedis haue takins 1567 G. Ball. 29.
The warld wald sauit be full faine, And cum to gloir, but croce or paine c1679 Kirkton Hist. 431.
The troupers would fain been awayb. c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus i 882.
‘Madame,’ said he,' … Sen this sa schort the mater cummis on case I wald require the copy of that quair' 1556 Lauder Off. Kings 529.
Ȝit humelie with hert inteir I wald beseik ȝour maiesteis [etc.] 1560 Waus Corr. 22.
The samyn commendatioun of seruice I vaild ye maid to my lordis of Cassellis, [etc.] … I vaild also [etc.] 1561 Q. Kennedy Compendious Ressonyng (ed.) 169/24.
Quhairfoir I wald pray ȝou that ȝe will mak ane schorte rehers of the effect and substance of ȝour ressoning 1558-66 Knox VI 205.
Spirat, ergo vivit, as I wald say, he aindes ergo he lives 1609 Acts IV 421/1.
And I wald wische that ȝour lordschip wald [etc.] c1616 Hume Orthog. 10.
Heer I wald commend to our men quhae confoundes these the imitation of the south, quhilk doth wel distinguish these soundes(b) 1544 Douglas Corr. 153.
I wold be verie glad to knowe [etc.] 1629 Bk. Carlaverock II 114.
Yowr lordship hes never … acqwentit me withe yowr lordships mynd in that particular quhat yowr lordship wold have from me for itc. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 115/16.
Ȝit wald my mouth be wet with drink 1549 Compl. 29/31.
That passage of essaye vald be veil considrit ande nocht to be vndirstandin be the letteral expositione 1606 Reg. Privy C. VII 239.
This is a verie heich cryme in the tryall quhairof thair wald be men … quha hes knawledge to discerne upoun everie pointproverb. c1508 Ch. & M. Prints iiia 60.
Mekill walde haf mare a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 60.
Ane evil yuke wald have a gude clawer a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1114.
Meikle eat wald have meikle weit a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 250.
A wisnand wind wald have a weit(b) a1599 Rollock Wks. I 303.
The wordis would be weyit particularlied. a1658 Durham Comm. Rev. 26.
None are exempted … were it the disciple whom Jesus loved … yet he must be a companion in tribulation … Folks would not think this strange, that afflictions light on these whom Christ loves best: the servant is not greater than the lord. It should comfort sufferers … to be sufferers for Christ 1661–5 Sel. Biog. II 74.
You would know that there are degrees of sympathie according as the case requires … You would know that every time is not fitt for all expressions of sympathie … for in doing so I should make his heart glad which God would have made sad

33. In the apodosis of a conditional sentence, variously const., with personal subject, implying intention or volition: Should choose or be willing to, should intend to.(1) 1375 Barb. iv 480.
‘Dame,’ said the king, ‘wald thou me vis To that place … I wald [E. sall] revard thé' a1400 Leg. S. Prol. 97.
Ȝet vald I & I mycht, Na var eld & falt of sycht, Of the twelf appostolis spek now ?1438 Alex. ii 2018.
Gif all ȝour wissis sa sone suld fall I wald I had ane of thame 1401 Aberd. B. Rec. I 380.
At the quhilk accord he sayis he wald be gladly and sal nocht leve in his defaute c1420 Wynt. viii 6668.
That walde I fayne ware at assay Quhare we mycht fecht wyth ewyn menye And ane of thame thare wald I be 1460 Hay Alex. 179, 182.
Gif I him put to foster … All men will say [etc.] … And also quhan he cummis to perfyte age I wald haue dred to mak ane wrangus are … And all my freindis that suld succeid me to Wald say [etc.] c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 120/38.
The temporale stait to gryp and gather The sone disheris wald the father c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 131/1.
Complane I wald, wist I quhome till 1535 Stewart 49723.
The quhilk petitioun he did sone deny; ‘For all the gold that war wnder the sky Wald I be fals to him’ agane said he 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1272.
Wee wald be weil content To harbrie ȝow … War nocht [etc.] 15.. Christis Kirk 33 (M).
He wald haue luffit hir, sche wald nocht lat him 15.. Clar. iii 1547.
He saw ane window and wald have lappin out; His fellowis them assemblit him about Withholding him among them 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 31.
Being assurit gif he come in the quene of Inglandis power that of hir accustumat clemency … scho wald not abandoun him 1645 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 57.
This toun sould be put in a present posture of defence … otherwayes he wald put in a garison a1681 Welsh Churches Paradox 18.
I wad bide it out and I kent how long it would continue(b) 1559 Knox VI 80.
If I did not perfetlie understand their necessitie I woolde not write so precislie 1639 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 252.
And when I consider of them … I would have beene content to have crupten on my knies to Aberdene to have seene such an Assembly as this(2) c1400 Troy-bk. i 434.
Quhen that scho wist That thai wald trawaile quhen scho lyst … Scho wald gere … That thing be sped c1420 Wynt. viii 5233.
Qwhen I sall pas owt off this lyve I wald God off his grace wald send To me on swylk manere till end a1578 Pitsc. I 234/4.
Quhene I was sade he wald gif me comfort(3) 1560 Rolland Seven S. 7411.
The knicht quhome to I gaue sic confidence … On him alone I wald haue lippinnit my life c1593 Misc. Spald. C. I 5.
I … hes grantit ane assurans … that thaes that refusit the form that your maiestie set doun your maiestie uald be partie

34. In the apodosis of a conditional sentence (expressed or implied), in the 2nd or 3rd pers., expressing a possibility or contingency in a supposed case, and without any implication of intention. Also proverb.(a) 1460 Hay Alex. 3460.
Me think that sould nocht be … that I sould … fle … Quhat wauld men say? 1490 Irland Mir. I 31/36.
All creaturis … wauld turne in noucht, ware nocht that He sustenis thaim 1492 Myll Spect. 277/5.
Quhen thow art our riche and wald be pelit of thi gudis a1500 Bk. Chess 618.
Quhen ȝe kyth to frendis ȝour gud will The gud will speik thocht ȝe wald hald ȝow still 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 733.
Wald God thay war present My infortune, forsuith, thay wald forthink, And conforte me 1535 Stewart 3596.
For all the blythar wald the bankit be, That euirilk lord mycht luke on his ladie 1551 Hamilton Cat. 236.
A man haffand displesure at his wife wald geve to hir a libel of partising a1578 Pitsc. I 141/12.
Prayand him to deceist … wtherwayis that he wald exasperat thame of Ingland to wraith a1605 Montg. Flyt. 411 (T).
Thir venerabill virginis quhome ȝe wald call wiches 1596 Dalr. I 1/16.
I hoped … that quhen our cuntrey men began to compair the vices … with the vertues … the radier walde thay ryse frome thair darke errouris in quhilkes thay ar incloset 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 113/1.
Bring not hame … sicc as ye finde standing banished … be me, the contraire ualde kythe in you ouir greate a contempt of me c1616 Hume Orthog. 9.
If we wer sure how ει was pronunced in those dayes this auctoritie wald over-weegh our reason 1619 Innes Sketches 522.
Ye wald say that he wearis his belt as men sayis Mr. George Buchanan did weare his the dowblet is growen so schort — 1568 Q. Mary in Ellis Orig. Lett. II (1824) 253.
And ȝe send oni to ȝour wiff ȝe mey asur her schu wald a bin weilcom to a pur strenger a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 99 (W).
Quha wald haue tyrit to heir that tune?(b) a1568 Bann. MS 140b/7.
Tha monstrows mandraggis Wall myre ane studfull of staggis And fle thame throw beir(c) 1625 Fraserburgh Kirk S. II 24 July.
Giff thay … obeyit not thay waud be … censourit a1681 Cargill Lecture and Sermon 12.
Wade any body think that he should speak so to a king?(d) a1500 Lanc. 748.
Hyme thoght that it his worschip wold degrade If he [etc.] 1597 Crim. Trials II 26.
Scho … gaif him to vnderstand that he wold get his health be this meanis 1638 Rothes Affairs Kirk 132.
For … if his lordship sould stay at Dalkeith as it wold be incommodious for the petitioners so wold it make the bussines fashious and longsome c1679 Kirkton Hist. xxxvii.
Would ye not thought it a strange thing for a man to [etc.] … would you not have thought that ill-spent time? 1686 G. Stuart Joco-Ser. Disc. 70.
Wou'd wak'ned Neptune(e) 1666 Laing MSS 354.
If carabins sould be had for the 5 troups it voild advans the serves much(f) 1513 Doug. ii Prol. 2.
Melpomene, on thé wald clerkis … [E., R. warld, L. vyld clerkis] call Fortill compyle this dedly tragedy 1629 Black Orkn. & Shetl. Folklore 77.
Ye was angrie and said although he wald not giff you credit otheris wyld giff you creditproverb. a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 90.
All wald have all, all wald forgive a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 909.
Ye wald do little for God an the devil were dead a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 228.
Do in hill as ye wald do in hall a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 440.
Do the day as thow wald doe the morne(b) a1598 Ferg. Prov. MS No. 1680.
Quhen others shood weeip he wold sing

35. In a conditional clause or its equivalent, with personal subject, implying intention or volition: Desires, desired, seeks, might seek, sought, intends, etc., chooses, etc., is willing, etc. b. With non-material subject: Could, might.(1) a1400 Leg. S. vi 53.
As thai vald the kingis dedenȝe Eschev na manne suld fenȝe c1420 Wynt. vi 1048.
All tha till hym in lyff he yhawld Tak thame till hym gywe he wauld ?14.. Ship Laws c. 1 (H).
And gif he … has sauld part of his sault and part wald leid in an vthir cuntre he sall [etc.] c1475 Wall. x 723.
Gud Erll off Huntyntoun … Wald ye wyth men agayn on thaim raleiff … I sall [etc.] 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 545.
Thair riche entire … My wit can not discriue, howbeit I wald 1513 Doug. x xi 63.
Thocht thou in deid Waldyst [Ruddim. waldest] appreif … That [etc.] 1516 Acts XII 37/1.
We assure … ȝoure grace … that gif he wald depart outwart the realme we wald nocht assent thairto 1549 Compl. 130/31.
Ane pure man can commit na trason contrar ane prince, bot gif that he vald hasȝard his lyif c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 28.
I intend, Sa Minerue wald me Sapience send, Ane nobill squyer to discryfe 1567 G. Ball. 41.
Gif thay the way wald knaw a1570-86 Maitland in Maitl. F. 39/70.
We cum to bar with iak of steill As we wald bost the iuge 1571 Bann. Trans. 188.
There is left no pleas of doubt, as vanelie and lienglie thou waldes pretend 1571 Bann. Trans. 200.
I am compellit to stick vpon mony thingis farther than I wauld vtherwayis doe 1619 Innes Sketches 522.
Ye wald send alsmekle cloth as wald be ane gown to Jhone, and his old gown wald serue for ane gown to Duncane 1634 Peebles Gleanings 162.
William Lowis being demandit be the counsell quhidder he wald repair … the calsayis(b) a1500 Colk. Sow Prol. 21.
Than lat ws mak sum sport … Wold my lordis do se quho wold begin it 1513 Doug. iv i 65 (1553).
Wolt 1602 Colville Paraenese 163.
Vold thou then knou the incertenty of thy speculatyue knouleg thou must go a litill out from it(2) 14… Edinb. Univ. MS La.ii.318.
The first nycht quhen thai wald ly By hir 1528 Lynd. Dreme 469.
To aulde Saturne he makis resistance, Quhen, in his malice, he walde wyrk vengeance(3) 1375 Barb. i 312.
He … neuer wald for myscheiff faill Bot dryve the thing rycht to the end And tak the vre that God wald send c1420 Wynt. vi Prol. 30.
Quha this wald argwe wylfully, Lat hym be answeryd rycht lychtly c1420 Wynt. vi 2097.
Quhilk off thame wald wyth hym ga, He suld [etc.] 1456 Hay II 41/10.
A squyer that walde be knycht a1500 K. Hart 427.
King Hart that … wantis nocht in warld that he wald wis c1520-c1535 Nisbet I 15.
To beware of sik as wald mak thaim beleif [etc.] 1521–2 Acts XII 39/1.
Mervelling … that [ȝoure grace] suld reput ws of sa small honoure … that we for … proffit … wald oureluke the suryte of oure naturale prince 1549 Compl. 4/8.
For quha vald considir the longinquite of his martial voyaige [etc.] c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2813.
Nynvs luffit so ardentlye Semeramis … Thare wes no thyng scho wald command, Bot al obeyit wes a1578 Pitsc. I 243/5.
He was callit the blak knicht quha gave battell to all thame that wald fecht 1596 Dalr. I 2/16.
Gif quha walde knawe the name of Britannie monie referris it vnto Brutus 1600-1610 Melvill 66.
Commandit his sone to … offer him selff to what sort of discipline the principall … wald put him tob. c1420 Wynt. i Prol. 49.
Lordys gywe youre curtasy Forbere me in this juperty And fra thaire lethe walde me defende [etc.]

36. In a contingent clause (hypothetical, temporal or relative with undetermined antecedent), merely expressing a condition or supposition, without any implication of intention: Should, were to. b. After (rycht) as, = were about to. 1375 Barb. v 125 (C).
A quhill in Carrik lendit he, To se quha frend or fa vald be a1400 Leg. S. v 593.
That quha-se-euire vald almus crafe For luf of Sancte Johne suld hafe c1420 Wynt. iv 2368.
Thai priwe lettrys closyd fand That warnyd off his dede hade bene Giff he before wald thame have sene c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. (STS) 291.
Quhen that the chuf wald me chid … I vald him chuk 1513 Doug. ii x 20.
Dreding les the Troianys wald … kast sum way for hir distructioun 1513 Doug. xii iv 112.
Stabill all sall haldyn be: All thocht the erth wald myddill with the see 1522 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 64.
James Ellot … said he was content to paye hir his maill for it [sc. the house] he inhabit so scho wald hald the said James harmles 1524 Wigtown B. Ct. 157b.
Ane polk at vald tak a boll of corne 1531 Bell. Boece (M) I 52.
To haiff ane ȝoung prince regnand … is siklyke as quhai wald behald the commoun wele passand to vttir rewyne 1571 Events Q. Mary & Jas. VI 65.
The hail soume ressavit as ȝit is littil mair nor wald entertaine the castle thir four monethis bygaine a1585 Maitl. Q. 161/41.
Wald michtie Joue grant me the hap [etc.] c1616 Hume Orthog. 2.
If it wald please the supreme majestie to command [etc.] 1619 Innes Sketches 522 (see 34 (a) above). 1668 Rothesay B. Rec. 160.
Donald Ure being desyrous to depart John Galie desyrit him to stay quhill he wald pay his drink a1681 Cargill Lecture and Sermon 7.
Any body wade have thought that he wade have said(b) 1570 Bann. Memor. 74.
Sic jeasting and mocking meanes and countenance as wold haue irritate … the most patient fleshe leving a1578 Pitsc. I 389/29.
Schaw thame thy mynd lyk as thow wold schow to me 1635 Innes Sketches 521.
Onlie thus your worship wold resolwe at quhois charges I mist go [etc.] a1639 Spotsw. Hist. (1677) 225.
For if our adversaries would rested content with our former answer [etc.]b. c1420 Wynt. viii 5799.
We sal fenyhe ws as we wald fle c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 146.
First of all … Come dame Beautee, rycht as scho wald me schent(b) 15.. Dunb. App. iii 18.
Sum drowpis down as he wold die

37. In a noun clause expressing the object of a request or wish, where the main clause verb is in a. The present tense. b. The past tense.a. (1) 1401 MacRae Early Sc. Texts No. 8.
It is our consale & we requir yhu that … yhe wald asith gif yhe ocht aw hym a1508 Want of Wyse Men 2 (Ch. & M.).
I wald sum clerk of connyng walde declerde 1500 Edinb. B. Rec. I 80.
The quhilkis [craftsmen] present till ws thare supplicatioun desyrand … that we wald graunt [etc.] 1535 Stewart 27399.
Beseikand him … he wald for thame prowyde 1560 Rolland Seven S. 82.
Inwartlie praying That he wald cum to hir a1578 Pitsc. I 5/21.
I exhortt Ȝow gentill readdaris … That ȝe wald … it support c1600 Montg. Suppl. ix 96.
Desyring ȝow that it war knawin, That ȝe wad marie me 1609 Acts IV 421/1.
I wald wische that ȝour lordschip wald … come … and thaireftir I suld meit ȝour lordschip in Leith(b) 1656 Dumfries Kirk S. 3 Jan.
Intimation is to be maid that the people wold wyt on & not rush furth in tyme of the ordinances bot wold submitt themselves to attend the wholl work of the Saboth 1678 Turner Mem. 264.
I wish that wer the worst wer intended, then I hope our inocensie wold soon relieve us(2) 1456 Hay I 230/29.
Do me na wrang bot do me richt lawe and gif I aw to be prisounare that I be prisounare and gif I aw nocht to be it that ȝe wald hald me free man c1552 Lynd. Mon. 33.
Geue thay in the fynd wrang narratioun, That thay wald pleis thy faltis to remyt ?15… Corr. M. Lorraine 441.
Gyf God takis me at your grace wald be helplyk to my wyfb. a1400 Leg. S. xiii 13.
& thai … cane pray Sanct Mark that he … Vald trawele [etc.] a1400 Leg. S. xvi 506.
He prait tham … That thai wald [etc.] … cary that body til the hill c1400 Troy-bk. ii 43 (C).
Sche … preyed hym … That he for hyr wald trete the pece With Menelayus 1460 Hay Alex. 3451.
Than callit he Philott and till him sade That he [sc. Philott] wauld pas and hartlie till him prayd Till Alexander a1578 Pitsc. I 31/29.
The chancellar requeistit his graice effectuouslie as he wald be sa guide as to [etc.]

38. absol. and ellipt.In uses corresp. to a. Senses 18 and 31. b. Sense 19. c. Sense 20. Also proverb.a. (1) 1456 Hay II 59/35.
He has … dule of that, that thai have nocht sa mekle evill as he wald 1513 Doug. v xi 101.
Beroes … Lyand seyk at hame and ful ennoyit wight That scho alane suld want this ryal syght And as scho wald mycht not mak sacryfyce(b) 1641 Baillie I 363.
About the lite for a new moderator … the former moderator lited whom he would 1694 Boharm Kirk S. 9 Sept.
She … said she would bake whether the minister and elders would or notproverb. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 591.
Give a bairne quhen it wad and a quhelp quhill his taill wag, there will never come gud of them baith(2) 1549 Compl. 79/28.
Bot, as God vald, he vas schamefully chaissit furtht of France 1560 Rolland Seven S. 52.
Incontinent in heuin vp to be brocht Contrair Gods will, quhidder He wald or nocht(3) 1389–90 Reg. Cambuskenneth 259.
To deme and to determe as lauch and richt wald and all actionis betuene [etc.] 1424 Lanark & R. 283.
Bot ilk an entercomovn with uther … , to by and sel as gude nychtburhede walde 14.. Acts I 334/2.
That maliciously and again the law thai occupy mar space between the hup and the myln stan … than law vald 1456 Hay I 223/12.
And now mon we se quhat justice and resoune wald in this mater 1622-6 Bisset II 103/34.
Reservand to the said air his actioun of releif … as law waldb. c1420 Wynt. viii 4778.
Tharefor evyn till hym he wald And come so nere … That [etc.]c. 1375 Barb. iv 482, 483.
I rycht blythly wald thaim se And swa trow I that thai wald me a1400 Leg. S. xxvii 356.
God his hart able ay mad To lere that he wald but bad 1520 Fife Sheriff Ct. 171.
He mycht allege … quhat he wald 1535 Stewart 27406.
Puir pepill … That mycht thame weild evin as him awin self wald 1596 Dalr. I 223/25.
[He] began to jnvie gif he saw him selfe set laicher than he waldeproverb. a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 311.
He that speakes the thing he should not hears the things hee would not