Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CAUSE, v.
†1. With inf., as to cause make, to cause something to be made.Sc. 1730 in C. D. Bentinck Dornoch Cath. and Par. (1926) 283:
The Session agreed to a proposal “to cause build a loft for the Scholars learning Latine allenarly about the Turnpike.”Sc. 1897 Chamber's Biog. Dict, 428:
If he [Graham of Claverhouse] caused shoot John Brown, the "Christian Carrier", it was after finding of arms and refusal to take the oath of abjuration.Abd. 1736 in A. Watt Early Hist. Kintore (1865) 97:
That the several tennents cause sufficiently sift their sd. ferms.Wgt. 1702 in G. Fraser Lowland Lore (1880) 24:
And we . . . recommends to ye minister to cause intimat this act upon Sabbath nixt, yt non may pretend ignorance.
†2. To make or render. Obs. in Eng. since 1579 (N.E.D.).Bnff. 1721 in W. Cramond Annals Bnff. (1891) I. 193:
Orders the provest . . . to speak to John Reid, cloack maker, notice the kirck knock, and report what will be needfull to cause her right.