Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†MEASE, v. Also mese, mees, meise; meyse (Cai. 1903 E.D.D.). [mi:z]
1. To soothe, to pacify, to calm down, to alleviate suffering, to mitigate.Sc. 1721 J. Kelly Proverbs 138:
He should be sindle angry, that has few to mease him.Sc. 1802 Scott Minstrelsy I. 159:
But whae's this kens my name sae weil, And thus to mese my waes does seik?wm.Sc. 1837 Laird of Logan II.137:
The voice forever dumb that could have meased their sorrows.s.Sc. 1837 Wilson's Tales of the Borders III. 235:
It may even be — God meise the means! — that your weak hands may yet be required to work for the support o 'yer auld parents.Sc.(E) 1913 H. P. Cameron Imit. Christ ii. ii. 56:
Whan a man laighens hissel for his fauts, he than eithlie meases ithers an' sune satisfees thae wha are wrathy at him.
2. tr. Of picked fruit: to mellow, to hasten the process of ripening, to mature, by laying out on straw or chaff (Rxb. 1825 Jam., me(i)se).
[O.Sc. mes, to quench fire, from a.1400, mesing, abating, c.1420, = 1. from 1456. Aphetic form of O.Sc. ameyss, 1375, O.Fr. ame(i)sier, to calm, pacify, amaisir, to agree.]
