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.
OCCUPY, v. Also Sc. forms occupe(e) (Sc. 1893 Stevenson Catriona xv.; Abd. 1929 J. Alexander Mains & Hilly 167); occkypee (Abd. 1875 G. Macdonald Malcolm lxi.).
Sc. usages: to employ, make use of (Sc. 1782 J. Sinclair Ob. Sc. Dial. 91); to be busy with, to employ oneself in. Obs. in Eng. since 16th c. [′ok(j)əpi]Abd. 1774 C. Keith Farmer's Ha' xv.:
Lasses, occupy your wheel, And strait the pin.Kcd. 1819 J. Burness Plays, etc. 310:
Gif he his trade would occupy, He might himself by that supply.
