Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
PRISON, n., v. Also prizen (Kcb. 1815 J. Gerrond Poems 134), presin- (Bnff. 1725 Annals Bnff. (S.C.) I. 95). Sc. forms and usages:
I. n. As in Eng. Deriv. prisoner, n., in comb. prisoner's relief, the game of prisoner's base, see also Relief. Also in form prisoners, id. (Sc. 1825 Jam.).
II. v. To take or keep prisoner, to imprison (I.Sc. 1966). Now only poet. or n. dial. in Eng. Vbl.n. prisoning, imprisonment. Hence †prisoner, n., a jailer (Rxb. 1870); †prisonment, n., imprisonment.Ags. 1794 W. Anderson Piper of Peebles 13:
He's prison'd an' examin'd too.Sc. 1897 W. Beatty Secretar xlviii.:
Since the taking and prisoning of the queen, there have been great doings.Sh. 1898 Shetland News (2 April):
Dey'll summons, prison, an' fine a puir body for shuttin' a corby.Arg. 1898 N. Munro J. Splendid xxxi.:
We ken all about your prisoning.Kcb. 1898 Crockett Standard Bearer xviii.:
The laird of Earlstoun had been a mighty Covenanter, and now wore his prisonments and sufferings somewhat ostentatiously.
