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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

PRIZE, v.1 Also prise, pryse, pryze. Sc. forms and usages: to estimate the quality and money value of some commodity, to valuate, appraise. Derivs. prization, n., a valuation, estimate (Abd. 1825 Jam.), priser, pryser, an official appointed to value goods, buildings or the like, a valuator, estimator (Sc. 1710 T. Ruddiman Gl. to Douglas Aeneis, priser). Vbl.n. prizing, the act of valuing, a sample or lot of goods which have been passed by the valuer; comb. prizing-penny, the fee or percentage taken by the valuer.Slg. 1709 Balgair Court Min. (S.R.S.) 9:
Some hay quhilk he had prysed ffor his own use by the sworn Birlamen of the ground.
Ags. 1727 Arbroath T.C. Rec. MSS. (2 Oct.):
They appoint Provost John Allardice, and Bailie Hunter or any on of them with one of the present Magistrats and Dean of Gild to be dyke prysers and lyners.
Ags. 1762 J. M. Beatts Municipal Hist. Dundee (1873) 122:
That the Glover trade shall have the prizeing of the lamb skins and the ordinary prizeing penny.
Abd. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 XIX. 298:
It [wood] was sold, till lately, at 3d. per cubic foot; but for some years past at 4d. in lots, or prizings, as they call it.
Knr. 1814 P. Graham Agric. Knr. 34:
Sometimes they are prized over to the tenant at his entry, and are again prized at his removal; and he pays the difference of these apprizements.
Kcb. 1827 Curriehill:
It's ill prizin' green bear.

[O.Sc. priss, pryss, a.1375, prise, v., 1445, prisar, a valuer, 1445. The meanings to reckon (a value), to estimate (a price), to esteem highly, are all first found in Sc. in Barbour, the forms fluctuating between prize and price, which has now replaced the voiced form in Sc. and Eng. exc. in the sense of to esteem highly.]

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