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.
†LIZOUR, n., v. Also liz(z)ure, -ir, lizar, lezzur, lezor, lizor, lesor, lisor, leis(s)ure, lesure; lesew, leswa, leezie, lyse-. [′lɪzə(r), ′li:z-]
I. n. A strip of pasture between two pieces or ridges of arable ground or in a corner or margin of a ploughed field in which cattle are grazed and herded (Ayr. 1811 W. Aiton Agric. Ayr. 692; Rnf., Lnk., Ayr. 1880 Jam.; Ayr. 1902 E.D.D.).Sc. 1728 in Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) II. 72:
But, Lad, neist Mirk we'll to the Haining Drive, When in fresh Lizar they get spleet and rive.Peb. 1805 J. Nicol Poems II. 4:
Then on the Leezies level ground, They green-swaird divots diggit.Abd. 1847 Session Papers, Fife Trustees v. Lumsden (17 June) 3:
The haill houses, biggings, yards, orchards, tofts, crofts, mosses, muirs, marshes, meadows, leizures, commonty, common pasturage.
Comb. lyse-hay, hay mowed off pasture land, and not off meadows (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 325).
II. v. Of a farmer: to pasture or graze cattle; of the cattle: to feed, browse (Rnf. 1837 Crawfurd MSS. XI. 317; Per. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XI. 106; Rnf., Lnk., Ayr. 1880 Jam.).Bte. 1705 Rothesay T.C. Rec. (1935) II. 567:
The calfe ward being rouped … the same is sett to him for a yeir who is obleist to permitt the tounes calfes therin to lizour.
