A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1400-1549, 1610-1645
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Delving, Delfing, -yng, vbl. n. [ME. delvynge (14th c.).] The act of digging; a piece of ground dug. Also attrib. with spade. 14.. Acts I. 376/2.
Giff a theff brek in a hous or vndermynis it wyth delfyng 1546 Ex. Processes (Reg. H.) Merschell v. Muire.
Ane delving spaid, price iij s. ?1549 Monro W. Isles 59.
This ile … will give maire nor twa hundred bows of beire, with delving only 1610 Dundonald Par. Rec. 210.
Iohne Blakvod, … accused … for delving of earth on the Saboth, denyit the delveing 1616 Orkney & Zetl. Sheriff Ct. 37 b.
With … medowis, gers, delvingis, mossis & pertinentis 1623–4 Peebles B. Rec. 412.
To William Geddes … for delfing of faill about the maircheis 1645 Melrose R. Rec. I. 112.
The just thrid of the yaird … that hes ever bein usit in tilling or delfing
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"Delving vbl. n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/delving>
