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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.

Diligent, Deligent, a. Also: dilligent, diliegent; delygent, del(i)egent. [ME. diligent (1340), deligent, OF. diligent, L. dīligens.]

1. Of persons, etc.: Constant in application or work; assiduous. Freq. const. to (with inf.), in, for, on.(a) c1420 Wynt. v. 4808.
He … To mak lawys set hys intent, And thame to hald wes diligent 1456 Hay II. 46/25.
That he … be besy and diligent in the commoun prouffit Ib. 77/14.
Besy and diligent of thy governaunce a1500 Henr. Fab. 24.
Sa gais the man that is ay diligent … in studying a1500 Bernardus 222.
Lat thi mynde and thine inwart entent On odyr maters be sade and diligent 1513 Doug. i. Prol. 129.
Quhen twelf ȝheris he had beyn diligent To study Virgill 1533 Gau 106/12.
Ane diligent reder ma collec to gider al the promissis of Christ 1551 Hamilton Cat. 36.
In his commandis be yow diligent 1562-3 Winȝet II. 60/20.
A diligent and a war keipar of that doctrine a1578 Pitsc. I. 73/1.
The Scotismen war right diliegent to prepair al … thingis 1604 Urie Baron Ct. 8.
The said Stewyne to be radie and dilligent … to serwe the ground(b) 1490 Irland Mir. I. 63/15.
The devin prouidence was mare deligent for his saule … than for … his body a1500 Seven S. 626.
The child was ay Deligent in all that he may a1500 Bk. Chess 1776.
Thir folk suld be richt deligent to kepe Thar gestis graith 1513 Doug. iii. viii. 15.
In his dedis deligent, Palynurus furth of his cowch vpsprent 1549 Compl. 163/8.
To gar ȝou be vigilant and delegent to keip … the liberte of ȝour faculte a1578 Pitsc. I. 79/27.
Gif he had benesa deliegent in punisching of murtheraris 1622-6 Bisset I. 5/34.
Johnne, bischope of Rose, that … deligent and paneful choronologiare

2. Of actions, etc.: Prosecuted assiduously or with care and attention. 1454–5 Edinb. Chart. etc. 79.
Foralsmekle as Williame of Prestoune … mad deligent labour … for the gettyn of the arme bane of Sant Gele 1485 Peebles B. Rec. 29.
That ye mak ane deligent inquisicioun and knauledge to be takin thairuppoun 1500 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 85.
Gif thai clenge nocht thair said guidis … the provest and baillies will tak diligent inquisitioun c1552 Lynd. Mon. 596.
Men … That in thare ȝouth, be deligent laubour, Hes leirnit Latyne 1579 Aberd. B. Rec. II. 34.
To be admitted … efter dilligent tryell and examinatioun of thair habilitie 1602 Conv. Burghs II. 140.
The skipper sal tak delegent attendance vpoun the geir