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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

Distans, Distance, n. Also: dyst-, distawns, distaunce, dystans, distantis. [ME. distaunce, -ance, destance (c 1300), OF. des-, distance, L. distantia.]

1. Discord, disagreement, dissention. 1375 Barb. vii. 620.
Tharfor emang thame sudanly Thair rais debate and gret distans c1420 Wynt. v. 2464.
This Aurilyane in till Frans Gret werys amesyd, and distans Ib. vii. 2300, etc.
Phylipe than the kyng off Frawns In till the tyme off this dystawns [etc.] a1500 Henr. III. 141/29.
It is the grund of stryf and all distance c1475 Wall. viii. 1113.
Na man was thar that durst to Wallace wend. The queyn apperyt, and saw this gret distance a1500 Seven S. 1901.
Quhilk causit distance and mekle stryf Betuix the burges and his wyf a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. cviii. 45.
I pray the loving lord … That never mair be distance nor discord

b. But (or withoutin) distans, without debate or doubt; absolutely, fully. a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 735.
We sall addres to that dome but distans Ib. 1163, etc.
As gracious God … Has grathit the hevin but distance till endure a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 1362.
But dreid I sall thé warand … Fre as I thé first fand, With outin distance

2. Remoteness in space. c1420 Wynt. i. 1202.
Alpes … Departand Ytaly fra Frawns, Be marchis, merys, and distawns 1490 Irland Mir. I. 58/31.
Ane of the sternis is mare than all the erd, thocht it appere and seme little for the gret distaunce 1622-6 Bisset II. 219/16.
That all inhabitantis of the sea coistis of ane myle distantis thairfra mak thare watche upoun the samin coistis