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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.

Dytement, Ditement, n. Also: dyt-, ditment. [e.m.E. dytement, ME. ditement, indictment (a 1308), OF. ditement.]

1. Style of composition or writing. 1533 Boece vii. iii. 225.
Thir bukis … mair resembill the eloquence of Salust than the ditement of Liuius 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 97.
Ye sall persaue the same to be the dytment and fals style of a flattering oratore

2. A written composition or work. 1554 Misc. Bann C. III. 83.
We submit oure self and the dytement … to the correction of ȝour Kinglie Maiestie 1556 Lauder Off. Kings 530.
I wald beseik your Maiesteis My dytement did you not displeis 1562-3 Winȝet I. 25/12.
Ane form of ditement maid for caus of exercise and priuat studie Ib. 33/5.
The ruidnes of my dytement, haistely wryttin in feruor of spirit 1573 Cath. Tr. 3/19.
Thair is within his buke and dytment sum thingis nocht meakle appertenand to the caus c1590 Fowler II. 34/14.
That thou sould haue na cause … to accuse me in depriuing thy dytement, … I haue set downe a portioun of thy letter 1629 Mure True Cruc. 937.
Their dytments who did him behold, And left his words … & death enrold

3. a. Dictation (of matter to be written). 1533 Boece v. x. 183 b.
Quhais ingyne was … sa prompt and reddy, that vij wretaris successiue mycht skantlie suffice to resaue his dytement 1575 Misc. Maitl. C. I. 112.
The buik of the Makabeis … wes not the ditment of the spreit of God

b. Dictation, direction, instruction. 1560 Bk. Disc. 217.
Everie natioun, first protestand … to follow the sinceir ditement of thair consciences, shall nominat ane of the said thre 1585 Calderwood IV. 277.
A good intentioun is that which, proceeding from the inward dytement of God's Spirit [etc.]. 1600 Hamilton Facile Tr. 25.
What foiie is it in men to beleue that [this] … is the dytment of the halie spirit? 1599 Hume Chr. Prec. 200.
Craue light of God … that thou be not guided be the … ditement of flesh and bloud