Dictionaries of the Scots Language
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.

Etling, Etlyng, vbl. n. Also: etline, ettling, ettilling. [ME. etlunge (c 1230), atlinge (c 1205), atling, -lyng (14th c.), f. Ettill,v.] Purpose, intention, aim. 1375 Barb. i. 583.
Wys mennys etlyng Cummys nocht ay to that ending That thai think it sall cum to Ib. 587. a1400 Leg. S. xxvii. 1388.
He mycht nocht for na kyne thing Ger hym leif purpos na etling ?1438 Alex. ii. 5364.
He on hie cheualry Set his intent and his etling c1420 Ratis R. 873.
Set neuer thi hart, na thi etlyng, To haue gret thing in gouernynge c1475 Wall. x. 166.
He wald nocht byd … For charge off nan … At mycht that tym bryng him fra his etlyng 1577 Reg. Morton I. 89.
That be ȝour gude meanys we may haif sum certane intelligence of thair ettilling and proceidings 1594 Bk. Univ. Kirk III. 821.
Sindrie of his Majesties good ettlings were laid down 1626 Garden Worthies 75.
And what thy aimes & etlings be the end, Who knows not now, wherto they then did tend