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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.

Evidence, Evidens, n. Also: evyd-, ewyd-, ewid-, awidens, hewedens. [ME. evidence, evidens (c 1300), OF. evidence, L. ēvidentia.]

1. Evidence, proof. c1420 Wynt. viii. 2383.
This kyng than feyhnyd evydens [C. ewidens], As to declere hys consciens 1432 Lamont P. 14.
For the mayr evydens to thir indenturis [they] interchanghably has set thar selis a1500 Henr. Fab. 1078.
That is euidence aneuch, but dout Ib. 2674.
Without proces of law and euidence 1490 Irland Mir. I. 79/18.
That the thingis … pertenand to the faithe be nocht opinly knawin be science, euidence or experience

2. = Evident n. 1. (Also in collect. or plural sense.) 1385 3rd Rep. Hist. MSS. 410/1.
To schaw … throw qwat chartir or ewydens thai halde or clemys to hald the landys 1456 Hay I. 262/23.
Gif a man cummys till a merchand … , and sais him that his fader aucht him a thousand nobleis, … sayand alssua that he has tynt his evidencis and obligaciouns 1485 Lennox Mun. 126.
Togidder witht all chartourris, … oblygationis, endenturis, and awidens 1489 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 546.
To resigne … al and syndry forsaidis landis … with charteir, sesyng, and euidencis maid to me c1500-c1512 Dunb. xliii. 44.
Richt littill loist, Thay get indoist, Alhaill thair evidens 1508 Rec. Earld. Orkney 80.
All other evidence, … instrumentis, and charteris … to be na awale contrar this appuntament 1509 Grant Chart. 193.
I grant that my scharteris and euidens be off na fors nor effek 1533 Wigtown B. Ct. 272 a.
To schaw his hewedens