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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.

Governing, -yng, vbl. n. Also: gow-, gouvernyng. [ME. governing (a 1300), -yng, f. Govern(e v.]

1. The action of the verb (q.v.) in various senses.(1) 1375 Barb. xi. 309.
To the erll Thomas … He gaf the vaward in ledyng, For in his nobill gouernyng … Thai had assouerans c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 1826.
Grekes … the kynge Removed that had first governyng c1420 Wynt. vii. 228.
Quhat lord thai suld ches to be kyng, Fra thine till have the governyng Off Jerusalem ?1438 Alex. ii. 9905.
Hector on him the gouerning Tuke of the toun 1490 Irland Mir. I. 8/7.
The regimen and gouernyng of his pepil that lifis under thi power and autorite 1535 Stewart 48453.
The governing that he had of the ring In thair handis he did agane resing 1549 Compl. 44/36.
The prudent duc Pericles, quha had the gouuerning of the comont veil of Athenes 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 23.
That thai may fulfill, being kingis, that crueltie and avarice quhilk thai begouth to exercise in tyme of thair gouerning(2) 1456 Hay I. 160/23.
All men seis … that the pure laboureris, … entermettis thame nocht with jugeing, na ordanyng, na gouernyng of weris c1420 Ratis R. 873.
Set neuer thi hart, na thi etlyng, To haue gret thing in gouernynge 1474 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 31.
Richt sa for reuling [and] governyng of the saidis two craftis 1549 Compl. 15/22.
Gyf ony person vald speir at me the maneir of the governyng of ane battel 1563 Montgomery Mem. 196.
The said Dame Agnes to have the governing … of … my sone … quhill he be of perfyt age of discressione(3) 1375 Barb. vi. 383.
He valde se his gouernyng, That had the castellin keping c1460 Thewis Wysmen 202.
Wysmen kepis reull in thar lufinge, Gud dyet, and gud gouernyng c1500-c1512 Dunb. xli. 2.
Be ȝe ane luvar, think ȝe nocht ȝe suld Be weill adwysit in ȝour gouerning? a1540 Freiris Berw. 360.
In her hairt scho had ane persaving That he had knawin all hir govirning a1585 Montg. Maitl. Q. lxiii. 13.
Margareit … Groundit with grace and godlie governing(4) a1500 Rauf C. 445.
Fairand ouir the feildis, fewell to fet, … Gangand with laidis, my gouerning to get

2. To have (also take, win) in governing, to have (get or assume) the rule or command of. c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 3052.
Than Thelagonius was maid kyng And tuke the land in governyng c1420 Wynt. i. 512.
Thare Agelyus fyrst wes kyng, And had it hale in gowernyng Ib. vi. 646.
Efftyre hym neste wes he kyng, And Scotland had in governyng ?1438 Alex. i. 858.
For ȝow and for the king, That hes vs all in governing a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 1320.
Sen vourschipfull Wawane has wonnyn to your handis The senyory in gouernyng a1508 Kennedy Pass. Christ 1434.
Haill, berar of the King, Quhilk hevin and erd hes into gouernyng 1560 Rolland Seven S. 291.
I seik na vther thing Bot ȝour ane sone to haue in gouerning 1556 Lauder Off. Kings 383.
Your haill regioun and ryng That ye haue in your gouernyng