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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Image, Ymag(e, n. Also: imaige, imiage. [ME. image (14th c.), ymage (a 1225), F. image (13th c.), L. imāgo.]

1. An image in the usual senses, especially one representing a person.(1) c1420 Wynt. iv. 2340.
The fyrst lettyr off his state That men apon his ymage wrate Ib. v. 5605.
Ane ymage … thare-in wes set Off Romule … and … There wes made a gret ymage Off ilke rewme that aucht homage 1513 Doug. vii. iii. 64.
Of forfaderis gret ymagis … , Of ald cedir carvyt with crafty hand 1531 Bell. Boece I. 121.
The imagis of Claudius, beside Camelon, fel down in dros 1549 Compl. 11/21.
For to paynt ane fayr ymage of the deesse Juno 1570 Leslie 159.
His imiage maid in the liknes of him wes brunt at the merkett croce(2) c1420 Wynt. i. 1654.
All lyk hys fadyr in fygoure Ane ymage he mayd in fayr payntoure 1456 Hay I. 7/34.
Ane ymage of gold of his awne stature and efter his awin figure a1500 Seven S. 1625.
Virgile … maid … Ane ymage with a arow & bow of bras 1513 Doug. ii. ix. 18.
Brasand the godlyke ymage in thar armys 1545 Acts & Decr. II. 12.
Certane brokin imagis of gold and buttons of gold c 1570 Lennox Mun. 276.
Ane litill ymage of ewir bane that stuid apon ane chandlarfig. a1568 Scott i. 118.
In sum hartis is gravit new agane Ane image callit cuvatyce of geir

b. An image of a saint or divinity as an object of veneration by Christians.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xxiv. 156.
Thare he of chance a ymag fand Of Jhesu Cryst, … But mannis handis mad Ib. xli. 383.
The ymag of Agnes At thare richt wele payntit wes c1420 Wynt. v. 5775.
Off haly halowyis the ymagys 1451 Acts II. 40/1.
Ane new penny … with the ymage of Sanct Andro on the tother side 1501 Acta Conc. II. 477.
Ane ymage of our lady of bayne 1535 Stewart 34804.
Ane crucifix … In quhome the image of our Saluiour Affix[i]t wes 1556 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 251.
The personis that tuke downe the images of the Trinite 1574 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 32.
Ane brod, payntit vpone the samyn the image of Our Lady 1622-6 Bisset II. 342/11.
Luik … had the imaige or pictour of Marie … in ane tabill paynted(2) 1529 Lynd. Complaynt 422.
Prayand to grawin ymagis c1552 Id. Mon. 2086.
Quhov … Nynus inuentit the first ydolatrie of ymagis 1562-3 Winȝet I. 5/35.
Materis of les pryce, as of ymages, the innocationis of sanctis [etc.] a1578 Pitsc. II. 145/8.
The idollis of the kirk, that is to say the allteris and the imagies 1581 Burne Disput. 171.
The vse of imagis seruis mekil for edification … of the vnlearned people 1596 Dalr. I. 269/10.
[The Council of Nice confirmed] the vsse of images to be cleine of all superstitione

2. a. A mental picture or impression. b. An unreal visual appearance, an apparition, a figure. a1400 Leg. S. xviii. 944.
Than wald I ryne … & prynte that ymage in my thocht c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 2846.
Him thocht that that ymage bore In-to hir hand a spere 1513 Doug. i. vi. 83.
Of hir husband bygravit the ymage To hir apperis in sleip Ib. iv. vi. 146.
My faderis gost … mannasis me … And oft his feirfull ymage doith me agast

3. Form, semblance, likeness. a1500 Henr. Fab. 1661.
Man, quhilk God maid last of all, Lyke till his ymage and his similitude 1490 Irland Mir. 26/36.
We are nocht His sonis be natur, bot be creacioune and ymage 1513 Doug. ii. iv. 70.
Sum tyme wald scho Ascanyus, … Caucht in the figur of hys faderis ymage, … in hir bosum brace 1531 Bell. Boece I. 125.
Thocht I may no wayis devoid me of wiflie image, yit I sall not want mannis hardiment Id. Livy II. 54/31.
Thay … thinkis vnwourthy that ȝe suld haue the forme & ymage of men 1567 G. Ball. 80.
Gif ȝe lufe Christ, hait not his word, His living image