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

Improvin(e, p.p.² Also: -ein, -(e)n, improwen. [Sc. p.p. (cf. Improvin,p.p.¹ (and ppl. a .)) of e.m.E. improve.]

1. Utilized to advantage, turned to account, employed. Said of money, land, and other things.a. 1653 Soc. Ant. XXIII. 306.
Iff my lord's rent had beene improwen to the best advantage 1674 Peebles B. Rec. II. 90.
That the boxmaisters give ane accompt to the toun counsell how it [the money collected] is improvine and applyedb. 1660 Conv. Burghs III. 519.
To wisit the burrowmuir … and to mak search … how the samyne may be improvein 1669 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. II. 679.
The said lymed ground may be left to the said John Watsone, superior, to be improvin be him 1689 Rec. Old Aberd. I. 149.
That the said mos may be improven to ther best advantage … proportionallie amongst themc. 1670 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 264.
Considdering everie blessing bestowit be God on any place should be improvin for the publict good

2. Made better, improved. c 1680 Coll. Aberd. & B. 95.
The soil … is generally fertile enough, and might be improven, had they the benefit of lime … for manuring it 1740 Misc. Spald. C. II. 6.
I found my son in good health and much improvn