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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.

Lifting, vbl. n. Also: lyftand, lyfeting. [ME. lyftyng(e (Piers Plowm. A), e.m.E. lifting.]

1. The action of lifting or raising.Also lifting upp (see Liftar n.). 1532 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I. 100.
To the pynouris for lyftand [sic] of the samen [couples] fra the schip 1582 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 236.
To caus renew … the sam [measures] … with bandis of irne and handis for lifting thairof 1598 Acts IV. 176/1.
Counterpaces or sweipis for lifting of watteris be the force and laubour of menis handis 16.. Wodrow Hist. IV. 316.
That he made conscience of lifting his bonnet

b. Applied to the elevation of the Host. 1590 James VI in Bk. Univ. Kirk II. 771.
As for our neighbour Kirk in England, it is ane evill said messe in English, wanting nothing but the liftings

2. fig. a. Lifting up, elating, of the heart. 1611-57 Mure II. 236.
[To] guard against the lifting vp of the heart vpon this accompt

b. Lifting up (of the psalms), said of a precentor leading the singing. 1628 Kirkcudbright B. Rec. II. 364.
James Forrester, schuilmaister, for serving the kirk in reiding prayeris … , lifting up of the psalmes [etc.]

3. The collection or uplifting of rent, tithes, etc., also of cattle as rent. 1455 Liber Scon 185.
Ony impediment … in the lifting and raising of the saidez fourte schillingis ȝerly 1588 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 42.
In the uptalking lifting and raising of the teynd salmond fysches of the said watter 1655 Fam. Innes 184.
My lyfeting of catell and casteing of cornes is all I can come by from some

4. The raising (of a regiment or army).For likely earlier examples, see Listing vbl. n.² 1629 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. III. .
Ane letter in favouris of Sir George Hay for lifting of ane regiment c1650 Spalding I. 169.
200,000 merkis quhilk wes borrouit fra him for lifting of this army to cum north Ib. 321.
This army … is now at the lifting

5. The taking up of the corpse by the bearers at the commencement of a funeral procession. c1650 Spalding I. 74. Ib. 90.
The Marquess corpis … wes convoyit … to the kirk … haueing aboue 300 licht torches at the lifting 1674 Elgin Rec. I. 319.
That the great bells be onlie rung … about the tyme of the lifting of the corpes

6. A lifting, said of a debilitated animal, lit. one requiring to be ‘lifted’ or raised to its feet.Common in the mod. dial. as A-liftin, apo liftin, at the liftin, i(n) liftin (SND, s.v. Lift v. 1 (8)). 1623 Black Bk. Taymouth 364.
Thair heall ky hors nolt and scheip … to pas to scheillingis … quhill [15 July] yeirly, and nane to cum hame befoir ane uther, except a kow that is a lifting or ane seik man … to hauld ane kow besyd thame to gif milk