Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Mach, Match, n.¹ Also: mache, matche; maich. [ME. mac(c)he, mec(c)he, OE. ᵹemæcca, ᵹemęcca, related to OE. ᵹemaca Mak n.¹]

1. A person who is the equal of another in some quality, as ability, strength, etc.; an equal, a match. a1500 Henr. Fab. 2555 (Ch.).
For all ȝour mowis ȝe met anis with ȝour mache [H. matche] 1559 Cal. Sc. P. I. 279.
[If he (Lennox) had been an equal] mache [to the Duke, why did he give his enemy] sik [place] 1570-3 Bann. Trans. 37.
A meitt matche, a Scottis cuckold and ane English mesmonger 1571 Sat. P. xxvii. 66.
Lerne experience Ane forene mache or maister to admitt a1605 Montg. Misc. P. l. 38.
This paragon … but matche 1611-57 Mure Misc. P. vi. 16.
Euin so, the heauins doth kno, In spotles loue no maches I admitt

b. An opponent, adversary, competitor. 1513 Doug. v. vii. 27.
Ane othir mache to him was socht and speryt Bot thar was nane … at … durst presume meyt that man

2. A consort, a spouse. 1558 Knox IV. 405.
What maketh this for Mary and her match Philippe? c1590 Fowler I. 255/11.
A faithffull mach wnto hir husband kynd 1612 Elphinstone Fam. Bk. 266.
If any of tham … mak chois of a mache to tham selfs other nor my freinds aboue nominat

3. ? A suitable pairing or matching. 1563 G. Hay Confutation Abbot Crosraguel 10.
That … the ordinances of God … be exempted from all matche & patching of the foolish imagination of mans heart

4. A sporting match or contest. 1570 Leslie 238.
Thair was gret bonespellis, matches and wedfeis … with the croce bow [etc.]