A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1399-1438, 1499-1512, 1567-1568
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Mensk, v. [North. and midl. ME. (a 1225–c 1460) menskin, mensk(e, f. Mensk,n. Only in verse. The later form is Mense.] tr. To reverence or honour; to confer honour upon, treat honourably; to dignify, grace, favour. a1400 Legends of the Saints ix. 28.
Ane vthire ydol … That thai menskyt a1400 Ib. xx. 350. a1400 Ib. xxix. 704.
For-thi knychttis he gert thaim be & menskit thaim with worthieste a1400 Ib. xl. 418.
To God the Sone ay honoure be That menskyt hyme in sic degre a1400 Ib. 731.
Of hyme God forȝetful is nocht Bot his relykis menskis ay ?1438 Alex. ii. 10722.
Quha menskis vtherin onything Himselfe na misdois he nocht ?1438 Ib. i. 1266. ?1438 Ib. ii. 6972. a1500 Golagros and Gawane 215.
The meriest war menskit on mete at the maill a1500 Ib. 446. c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 152.
Sen man ferst witgh matrimony ȝow men[s]kit [M. mensit] in kirk a1568 Bannatyne MS 227 b/10.
In bour is no so brycht … As is that hendly hycht menskyt [M. mensit] with all honour
b. To adorn. a1400 Legends of the Saints xxviii. 525.
On the morne quhen sown was brycht That menskis al the warld of lycht
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"Mensk v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 16 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/mensk_v>
