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: 1500-1642
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Misuse, v. Also: mys-, missuse. [ME. (Chaucer) and e.m.E. mys-, misuse; cf. OF. mesuser.]
1. tr. To apply to a wrong or improper use, misapply, abuse. 1551–2 Treasurer's Accounts X. 62.
Peter Maccolm, ane of the crounaris of Wigtoun that misusit his office a1568 Scott xiii. 5.
Gif I misvse my pen 1578 Acts III. 98/1.
The vniuersiteis … ar misvsit be particular personis 1603 Shetland Sheriff Ct. MS. 85.
Dauid Leslie hes maist schamefullie misvsit the kirk … and placeit his guidis thairinto making the sam ane kow byre
b. To abuse, soil, defile. — 15.. Wyf of Auchtirmuchty 26(K).
See that the bairnes misvse not the bed 1619 Perth Kirk S. MS. 25 Jan.
They drank aill quhill nicht and being ouercum with drink misvseit his bed with spewing
2. To maltreat, ill-use (a person). 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 135.
They still … misvsing the lairdis millar befoir his eyes [etc.] 1603 Moysie Mem. 57.
The archbischope … wes misvsit and struckin … for his vndecent lyfe 1589 Gray Lett. & P. 163.
Mysused 1590 Burel Pilgr. ii. § xiv.
Quhy hes thou me misusd? 1592 Reg. Privy C. IV. 770. 1596 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 160.
He wes detenit for misusing his wyfe 1600-1610 Melvill 69.
Missuse 1602 Elphinstone Chart. 166.
Thair is nevir ane servand that will byid with him, he hes sa misvsit the servandis 1610 Douglas Corr. 246.
I am sory my Lord Huntlie hes misvset yow by your merit and deserving 1642 Thanes of Cawdor 287.
I thought … that ye wald not suffer my wyfe … to be misuseit
b. To abuse verbally, revile (a person). 1590 Reg. Privy C. IV. 525.
[He] misusit the haill magistrattis thairof, calland thame unworthy magistrattis and golenyeouris 1607 Dundonald Par. Rec. 155.
Thomas Wallace … ordeined to mak his repentance … for his sclandering and railing on the minister … and swa misvseing … him 1624 Dunferm. B. Rec. II. 145.
[They were] misusing the watch in evill language
3. refl. To misconduct oneself, misbehave, transgress. 1577 Waus Corr. 151.
My son … misswsit himself towartis me 1581 Edinburgh Testaments IX. 362 b.
Quhilk of thame misusis thame selfis I leue thame nathing 1584 Sempill Sat. P. xlv. 953.
I schame to tell Sa oft as I misvsit my sell In guyding of the giftis of grace 1601 Stirling Merch. Guild 16.
He personallie sauld merchandise … and sua … hes misusit himself
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"Misuse v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 21 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/misuse_v>
