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 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Onsetting, vbl. n. Also: unsetting.

1. The action of setting or fixing on (material things). = Onlaying vbl. n. (1), On-putting vbl. n. a. 1501 Treas. Acc. II. 115.
For sex score ix new girthis set on the powdir barrelis and for onsetting of thaim 1506 Ib. III. 188.
Unsetting 1558 Edinb. Old Acc. I. 271.
For making of thir vj stand of clayths … and on setting of the said bells all the parts of thair bodyis thyis 1574–5 Haddington Treas. Acc. 6.
For the onsetting of the loke of the kyrk dure 1618 M. Works Acc. (ed.) II. 119.
To the wrychtis and other warkmen at the onsetting of the ruiff on Wallace tour

2. a. Attacking, assailing. b. An assault. Const. on or upoun (the person attacked) or in (his person). = Onset(t n.¹a. 1562 Reg. Privy C. I. 218.
For the cruell onsetting upoun James Lord Ogilvy 1563–4 Inverness Rec. I. .
That Johne Roy wrangit in the onsetting on James Paterson wyth ane sourd 1567 Acts II. 584/2.
For lying at vatche onsetting & putting of violent handis in our said soueranis persoun 1595 Cal. Sc. P. XII. 103.
[He] will make his vantage by skirmishing and onsetting where vantage may be hadb. 1541 Aberd. B. Rec. MS. XVII (Jam.).
He hes maid diuers onsettingis & prouocaciounis on hym