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

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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Point-, Poyntment, n. Also: pointe-, poynte-. [ME (c 1400) and e.m.E. poynt-, pointment, also poinctmente (1581), MF poyntement (1418 in Godef.), aphetic f. Appointment.]

1. a. (An) agreement, settlement, or arrangement; also, a compact. b. A specific matter settled as part of a more general agreement, a particular point or detail agreed.(1) 1424 State P. (Reg. H.) No. 15.
Of the poyntement als of ȝour happy deliuerance wytht al oure hartis heyli we ar reioisit 1450 Coll. Aberd. & B. 234.
And this poyntment the said parteys promittys … thaim lely and trwly to … kepe wythowtyn ony new summondis 1462 Peebles B. Rec. I 145.
I … haf rasawyt … ij lib. with the saymyn condecioun and poyntment in maner and form has is befor wrytin c1475 Wall. iv 728. 1481 Antiq. Aberd. & B. II 331.
Thai refussis to fulfille the forsaide poyntment 1513 Doug. xii ii 148.
Of weir to mak ane end By syk proffer and poyntment as was send 1547 Corr. M. Lorraine 209.
The poyntment com nocht to effect nor yet the castell gottin a1561 Norvell Meroure 25 a.
His grace … Hathe made my peace and pointement with the Lord 1563 Edinb. B. Deeds 82 b.
Haifand respect to the said poyntment devisit and maidplur. 1427 Melville Chart. 245.
And that thire condicionys, connandis ande poyntmentis … salbe kepyt … aythire the partys are oblyste 1445 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 311.
Al thir poyntmentis & accordance abufe writtin salbe lelili & treuli … kepit 1517 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 43.
Baitht the parteis ar oblest … to byd at all poyntmentis maid and spokyn [etc.] 1538 Breadalbane Doc. No. 48.
And to the faythfull keping of all oblissing and poyntmentis abone vrittin(2) 1467 Aberd. B. Rec. MS V i 600 (24 May).
This act of poyntment & accordins made in the tolbuth the xxiiij day of Maij 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6116.
To ane counsall thay went, Thinking thai wald with that king tak pointment, Quhilk was [etc.]

c. An arrangement to meet (? for negotiation). c1475 Wall. (1570) x 980.
Edward was glaid to hald that pointment

d. A negotiation towards agreement. 1573 Sempill Sat. P. xxxix 193.
During this pointment thair wes change of graith

2. At all pointment, fully appointed or prepared: cf. Point n.¹ 7 c. c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus i 51.
Twa ȝoung ȝounkeirs, perfite at all pointment In riche array

3. The act of pointing out or calling attention to something: cf. Point v.¹ 3 and 4. c1420 Wynt. viii 2947.
And for he wald usurp na fame Langare … Than he deserwyd, this poyntment Here he made … That [etc.]