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 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Releving, -lefing, vbl. n. Also: releiv(e)ing, -liev-, -leeve-, -leav-, -lew-; releiff-, relyf- and -yng. [ME and e.m.E. releuynge (Wyclif), reliev- (17th c.); Relev(e v.¹] The action of Relev(e v.¹, senses 1-6.(1) 1603 Moysie 35.
Ten thovsand men to be brocht vpone the fronteiris for releving the erle of Mortoun(2) 1648 Laing MSS I 241.
For releiving our oppressed brethren in England who joined in covenant with us(b) 1629 Stirling's Royal Lett. I 358.
Touardis the succouring and releiffing of the said poore exylers(3) c1590 Fowler II 33/12.
In releauing of ȝour bodies from trauel(4) 1485 Reg. Episc. Brechin. I 205.
Nocht againe stanand ony accord relewing selling or forgewin mad throw ws in tyme gane by 1497–8 Acta Conc. II 97.
To the releving of the sade Huchone of the sammyn 1499–1500 Ib. 371.
For the releving of him of the sade releif before the competent juge 1501 Reg. Privy S. I 100/2.
For the releving of thame of the payment of the said soume 1542–3 Ib. III 13/2.
And licent be the King of Ingland under souirte tocum hame, for releving of his pleggeis 1561 Crim. Trials I i 410.
Withdrawing of thame selffis fra the help, supporte, frething and releving of thame 1608 Reg. Privy C. VIII 52.
For not relieving him as his cautioner of the following debts 1681 Stair Inst. iv xxxix § 12 (see Relevancy n.). 1684 Decis. Lords F. 62.
And declared … the pursuer's cedent should be lyable for relieving the defender — 1594–5 Ayr B. Acc. 183.
For … releving of the unlaw — 1661 Rothesay B. Rec. 65.
That the towne grant securety to him for … releiveing their bandis for payment of the said four pund fyfteine s. sterling per mensem … to the publict(b) 1417 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I 215.
Nocht agaynstandande ony relefyng [ed. relesyng] … we mak with ony of the kyngis legis of warde 1482–3 Acta Conc. II civ. 1496
The actioun … persewit … for the relefing and keping skaithles of thame anent the payment of the said soume at the handis of the … Countas of Craufurd Ib. 17. 1561 Inverness Rec. I 54.
For relyfing of the prowest of the viij merkis suld haue beyne payit … at Fasternis evyn 1611 Scrymgeour Invent. 46.
Band of warrandice … for releiffing of him at the handis of the erle of Rothus(5) 1574 Glasgow Burgesses 1.
And for releving of travellouris hors tane be him 1576–7 Reg. Privy S. VII 140/2.
For his being … at the … releving furth of the samin [house] of Johnne Gordoun … being oure soverane lordis rebell(b) 1590 Welwod 71.
Contributioun man be maid for the releiffing of the schippe af ground(6) 1592 Douglas Corr. 38.
For releving and clering of that doubt 1644 Acts VI i 81/1.
Soumes of money … for … releeveing … the extreeme wantis of the Scottis armie in Ireland