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

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

Richtwisnes, Rychtwisnes, n. Also: -wise-, -wys(e)-, -uis-, -ous-, -eous-, -us-, -ows-, -uous-; rychttus-, -uous-; righte(o)us-, ryghteuos-; richwys-, -ys- and -nese, -ness, -nace, -nas. [ME and e.m.E. rihtwisenesse (c1200), rightwisnes (Cursor M.), rightwesnes (1482), etc., e.m.E. also righteousnes, rightuousness (both Coverdale), OE reht-, riht-, ryhtwísnisse.]There is possible ambiguity between senses a and c.

1. a. Virtue; uprightness; conformity with accepted standards of integrity, morality or holiness of life. Also, once, pl. b. Freedom from the consequences of sin granted through grace to the elect of God; justification. c. Just exercise of power by a ruler or judge; equity; conformity with law.a. 1375 Barb. x 294.
He heyit honour ay & larges & ay mantemyt rychtwysnes c1420 Ratis R. 86.
Thaim … That settis maist part thar lewyng In rychtwysnes and gudly thinge c1420 Wynt. ii 182.
The gast he yhalde … In gud eylde and in rychtwysnes 1456 Hay II 45/2.
A spere quhilk is evin, and betakenis rychtwisenes and veritee a1500 Lanc. 1359.
For thyne estat is gewyne to redres Thar ned, and kep them torychtwysnes c1475 Wall. xi 1126.
I … besek God … Thé to restor in haist to rychtwysnace c1515 Asl. MS I 262/22.
Willam … was callit the lyoun of richtuisnes c1520-c1535 Nisbet Matth. v 6, etc.(b) a1400 Leg. S. i 266.
Pece is ay quhare na syne is … And to wirk it is richysnese a1500 Colk. Sow ii 199.
Richtowsnace 1533 Gau 12/24.
Thay quhilk ar pridful … of thair richtusnes or guid lif Ib. 29/3.
Rychttusnes 1568–92 Anal. Scot. I 271.
Your ry[ch]tusnes sall be foryett 1586 Misc. Bann. C. II 214.
Treatie of Christiane rychtousnes, … Psalmes, in prois(c) c1520-c1535 Nisbet I 3.
A[n]e euirlasting kingdome … of lyf, of blis and of rychtuousnes 1562-3 Winȝet II 66/12.
The ministeris of rychtuousnes a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. 323/2.
Reule thé with rychttuousnes(d) 1551 Hamilton Cat. 48.
Thai ar nocht subdewit to the rychteousnes that is of valour afore God 1562-3 Winȝet I 61/30.
Righteusnes 1563-72 Ferg. Answer in Tracts 28.
Ryghteuosnes 1567 G. Ball. 5.
Nocht for the warkis of rychteousnes quhilk we haue wrocht … God hes sauit vs Ib. 12.
Behauld nocht my vnworthynes Bot luke till Christis rychteousnes 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 27/3. 1640 Dundonald Par. Rec. 462.
That religioun and richteousnes micht floorish in the land to the glorie of Godpl. c1520-c1535 Nisbet Rom. ii 26.
Gif prepucie kepe the richtuisnessis of the law [etc.]b. c1520-c1535 Nisbet III 327/23.
Rychtwisnes … is Godis gyft, ande it alteris anne man, ande chenggis him in to anne new spirituall nature 1558-66 Knox I 24.
Christ is our rychteousnes … our satisfactioun … our goodness 1645 Rutherford Tryal Faith 141.
Christ's merits … must be the cause of our law-right to righteousness & gloryc. a1400 Leg. S. xxxvi 1003.
& that wes Godis richtwisnes Of hyme that mad sa fele bernles 1385 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 7.
I made bodely fayth it ryhtwysly to deme and I … avysyt and vmbethoht hafand ee to mesur and rychtwysenes c1420 Ratis R. 95.
And sa His rychtwysnes wyll se That thai with deuillis punyst bee c1420 Wynt. i 628.
We mon declyne hys rychtwysnes, And on his mekyll mercy call a1500 Henr. Fab. 972.
Befoir ane roy renȝeit with richteousnes a1500 Lanc. 1405.
Richwysnes c1475 Wall. x 765.
My mynd was set … to bryng this realme to rychtwysnas 1596 Dalr. I 256/22.
He procuiret the fame of all æquitie and richteousnes amang the people

2. Rightness, correctness (as opposed to error). c1460 Wisd. Sol. (S.T.S.) 372.
I considirit the gret defferens, betuex wisdome and foly, eroure and rychtwisnes