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

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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Sav(e)ing, Saufing, vbl. n. Also: savyng, sawing, saif(f)ing, saiveing, saufyng, sauffing, saulffi(i)ng. [ME and e.m.E. sauueing (Cursor M.), safynge (Rolle), sauynge (c1460), saving (1477), sawing (1551); Sav(e v.] Saving, delivering, preserving, salvation, etc., in senses 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 13 of the verb.(1) 1622-6 Bisset II 214/3.
The samin [sc. shipwrecked goods] salbe recovered be thame [sc. the owners] they refoundand the uncostis maid in saiffing thairof(b) ?14.. Ship Laws c. 21 (B).
Of saufyng of gudis of a brokyn schyp 1456 Hay I 159/14.
Quhen a prisonare is tane, merci is aucht him and that his maister aw to do him grace … And gif him thinkis he will have sum courtasy for his saufing and keping and costis making [etc.] 1571 Reg. Privy C. II 90.
That na maner of persoun of the inhabitantes of Edinburgh now remaning in Leith pay stent or furneis money to the saidis rebellis … now abiding in Edinburgh under cullour of saulffiing thair geir within the toun or utherwise, under the pane [etc.] Ib. 102.
Saulffing(2) 1535 Acts II 346/1.
[To] big pelis … for saifing of thare selfis men tennentis and gudis a1578 Pitsc. II 263/27.
The laird of Wormestoune was slaine in defence and saveing of my lord regent c1598 Skipper's Acc. (Morton) 14a.
For saueing of the botis scheris iiii s. 8 d. 1605 Elphinstone Chart. 147.
Thair hes bein na haineing or saiveing for the young grouthe 1629 Inverness Rec. II 167.
To bige ane ewin dyick … and that for saiffing [ed. saissing] of his awin cornes 1658 Stitchill Baron Ct. 15.
Sufficient herdes for keiping of their bestiall and saveing of their corne(3) 1456 Hay II 102/24.
And it salbe comptit to the … prouffit and saufing bathe of mony saulis and lyfis of thy peple 1644 Aberd. Council Lett. II 370.
The saifing off thair toun from distruction ther bulwark from the water ther estaits ontakin from them and the saifing off ther lyfs(4) a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 218 (Harl.).
Think on Traiane … Haid singulare sauffing [Asl. savyng, Arund. saving] throw iustice and piete 1456 Hay II 102/24 (see (3) above). 1562-3 Winȝet I 39/15.
For the health and saifing of ȝour awin saulis a1599 James VI Basil. Doron App. 309.
The destruction of vyces and sawing of men(5) 1545 Douglas Corr. 158.
Be the plesour off God, the sawing off Crissting blude oneschade, and velhte off bothe the ralmis 1644 Aberd. Council Lett. II 370 (see (3) above).(6) 1540 Antiq. Aberd. & B. II 252.
Wee sall graunt … conuenient place … to ressaive the said teyndis [sc. sheaves] for keping and sauffing of the samynn(7) 1590 Culross I 131.
For saiffing of the jestis therein fra rotting 1644 Aberd. Council Lett. II 370 (see (3) above).