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 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Space, v. Also: spais. [Med. L. spatiare (1227 in Latham) to roam, spatiari (c1250 in Latham) to walk abroad, L. spatīarī, F. espacer (1417 in Larousse) to separate. Cf. e.m.E. space (1538). a. To walk, stroll; to pace, cf. Pace v. 1 (2). b. tr. ? To divide into sections (with), ? as a means of measurement, cf. Space n. 8. —a. 1456 Hay II 124/3.
Quhen … thou have etyn ynouche … rest the; and syne eftir, space a lytill, and syne eftir … slepe a lytill c1590 Fowler I 60/78.
My freind … but whose cumpanie … I can nather space nor pase nor forther go a stapp c1610 Melville Mem. 116.
I fand her maieste spacing in ane alley 1611-57 Mure Dido & Æneas ii 115.
At the altars off'ring gifts she spaces — 1558-66 Knox I 137.
Maister George spaced up and doune … more than half ane houre: his … contenance … declared the greaf and alteratioun of his mynd —b. 1560 Edinb. Old Acc. II 95.
xviij faddom of ane gret cobill tow to the wyndais that drew owpe the cradill … ane pound wecht of small towis to spais the gret towe with