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

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

Suppleing, vbl. n. Also: suppleinge, -eeing, -ey(i)ng, -ieing, -ying, supleing, -eying. [ME (once) and e.m.E. suppliyng (Wyclif), supplying (1570); Supplé v.]

1. Helping, assisting, supporting. 1488 Acts II 210/1.
Gif ony persons … wald manteine or defend the saidis clerkis brekaris of our souerane lordis actis of parliament … thay beand requirit & will nocht desist fra the supleing of the saidis clerkis 1498–9 Reg. Privy S. I 46/1.
The resset, commonyng, suppleing and assistance gevin be him to divers rebellis ?a1500 Steel Roy Robert 185.
Throw ȝour fals suppl[eyin]g Quhen Edwarde Balȝoun rais to king 1501–2 Reg. Privy S. I 116/1.
Nane of thame … to stop na lawmen in the suppleing of the said reverend fader … in the ministratioun of justice 1545 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. II 117.
The extent of xvj^m li. grantit … for suppleing and sustening of the West and Middill Bordouris 1551–2 Reg. Privy C. I 120.
To the greit freyndschip … he [sc. the King of France] hes schowin in suppleying of this realm in thair greit mister aganis the greit forces of Ingland 1648 Glasgow B. Rec. II 146.
The … money … can be nae better way employit then now … for helping and suppleeing … the poore

2. a. Reinforcements. b. To ma suppleyng, to provide reinforcements, to reinforce. 1375 Barb. xiii 599.
Thai war sa fele with-owtyn wer … And he sa quhoyne and but supleyng that he wald nocht in plane fechting Assaile thaim c1475 Wall. i 105.
To thar men with out thai mycht nocht wyn; Na thai to thaim suppleyng for to ma

3. Furnishing, providing (what is required or expected) (to someone). 1632 Aberd. Council Lett. I 352.
That ilk merchand find caution … for suppleing the quantitie dew to be payit be thame to the maister of the mynt for bullioun for the whiche ilk man sall ressave the dew quantitie of coyned money … bak againe

4. Furnishing (a place, thing, etc.) with necessary items. 1583 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I 310.
The tymmer and skailye thairon [is] to be takin downe presently and laid up in howssis for suppleing the Kingis grace workis

5. Facilitating, helping to establish (something). 1475 Cart. S. Giles lxviii.
For the furthiring, helping, eiking and suppleing of diuine seruice daily to be done at the alter of Sanct John the ewangelest 1491 Cart. S. Nich. Aberd. I 255 heading.
In the suppleinge, augmentinge and vphaldin of Goddis seruice be the curat and cheplannis of the haill college

6. Filling, occupying (of a vacant place or situation). 1661 Dumfries Council Min. MS 11 April.
The counseil hes apoyntit Monday night for electioun of the magistrates & counsall for supplieing the rowme of these that have refused the oath 1682 Sc. Ant. XVI 3.
Of preceiding in thes meetings as chancelor of the said colledge, especially in the filling up and suppleing of vacant places within the colledge

b. In the Church of Scotland: Filling, also, ? appointing another to fill, a vacant charge. 1641 Dalkeith Presb. in Butler Leighton 221.
Mr. Andro Cant … thanked the brether hartilie for suppleing his kirk in his absence 1671 Dunkeld Presb. I 240.
[In consideration of his] extraordinar paynes and trubell in supplieing the charge these tuo yeares bypast 1691 Cramond Kirk S. III 1 June.
The minister informed the session … that he had written letters to severall ministers for supplying this kirk till his return