Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Potence, n.¹ [e.m.E. potence a cross or gibbet (once, c 1500), also (after 1678) part of a watch, etc., F. potence a crutch (12th c. in Hatz.-Darm.), also applied to various Τ- or Γ-shaped objects, as a gibbet, an armorial charge, etc., also (1611, Cotgrave) a post from which a ring was suspended for tilting, L. potentia Potence n.², in med. L. (= support, crutch.) See also Potent n.¹] A gibbet. Also the name of a gold coin, also potence crown. — 1571 Sempill Sat. P. xxviii 215.
And, as I past, the potence I espy, Quhair the anoyntit bischop hung to dry 1602 Colville Paraenese 88.
A graip … hauing no pressoir bot a potence or cross — c 1597 Cochran-Patrick Coinage I xcv.
The Frenche croun price thairof [£3, 5, 10¾ d.], the Flemis croun … [£3, 5, 10¾ d.], the peice callit the potence [ed. potener] … [£3, 5, 10⅔ d.] 1612 Ib. xcix.
The Frenche croun weying 2 d. 15 grs £4/6/2, … the potence crowne weying 2 d. 15 grs £4/6/2