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

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Conversatioun, -acioun, n. Also: -atioune, -atione, -acioune, -acion(e. [ME. conversacioun (a 1340), -acion, etc., OF. -acion, -ation, L. conversātio.]

1. Association or intercourse with others. a1400 Leg. S. xxxvi. 275.
Mannis conuersacione He fled 1456 Hay I. 302/29.
Ȝit … suld a king be … mesurit in his conversacioun Ib. II. 17/15.
To lere the practik of the ordre be conversacioun 1529 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 16.
The spredin [of the pestilence] … was maist be conversatione of nichbouris 1596 Dalr. II. 65/4.
That the Gouernour and Chanceller … had nother cumpanie nor conuersatioune with the king

b. Sexual intercourse. 1456 Hay I. 190/14.
Gif a man fyndis ane … foule creature hafand conversacioun with his wyf 1492 Myll Spect. 284/26.
Scho said that scho wald de bot scho had conversatioun with him

c. Handling, dealing. 1547 Dunferm. B. Rec. 368.
And euer he culd be apprehendit haiffand onye conuersacioune wytht onye wnfremannis geir in dailis with chepmannis

2. Conduct, behaviour; manner of acting. 1456 Hay I. 296/13.
Quhen a king can vertuously govern his persone in gudely maner with godlyke conversacioun a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 555.
Honest and chaist in conuersatioun 1502 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 657.
Quhat tyme it happynis me to mysgide my person in unhonest conuersacon 1536 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 80.
Thai sall be putt in firmance … vnto the tyme that inquisitioun be tane of thair gyding and maner of conversatioun c1550 Rolland C. Venus Prol. 109.
I schew … Syne the xij signes, and of thair conuersatioun 1572 Sat. P. xxxiv. 14.
Thair fassioun I abhor, in deid; Thair conversatiounis is defylit a1578 Pitsc. I. 21/29.
Baith nobill men and simple men of guid lyffe and conversatioun

3. Occupation, experience. 1596 Dalr. I. 116/8.
Throuch the weiris in quhilkes hes beine thair conuersatione