Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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

Craftines, Craftynes, n. [e.m.E. and ME. craftines, ME. craftynesse (c 1440).]

1. Skilful construction; skill or art. 1533 Boece i. viii. 52.
The craftynes and hicht of that sumptuous bigging 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 128.
To keyth hir craftynes 1560 Rolland Seven S. 4994.
This image was maid with sic craftines

2. Artfulness, cunning, craft. c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2245.
Quhov … Be thare craftines and cure Idolatrye did so lang indure Ib. 6337.
Quhilkis wald not that thare craftynes wer kend 1567 G. Ball. 100.
Thay haif deuysit … To set thair nettis with cloikit craftines 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 48.
Seing that the quenis craftines wes abill … to ouerthraw the erll of Murrays sempilnes