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

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Dispend, v. Also: dyspend, dispende, despend. [ME. dyspende (1303), dis-, despende, OF. despendre, late L. dēspendere.]

1. tr. To spend, expend (money, goods, etc.). 1375 Barb. ii. 130.
He taucht him siluer to dispend Ib. xx. 337.
He had … gold ynewch for to dispend [C. despend] a1400 Leg. S. xxx. 82.
To that ende He wald gladly his gud dispend Ib. xliv. 159.
Thi patrimone … Thu has dispendit … One thaim [etc.] c1420 Wynt. v. 1100.
He walde … thare-wpon his gud dispende Ib. 2384.
The tresore now … All hale I have dyspendyt owte c1460 Wisd. Sol. 583.
Quhar mekle riches is, thare mone be mony seruandis to dispende thai gudis c1515 Asl. MS. I. 181/29.
Thar is nathing tynt that larges dispendis (a1570-86 Dunb.) Maitl. F. lxxxvi. 29.
It is all thyn that thow dispendisabsol. ?1438 Alex. ii. 3164.
The lord sould be gude guardonere, And largely gif and dispend

2. To spend, occupy (time, one's life). 1375 Barb. xiii. 456.
Thai dispendit haly that day In spoulȝeing and riches taking c1420 Ratis R. 1499.
Quha wyl ta gud kep to thar end, That thus wyll al thar lyf dispend a1500 Lanc. 2555.
Thir lusty folk thus can thar tyme dispend

3. To render (service); to use, employ. c1420 Wynt. v. 2097.
This serwyce till yhoure Creatoure Wyth gud wyll yhe sulde dispend c1420 Ratis R. 1762.
For he dispendyt his resone In wycis agan kindly skill c1515 Asl. MS. I. 184/21.
Thai ar nobillis that dispendis thair body & gudis in treuth & lawte