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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.

Displesance, -ans, n. Also: -aunce; dysplesance, displeyssa(u)nce, -plisance. [ME. displesance (c 1340), dysplesaunce, etc., OF. desplaisance.]

1. Vexation, annoyance, distress. a1400 Leg. S. xxix. 269.
Inpossible is but dred Aduersite to be in that sted Or ony kynd of displesance c1420 Wynt. vii. 1545.
Quhat dyd thé mast dysplesans here? 1456 Hay I. 36/28.
Na man suld … for our grete displesance … be our disconfourt or aferde c1475 Wall. xi. 1230.
Wallace end in warld was displesans c1490 Irland Asl. MS. I. 7/31.
All our synnis was or may be displesance to him a1568 Bann. MS. 230 a/6.
For he that pacience can nocht leir, He sall displesance haif, perqueir 15.. Clar. iii. 924.
That for my saike ȝe do not sic vengence That efter may turne to ȝour displisance c1550 Rolland C. Venus ii. 576.
Of Phebus the plesant resplendour Refreschit him fra part of displesance

b. Action or an act (or event) causing annoyance or trouble to one. 1456 Hay I. 221/28.
The law … forbedis that ony be sa hardy to do thame ony gref, displesance, or molestacioun Ib. II. 125/11.
The corporale labour … and mony othir plesancis and displesancis that him befallis 1490 Irland Mir. I. 159.
The Iowis … wauld nocht resaue him, bot did him all welany and displesaunce

2. A feeling of dissatisfaction or distress. Const. of (= on account of). 1456 Hay II. 59/29.
For sleuth … drawis eftir it dule and displesaunce of othir mennis gude aventures c1490 Irland Asl. MS. I. 12/20.
That the persoun haue displesans and detestacoun of all thir synnis Ib. 25/2, etc.

3. Displeasure (of another person). c1420 Wynt. viii. 844.
Wyth yhoure leffe that we pas hame, But yhoure dysplesance [C. displeyssance], fra Norhame 1487 Acts II. 180/1.
[To] be punyst … as accordis to thaim that … incurris his indignacioun and displesance 1496 Acta Conc. II. 19.
He for the eschewing of the displesance of … his fader, … gaif his consent 15.. Clar. ii. 331.
Scho … never schew me ane luike of displisance