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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.

Dispositioun, -icioun, n. Also: -itioune, -ition(e, -icioune, -icione, -isioun(e, -isione; -pocisioune, -posesione. [ME. disposicioun (Chaucer), -icion, etc., OF. disposicion, -ition, L. dispositio.]

1. The situation of the stars or planets, or their supposed nature resulting from this. 1375 Barb. iv. 701.
Of the hevyn … How that the disposicioune [E. -itioun] Suld apon thingis virk heir doune 1456 Hay I. 76/20.
All the vertew … thai tak … fra the said disposicioun of the sternis and the planetis Ib. II. 112/6.
The constellaciounis, influencis, and disposicioun of the planetis

b. Physical constitution or nature. 1456 Hay I. 117/28.
Strenth is a disposicioun of mannis body Ib. II. 40/9.
Men our fat, or that has evell disposicioun Ib. 141/3; etc.
Se that thou tak sobyrly of it … efter the tyme of ȝere and the disposicioun of the seasone c1515 Asl. MS. I. 155/11.
Thai that comptis Affrica the thrid part, thai compt nocht be space nor mesour bot be diuers disposicioun a1578 Pitsc. I. 133/3.
Because he was not sa lustie nor sa gainnand of dispositioun of his body as was thocht expedient

c. Personal character or bent of mind. c1420 Ratis R. 909.
Sa that thi disposicioune And thi determynacioune Accordand be of an assent Ib. 919; etc. a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 97.
War in a king sic disposicioun kend, That he wald iust men honour and cherys c1490 Irland Asl. MS. I. 16/27.
Of this sufficient disposicoun … I haue schawin the thre weriteis 1558-66 Knox II. 178.
We will … continew oure gudde dispositioun to keip the same [peace] in such gude termes as now it is

2. The action of arranging or determining. 1490 Irland Mir. I. 63/29.
The woman knew nocht the sacret operacioun of the devin disposicioune, na the mynd of men ore angellis a1500 Seven S. 2720.
It was foly in deid To man to hald opinioun Aganis Godis disposicioun

3. Power or right to dispose of anything. In the phr. at (or to) his (etc.) disposition. 1456 Hay I. 121/30.
It is haldin … that the lord that payis the wagis, suld have all the grete prisonaris at his disposicioun c1450 Cr. Deyng 182.
Thankand hyme that-of, and gyfand thaim to hyme gladly agane, till his fre disposesione 1515 Reg. Privy S. I. 408/1.
Landis … now pertening to the king and to the said governouris dispositioun be resone of eschaet 1532 Peebles B. Rec. 57.
The altarage … perteining to your gift and disposition be full richt 1565 Prot. Bk. G. Grote 69.
Ten merkis to be at his awin disposisione quhan he hes mister of

4. Disposal or assignment of property, etc. c1450 Cr. Deyng 184.
Thus … testament orother disposicione, at the law lewys, may be maid 1489 Lennox Mun. 129.
The misgouernance and disposicioune of our souerane Lordis … heritage 1562-3 Winȝet I. 114/24.
Gif ȝe allege the intromissioun and dispositioun of the saidis guidis to hef bene contrare ȝour will 1579 Acts III. 149/2.
His hienes … reuockis … all the saidis giftis feis and dispositionis out of his said propirtie 1595 Edinb. Test. XXVIII. 327.
His onlie executour … to heir & see that his dispositioun be followit & obeyit 1604 Stewart Mem. .
Oure predicessouris culd nawayis haif grantit ony effectual dispositioun of the saidis landis in preiudice of the said … Andro 1650 Acts VI. . 636/1.
I … did subscryve ane backband shewing that the disposisioun maid be me … was onlie wpon trust 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. i. i. § 2.
To make a disposition in defraud of creditors, is not criminal, though it be prohibited