Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

Empesch(e, Empesh(e, v. [Late ME. empesche, -pesshe (Caxton), var. of empeche, OF. empescher, empechier. Cf. Empasche and Impash.] tr. To hinder, impede, prevent. 1531 Bell. Boece I. p. lv.
Thair stomok was nevir surfetly chargit, to empesche thaim of uthir besines Id. Livy I. 182/26.
Pece is maid with vncouth inemyis, bot it is empeschit at hame 1549 Compl. 56/7.
The mune … empeschis … the beymis of the soune fra our sycht Ib. 10. 1562-3 Winȝet II. 33/22.
Sa lang as thou is empescheit be the affectioun of thi auld maister 1581 Reg. Privy C. III. 380.
In cais the tennentis … thairby empesche that the Commendatar be not able to satisfie the said capitanis necessitie 1590 Reg. Morton I. 166.
Albeid I can nocht empesche nor stayie invyfull menis speking 1616 Misc. Hist. Soc. II. 206.
He had bene … executit if the laird of Grange had not hinderit or empeschit it