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.

Festinance, -ans, n. Also: festyn(n)ance, fessynnans, fesnance; festynens. [f. Festin v.] Custody, confinement. 1425 Acts II. 11/2.
The schiref sal ger arrest sic ydil men ande ger kep thaim in festynance quhil it be knawin quhare one thai leif 1484 Acta Aud. *128/2.
He was nocht at liberte and fredome bot in festinans and warde the tyme of the makin tharof c1515 Asl. MS. II. 231/9.
This erll … with his oist come to the Ile of Kerewra quhar this Allane had his brother in fessynnans 1533 Bell. Livy I. 262/2.
I will kepe him in festynens [L. vinculis], quhil the day be cummyn that he may be punyst Ib. II. 7/27.
Praying thame to gif na licence to Virgineus to departe fra the army bot kepe him in festynnance [L. custodia] 1533 Boece x. xii. 376.
Takin was all the nobilite that euadit the slachter and put in festinance 1587 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 505.
All persouns that hes any cats, dogs, or swyne, … that thai ather slay thame or keip thame in suir fesnance