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

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Heichnes, Heighnes(s, n. Also: hech-, (heih-), heych-, hiech-, hiegh-, hyech-, (hyeth-); hegh-, heygh-. [Northern ME. heghnesse (c 1340), early hehnesse, OE. héahnes.] Highness.

1. A complimentary title of a king, queen, or regent.(a) 1522 Doug. Corr. 86.
To sollist the Kingis hyechnes [pr. hyethnes] to that effecte 15.. Clar. iii. 76.
Nocht this I say, ȝour heichnes to gainstand 1569 Reg. Morton I. 49.
Submitting our selffis haillie in ȝour heychnes protectioun 1593 Acts IV. 25/2.
That the said morowing gift micht be made gude to the quenis heichnes 1608 Highland P. III. 113.
According to ȝour Hiechnes derectioun Ib.
Ȝour Hechnes west Iyllandis 1614 Ib. 163.
I onle request ȝow to remembir his heichnes of this my fwlische adwys(b) 1570 Leslie 293.
The Quenes heighnes of Scotland 1605 Elphinstone Chart. 151.
To the effect your heyghnes may tak sic other course with him Ib.
Your heghnes seruand 1609 Acts IV, 440/2.
All infeftmentis … ordourlie passit his heighnes caschet 1656 S. Leith Rec. 103.
His heighness the Lord protector 1657 Conv. Burghs III. 459.
Before his hieghnes honorabill parliament

2. a. Altitude, height. b. Greatness, eminence. a1586 Lindsay MS. 25 b.
The faulcone … oftymes montis and turnis in grit heichnes — 15.. Clar. iii. 1194.
Diverse reports hes cumin to his eare Of ȝour great heighnes both in peace and weir

3. Haughtiness, arrogance, pride. (Heich adj. 8). = Hienes 3. a1538 Abell Chron. 116 b.
The comon woce is that had nocht bene hir heichnes the noble Erll of Angus had bene peceablie now in Scotland