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.
Quotation dates: 1450-1699
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Link, Lynk, v. Also: linck. P.t. and p.p. linkit etc., p.p. also lincted, link. [ME. (c 1385) and e.m.E. link(e, lynk(e, f. Link n.1.]
1. tr. To connect, couple, join, with or as with a link or chain; to link (one thing with, unto, to another, two things together). lit. and fig.(1) c1450-2 Howlat 365.
Tharwith [sc. other armorial bearings] lynkit in a lyng … He bure a lyon as lord 1591 Misc. Spald. C. III. 161.
Ane great chaine of irne and ship mastis linkit together(2) a1499 Contemplacioun of Synnaris 1112 (Harl.).
It linkis our luf [A. lynkis our lyf] with Christ our souerane lord 1551 Hamilton Catechism 77.
Samekil is the lufe of God and our nychbour fessinit and linkit togidder that [etc.] a1585 Maitland Quarto MS xlvi. 23.
Ay sic lote is linked [M. luiket] with his love c1590 Fowler I. 70/82.
If thou me worthie think That with this dame … I chaned wer and link c1590 Ib. 374/144.
[He] Beleyved at first she linckt hir mynde Vnto his lassyve lace 16.. Craufurd in Mill Mediæv. Plays 218.
Every act [in the pageant] being lincted to another
b. To make fast with a chain or the like, to chain, tie, bind; also, to chain up. lit. and fig. 1560 Rolland Seven Sages 8841.
He is sa fast lynkit in lufis lace That he lyis seik c1590 J. Stewart 42/436.
Fair Angelique … Link till ane rock to be deuord and rent c1590 Ib. 48/23.
Linckit c1590 Ib. 49/44.
O doucest dame, thy body of delyt Vith luiflie leessis sould be link alone c1590 Ib. 50/90.
From Hypogriphe … Thay lycht and left him linkit at ane staik a1658 Durham Comm. Rev. 729.
A great chain in His hand … sheweth … His errand to link up the devil from his former liberty, as men chain mastiffs
2. To form into loops. 1513 Doug. ii. iv. 15.
Twa gret lowpit edderis … With grysly bodeis lynkit [v.r. lynking] mony fald 1513 Ib. v. ii. 87.
A gret eddir … In sevyn lowpis lynkyt
3. ? tr. To encircle or ? intr. To curl, be looped (about something). c1600 Montg. Suppl. xvii. 2.
I wis I wair transfigurat in ane ring To link about my maistris finger fyne
4. intr. To be interlinked or entwined. 1562 Reg. Privy C. I. 227.
The pile havand sunkin thairin foure lettris … linkand within utheris
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