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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.

Licht-, Lychtnes, n.¹ Also: lightnes. [ME. lihtnes (12th c.), lightnes(se (Cursor M.), lythnesse etc., f. Licht a.¹]

1. Lack of weight, in the material sense. 1562-3 Winȝet II. 53/6.
Fra hand is persauit the wecht of the corne and lychtnes of the caf 1584 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 343.
The heiring … to be weill laid … within sufficient stark treyis of guid bind and lichtnes

2. Lightness of foot or movement, nimbleness, fleetness. 1596 Dalr. I. 99/16.
The reiuers selfes quha ar baith of a wondirful swoftnes and lychtnes

3. a. Lightness of heart, gaiety. 1513 Doug. viii. Prol. 14.
Langour lent is in land, all lychtnes is lost

b. Levity, frivolity, lack of seriousness; also, wantonness. c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 1670.
In this same tyme, that Grekes was Ameved throw so gret lichtnes Throw a blind fulische desyre 1456 Hay I. 275/29.
Suppos … that he had … in foly and lichtnes maid his appellacioun Ib. 287/12.
For wordis may be said … for breth or for gude wyne or othir wayis in lichtnes that sone efter he may repent Ib. II. 82/16. c1460 Consail Vys Man 25.
Quhether men of lychtnes or godlyk a1500 Prestis of Peblis 814.
He … throw lichtnes did lig in lamenry 1513 Doug. ix. Prol. 25.
All lowus langage and lychtnes lattand be 1570 Misc. Bann. C. I. 42.
The heritage of the slaines [v.r. the fatheris] lychtnes and the motheris iniquitie 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 2.
For, as in making of hir mariage, hir lichtnes was verray heidlang and rasche a1570-86 J. Maitland Maitl. F. lxxxviii. 49. O God, mak me … mirrie without lightnes; King Cat. fol. 23.
Gif ȝe be blythe ȝour lychtnes thai will lak

c. Lack of firmness or settled judgement, inconstancy, mobility. 1533 Bell. Livy I. 216/31.
Nochtheles, be natural inconstance and lichtnes of thare myndis, thai wer sone eftir penitent of thare peace contractit afore 1562-3 Winȝet II. 31/16.
Is thair ony man of sa grete fuilhardines quha [etc.] … or of sa grete lychtnes quha suld resaue by it quhilk he hes resauit fra the Kirk? 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 113/1.
The contrair ualde kythe in you ouir greate a contempt of me & lichtnes in youre awin nature 1600 Hamilton Facile Tr. Pray. 23.
Mak me … quik in ȝour seruice without lichtnes and distraction of mynd