A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1399-1591
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Missay, v. Also: myssay. Pres. t. also myssais. P.p. missaid, myssaid(e, -sad. [ME. and e.m.E. mis-, myssay(e, -sey, etc., ME. missai (Cursor M.), -sain (14th c.), early missiggen (Ancr. R.), misseien (13th c.): cf. MDu. missiggen, MHG. mis(se)sagen.]
1. tr. To speak evil of (a person), to slander, miscall, revile, vilify; to blaspheme (God, a god). a1400 Legends of the Saints xxxviii. 361.
That he suld nocht his godis bane Na thame sclaundir na missay a1400 Ib. xliii. 276.
To be myssad lykit hyme a1400 Ib. xxxviii. 366. a1400 Ib. xxxix. 152. ?1438 Alex. ii. 1258.
It fallis na lard … For to missay [F. blasmer] nowthir ȝoung nor ald 14.. Burgh Laws c. 78 (A).
Giff ony mispersonis or missayis balȝes in burgh 14.. Ib.
He sall amende till him that he has myssaide c1500 Barounis Lawis 15 b.
Missays 1533 Boece v. i. 162 b.
Lugthak … wald reddily myssay his agit lordis … calland thame chowpand auld fulis 1533 Ib. iv. 170 b.
How dar ȝe presume to myssay me with sic reproche 1550–1 Perth Guildry 275 (20 Feb.).
That Robert Salmond hes missaid … Wm Watsoun … sayand that the said William, had wrang bilaingis and wechitis 1553–4 Old Dundee I. 34. 1572 Bann. Memor. 267.
That none … missay the laboureris of the ground c1575 Balfour Pract. 286. 1591 St. A. Baxter Bks. 48.
2. intr. To speak wrongly, to say something amiss. a1500 Tale of the Colkelbie Sow ii. 258.
Haif I myssaid in ocht I sall amend
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