Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Plesand-, Plesantly(e, -lie, adv. Also: plesaund-; plessand-, pleissand-; pleisant-, plessant-, pleasant-, -ent-; plisant-; plesent(l)ei. [ME. and e.m.E. plesauntli (Wyclif), pleasaunt(e)ly, also plesandeli (Wyclif), f. Plesand ppl. a.] Pleasantly, in various usual senses.

1. In a way that pleases or gratifies; pleasingly, agreeably.(a) 1456 Hay I. 29/23.
A scorpioun … suetely touchis till mannis flesch … and plesandly beris hirin company 1490 Irland Mir. I. 78/3.
Thai qualiteis … had nocht wroucht bot temporatlie and plesaundly 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 217.
A diademe maist plesandlie polite c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 374.
For [the] luf of otheris I wald me prunȝa plesandly in precius wedis 1533 Bell. Livy I. 29/3.
Sabinis … quhilkis war all plesandlie lugit … within the said tovne 1537–8 Dunferm. Reg. Ct. 152.
At … the saidis parteis vs bot thair avin alanerly and that plesandly conform to nechbouris c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 366.
Was neuer hors ran mair plesantlie c1552 Id. Mon. 5560. 1567 G. Ball. 101. a1578 Pitsc. I. 50/18.
This William … buire him self werie plessantlie to everie man 1596 Dalr. II. 333/20.
Plesandlie tha draue ouer the tyme, quhill [etc.](b) a1578 Pitsc. I. 336/18.
Pleisantlie(c) 15.. Clar. v. 2768.
Two … duikis … to the toun him did convoy Full plisantlie(d) c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxxvii. 18 (R).
Ane fair processioun mett hir … In a cap of gold & silk full pleasantlie

b. With reference to the making of a payment: Satisfactorily; adequately; ? in full.Cf. Plesand ppl. a. 1 b and Ples(e v. 6.(a) 1555 Hamilton MSS. 2.
[Andrew Hamilton] contentit … and assithit plesandlye [the] fermorers 1676 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 243.
Payabel as at Martmes at which tyem ye shal be payed plesent[l]ei and with thankes(b) 1538 Breadalbane Coll. No. 48.
The saidis Johne hes promittit to raward the said Archibald pleissandly for his seruice

2. In a manner showing pleasure or satisfaction; good-humouredly; without resentment. a1500 Henr. III. 147/28.
That princes pure … Full plesandly applidis 1533 Bell. Livy I. 53/32.
That it may be plesandlie discussit 1544 Boyd Fam. P. No. 24 (13 Oct.).
It salbe lefull to ather of thame to persew thare richts be the law befor quhatsumeuir juge competent plesandlie quhilk salbe na vnkindnes betuix the saidis partiis 1557 Ayr Chart. 45.
We … sall plesandlie ressave furth of the handis of the saidis provest … all sic landwart personis [etc.] 1571 Inverness Rec. I. 208.
I … exhortit him plessandlie to haif soitit the saidis Thomas Moir according to resson a1578 Pitsc. I. 22/33.
The gouernour hard thir vordis verrey plesandlie 1641 Hibbert P. No. 12.
If he will not pleasentlie condiscend to geve his anchour and tow [etc.] c1650 Spalding II. 23.