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 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Possessit, -ed, Possest, ppl. adj. [e.m.E. possessed (of a devil etc.) (1534), absol. in same sense (1657), occupied or held as one's own (1595): cf. Posses(s v. 5 c and d, and Pos(s)essing vbl. n. a.] Possessed by a devil or evil spirit; demoniac, lunatic, mad. Also absol. b. Seized and dominated by a purpose or by (with) some mental attribute or quality.(1) 1551 Hamilton Cat. 228.
Thai kest out mony devillis fra men and wemen that was possessit 1570 Leslie 113.
Ane wod man possest slew … ane lady [etc.](2) 1596 Dalr. II 174/16.
Seing a possest persone with the deuil … rinn throuch gaites … frilie 1630 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. III 604.
That Margaret … the possest woman in Dunce … be brought heere(3) a1500 Rois Garlandis 83.
The quhilk … deliuerit the possest and did mony vthir miraclis 1597 James VI Dæmonol. (S.T.S.) 41/36.
When I speake of the possessed and dæmoniacquesb. 1570 Sempill Sat. P. xii 14.
Tint be ane tratour … Possest in purpois lyfe for lyfe to cose a1585 Maitl. Q. xcv 22.
With equitie and faytfulnes possest c1650 Spalding I 139.
The maisteris … possessit with the lyke fear that thay sould cum