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

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

Practis-, Practizar, -er, Practeser, n. Also: practiseir, -yser, -eisar. [ME and e.m.E. practiser(e (14–15th c.), practisoure (Piers Plowman), practysure, practitioner (Piers Plowman), schemer (1545), ? AF *practisour, f. OF pra(c)tiser Practis(e v.]

1. A schemer, plotter, conspirator. = Practician(e n. 2. 1558-66 Knox I 460.
The pestilent wittis of the quenis practisaris did then exercise thame selfis Ib. II 44.
Mr. James Balfoure who was the greatest practiser and had drawn the band of the Balfouris eschaiped 1571–2 Reg. Privy C. II 123.
Na notorious rebellis, declarit tratouris, or oppin practizeris knawin to the said lord aganis our said souerane lord … salbe ressett 1588–9 Ib. IV 363.
Practizaris 1588–9 Cal. Sc. P. IX 699.
I could not be ȝour freind gife ȝe trusted thais practizers 1596–7 Misc. Spald. C. I 99.
Thow was ane continuall practizer withe … thi mother of hir haill mwrdres a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1825) 309.
That he laikit nathing bot assistance aganis the saidis practesers for the league 1600-1610 Melvill 265.
Divers practeisars and trafectars, jesuistes, seminarie preists, and uther emissars of the antichryst crape in the countrey c1610 Melville Mem. 329.
I parsauit him clean alterit, and a very practyser against the quyetnes of this estait a1651 Calderwood II 43.
The Lord Seton … and some other practisers were sent before to raise new troubles

2. One who puts into practice (an evil device or design). Said of persons accused of witchcraft. 1590 Crim. Trials I ii 199.
Thow vndirstanding that thay, being examinat, wald convict thé of wychecraft, sorcerie and poysoune, in respect money of thame knew thay secreittis, and was practiseiris of thy devysis 1603 Inverness Rec. II 21.
Fund … the said Donald Moir to be culpabil and practiser and doar of all … the heidis malefactis and deidis contenit in the … dittayis 1622 Crim. Trials III 514.
Seing the witches, practizeris of that vnlauchfull and godles meane ar best acquentit with the poyntis of thair awin craft