A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1507-1654
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(Undermining,) Undermynding, vbl. n. Also: undre-, undirmynding, wndermyning. [ME and e.m.E. undirmynyng (Wyclif), vnder myndynge, vndermynynge (both Prompt. Parv.), vndermining (1598); Undermine v.]
1. The action of excavating or tunnelling, beneath (something); digging out (an underground passage, etc.); the weakening of (a structure) by so doing. 1507 Edinb. B. Ct. Bk. 33.
To amend the hurt and scaith that he has done in the vndre mynding of a wall quhar a pillar of a galry standis apone 1513 Treasurer's Accounts IV 527.
For undirmynding of wallis … viij quareouris 1537 Edinb. Guild Ct. 10 July.
In the vndermynding of the said Johnis gavill quharthrow his closettis and the closettis abone his said land hes fillit the said Johnis sellaris 1549 Acts & Decr. III 448.
Undermynding and holking be … coilȝearis a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1825) 368.
Instruments of yrne for undermynding of passages competent to mak sum frie entrie for assault of the said castle c1650 Spalding I 280.
The haill inhabitantis … to bring to the tolbuith the haill spaidis, schoollis, mattokis [etc.] … meit for wndermyning 1654 Lanark B. Rec. 153.
For making of ane lym hooll … to the undermynding of his hous
2. The state of being penetrated by water. 1634 Dumbarton B. Rec. 44.
The vissitars report, thay faund the wattir wark in grit danger of undermynding and breking throuch [and] … thay find that the wattir of Levin above the haill bulwark is weirin in sa far [etc.]
3. The action, or an act, of working secretly against, subverting (a person or thing). 1543 Douglas Corr. 152.
Corrumpand, be money … grete menn of the realme to the … undermynding of this cuntrey 1582 Declar. Causis 6.
Al thingis tending to the vndermynding and overthrawe of … religioun 1622 Scot Course of Conformity 8.
That Italizing craft of Scottish and secret underminings 1638 Johnston Diary I 346.
[We] dreu up sundry paipers … to oppose thair secret undermyndings
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"Undermining vbl. n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/undermining_vbl_n>
