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

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Wechtines, Wei(c)htines, n. Also: wechtynes, wechtiness, vechtines, -ynes, weghtines, weychttines, -ynes, waichtines. [e.m.E. weightynesse (1530), weightines (1560), waightinesse (1596).] Only fig.

1. Gravity, seriousness; importance.(a) 1549 Acts Sederunt i 50.
Havand consideracione of the wechtynes and gretnes of the actione of spulye intentit be the Lard of Bukclewch aganis the Lard of Trabroune 1559 St. A. Kirk S. 6.
The wechtines of his offens delatate to him, he is becumin penitent 1578–9 Edinb. B. Rec. IV 98.
Finding the materis to be tretit vpoun requiring na sic haist bot that thai may be supersedit quhill the parliament … and having rispect to the wechtines of thame quhilkis cum ta na conclusioun bot be parliament 1586 Perth B. Ct. 8 June.
Vechtynes 1594 Writers Signet xxi.
To conclude, … all actis … necessare, … and pecuniall panes accordingly to the wechtines of the offence 1600-1610 Melvill 353.
Anent the making of a new covenant … the present assemblie … apprehending the weghtines [etc.] 1602 Shetland Sheriff Ct. 3a.
The iuge … in consideratioun of the vechtines of his falt decernis him to tyne his office 1603 3rd Rep. Hist. MSS App. iii 396/2.
Wechtiness(b) 1568 Anderson Collect. Mary IV 127.
Nocht doubting bot your hienes will consider the weihtines of our cause as it stands 1582 Maxwell Mem. II 150.
It is impossible to instruct ony swa sufficientle as the weychttynes of the caus requyris 1588 Douglas Corr. 239.
In respect of the weychttines of the caus … remittis the rest to ȝour cuminge(c) 1596 Dalr. II 44/20.
Waichtines

2. Onerousness. 1600 Crim. Trials II 121.
Considdering the name of this judgement, and the wechtines thairof vpoun lyffe and deid 1610 Reg. Privy C. IX 85.
[His other offices in the King's service being] of suche qualitie as the weghtines thairof oftymes urgeis his awne presence at court 1638 Bk. Univ. Kirk App. xvii.
Mr. Archibald Johnstoun wes chosin … clerk … who, efter the acknowledgement of the weichtines of the charge, and his insufficiencie for it [etc.] 1645 Old Kirk Chron. 75.
The minister reminds them now and then of their call and its wechtiness