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.
Wil(l, v.1 Also: wil(l)e, wyl(l, wylle, vil(l, ville, vyl(l, uil(l, weile, we(y)ll, wol(l(e, wooll, (i)ll, il, ‘ll, ‘le. 2nd pers. also wilt. Pres. p. also wilnande, wlland, willan, -ene, wol(l)yne, welleng. P.t. wald(e, wauld, waild, vaild, vald(e, uald(e, (warld); wall, wad(d, vad, waud, wayd, wade, wold(e, vold, w(o)uld, woolde, voild, wyld, (vyld); wud, wod, wou’d, woute, vid. 2nd pers. also wald(y)st, -est, woldst, wolt. [ME and e.m.E. wille, wulle (both c1175), uole (a1275), wolle (1297), wil(l (Cursor M.), wol (c1350), wel (c1425), wyl(e (14th c.), wyllenex (c1430), wooll (a1436), wal (1436), woll (c1440), wele (c1450), ‘le (?14th c), ‘l (1602), ‘ll (1623). 2nd pers. also wilt, wult, etc. Pl. will(en, etc. Coalesced forms wultu (a1225), willy (a1300), wilbe (c1440). P.t. wald(en (c1175), wollde (Orm), wolde, wuld(e (both c1250), wold (Cursor M.), walld (a1352), wod (c1469), would (a1500), woold (1548), waude (1564-78), wawd (1581), wud (1620), wou’d (1663), OE *willan (pres. wille, p.t. wolde, Anglian walde), OFris. willa, MDu. willen, ON vilja (p.t. vilda).]Also found as one word in the combinations wilbe, waldbe, etc.
A. Will, used as a main verb and as an auxiliary verb.
1. As a main verb: To desire, wish for, want, occas. with implication of intention or purpose. a. tr.With simple object. b. With clause object. Quot. K. Hart may belong in 2, with the particular sense of ‘bequeath’. See also Wil(l v.2 c. With to and infinitive. See also Willing pres. ppl. d. intr.Const. weill with a person as indirect object: To wish (one) well.Also in collocation with Nil(l v. 2, q.v. for examples.a. c1420 Wynt. vi 2156.
Makduff sayd I will no mare c1420 Wynt. vii 1553.
Til thi legis will thow oucht mare? All tyme yha that thai welle fare c1420 Wynt. ix 3205.
At the countyre quhat wil ye mare 1456 Hay I 203/24.
The preste suld erar will that na his awin lyf 1513 Doug. iii vii 43.
Quhat wil [Ruddim. wyl] ȝe mair? quhen we behuffyt depart, Terys brysting furth … To thame I said [etc.] 1567 G. Ball. 128.
Thow will [D. wilt] nocht sic auarice 1566-70 Buch. Comm. on Virgil Æn. v 418.
Idque probat, will the same 1570 Conv. Burghs I 19.
Caus the same [letters] be execute … as thai will the regarid of thair commoun weillis a1586 Lindsay MS 39b.
Gif ye will [Loutfut MS 42a, wil wit] mair heirof demand the auld harrauldisb. 1375 Barb. i 508.
Sen ȝe will it be swa I will blythly apon me ta The state 1375 Barb. vii 144 (C).
I will That ȝhe ga forrow vs quhill [etc.] a1400 Leg. S. iv 140.
That thu kene clergy, I will ȝete c1420 Wynt. i Prol. 83.
And for I wyll nane bere the blame Off my defawte [this] is my name c1420 Ratis R. 1610.
God wyll nocht He be forȝet … He wyll thai knaw His maieste; … Bot ȝhit for al that He can do [etc.] a1500 Seven S. 1749.
Schir, will ȝe I dreme this nycht a1500 K. Hart 908.
Grein Lust, I leif to thé [etc.] … Ȝouthheid, becaus that thow my barneheid kend, To Wantounnes ay will I that thow bow a1500 Prestis of Peblis 111 (A).
And now I will ȝe wit with deligens Quharfor that I [etc.] 1545 Douglas Corr. 155.
The guvernour and lordis … ville nocht that me lord leuttenent sal see ther commission 1558 Deeds (Reg. H.) III 40.
Willand that the said Duncane be nocht alluterlie disherisit of his heritage 1560 Rolland Seven S. 2536.
Ȝit He will not thairfoir ȝe perischit be, Bot lent ȝow grace ȝour sinnis heir repent(b) 1556 Prot. Bk. Sir A. Gaw 39 marg.
Jhon Vemys declarit Elizabeth vil that Vilȝam and his vif sal have the stra simpliciter John Vemis with my handc. 1562-3 Winȝet I 31/32.
Swa He wyll but dout His belouit to obserue the ordinance of His haly kirk 1563 Conv. Burghs I 528.
To will her Grace to nominat to thame the man [etc.]d. 1513 Doug. Direct. 97.
I will weill otheris can [Ruddim. I will thame weill can [etc.]] say mair curyusly But I haue said eftir my fantasy
2. tr.In the expression of an authoritative intention: To ordain, decree. b. With non-material subject: To demand, require, ? permit. 1375 Barb. i 160.
Gyff God will that it sa be c1379 MacRae Early Sc. Texts No. 1.
I will at the landys be haldyn eftyr the tenovr of the ald charterys … in the wytnes of the qvylk … I haf set my seyll 14.. Burgh Laws c. 59 (B).
The iustyce may nocht set day attoure xv days agayne his wyl that askys lauch bot gyfe he wyl & graunt it a1423 (1431) Reg. Great S. 44/2.
We will that … Patrik be payit [etc.] 14.. Reg. Maj. c. 166.
Gif it be done in the contrar we wyl it be again callit 1449–50 Glasgow Chart. I ii 28.
The qwhilkis we wyll nocht that thai extend to mak ony … lattyng to the fredom and kyrk of Glasgu a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 145.
Than said the syre of the saill … 'I will na vittale be sauld your senyeour vntill.' ‘That is at your avne will,’ said wourthy Gawane 1492 Reg. Cupar A. I 254.
We wil … that the said Andro Currour … jois and bruyk the said botht 1494 Reg. Episc. Morav. 219.
Uil 1496–7 Acta Conc. II 49.
The Lordis of Consale … willand and declarand … that [etc.] 1521 Maxwell Mem. I 247.
I vil grantis and promittis that the said Georgis [etc.] … sal browyke joys and manwr pecepbil … the forsaid landis … in assedacion of me 1566-70 Buch. Comm. on Virgil Georgics ii 307.
Regnat, dois quhat it will c1575 Balfour Pract. 638.
That na persoun be prejudgit of his richt we will that the masteris … bring the … shippis [etc.]b. a1400 Leg. S. xviii 653.
Rycht & resone wil that I [etc.] c1420 Wynt. viii 4991.
Fortowne, thowcht scho fald fekilly, Will noucht at anis myscheffis fall
3. With infinitive without to (cf. l c above): To wish, desire, have a mind, seek to do (something), freq. with the intention of fulfilling the implied desire. b. Where the subject describes a type of person so introducing a contingent element. a1400 Leg. S. iv 133.
Quhy wil ȝe [nocht] now Tak phylet and reweng ȝow? c1420 Wynt. vii 55.
On fwte at lykyng thow may lycht Or on hors gyve thow will be As thé thynk best c1420 Wynt. viii 5190.
On qwhat manere Will yhe ryn at this justyng here? Wyth plate scheldis sayd Ramsay a1500 K. Hart 895.
For I will dispone of my thesaure Vpon this wyse mak I my testament a1500 Bk. Chess 620.
Will thow thi wyf cheis weile To the gud moder douchter se thow go c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 118/98.
In die mee sepulture I will nane haif bot our awne gyng 1513 Doug. iv x 83.
Quhy wilt thou not fle spedely be nycht Quhen forto haist thou hes laser? 1562-3 Winȝet I 24/28.
Sen now al men wilbe theologis a1568 Bann. MS 158a/41.
Quhen his maister cryis hors and to the fair will mynt 1622 Elgin Rec. II 174.
Alexander Hephburne pat his thie to stay Robert Martein and wald nocht lat him sitt doun and said … Will thow sitt on my knie, kneaff?(b) 1511 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III 107.
Quhat your lordschipe wile do herto emples send ansuerb. 1375 Barb. iv 718.
Thai men that will study In the craft off astrology Knaw [etc.] 1375 Barb. ix 665.
Quha-sa off him the south will [C. vald] reid 14… Edinb. Univ. MS La.ii.318.
Al clerkis may se that wil it luke [etc.] 14.. Burgh Laws c. 74 (B).
Qwha that wyl sel flesche [A. Ilk buchour that sellis flesch] he sal sel gude flesche 1456 Hay I 137/6.
He that will pay mare na he aw, it is na payment. It is gift
4. As an auxiliary verb: Expressing intention, with future reference, passing into a mere expression of the voluntary nature of the action. a. In the first person. Also proverb.b. In the first person plural, in some instances expressing a proposal: Let us. c. In the second person, in interrogative use. d. In the third person. e. In the third person, in a threat.a. 1375 Barb. iv 552 (C).
I will send a man to Carrik To … speir how the kynrik Is led 1375 Barb. v 69.
Thar sall na perell … Dryve me … to the se. Myne auentur her tak will I a1400 Leg. S. iii 1049.
I wyll Ane vthyre questione send hym till, Quhare-in we ma assay his wit c1420 Wynt. vi 2157.
Makduff sayd … I will na langare karpe wyth thé c1420 Wynt. vii 1526.
This man … Fell [etc.] … As now I will reherse yhow here a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 102.
Schort amendis will I mak Thi schore compt I noght ane caik 1490 Irland Mir. I 106 h. of ch.
Wil 1513 Doug. xiii Prol. 183.
Than thocht I thus: I will my cunnand kepe, I will not be a daw, I will not slepe, I wil compleit my promys … and cloys our buke 1531 Bell. Boece (M) I 29.
Quhais pepill war maist wailȝeand … as we sall eftir here. Bot now I will return agane to my first mater 1548 Corr. M. Lorraine 233.
I will nocht inpesche your grace with na ferther writin c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 192.
Quhen I cum agane … To marie ȝow I will be glaid 1567 G. Ball. 127.
To thy mercy with thé will I go than sall my tung [etc.] 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 57.
I wyl pas over that iniury 1570 Misc. Bann. C. I 47*.
And I persave that I will pas to the Byris and halk a1578 Pitsc. II 211/14.
To this ansuerit the regent and said ‘I vill weill imploy … my haill companie thairvnto' 1619 Innes Sketches 522.
The berar spak sumthing to me of freiss to be Jhone ane garment … bot I will luke for your lettir mair particularlie(b) 1544 Corr. M. Lorraine 105.
My lordis being bund on to your grace for the comonne weill weyll put rameid in his unrasonable handlyng off yowr gracis subeisproverb. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 981.
I will not baith winter and sommer yow a taill a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 996.
I will not crak, I will happning be a cadgerb. 1401 MacRae Early Sc. Texts No. 8.
We … wil do our besynes to bryng it thar to at our power a1500 Seven S. 1722.
Ane said this nycht Of my dremyng the tyme begynnis For thi we will pas till our innes And slepe 1531 Bell. Boece (M) I 74.
Bot now we will return to our history a1561 Q. Kennedy Breif Tract. (ed.) 112/13.
We vil ressone the mater sumpart(b) 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1367 (Ch.).
On all wyfis we'ill cry ane loud vengencec. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 40/6.
How lang will ȝe with denger deill? 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6709.
Wil thow murther me As thow hes done the Empreouris knichts a1561 Q. Kennedy Breif Tract. (ed.) 139/15.
Wil thow say that the scriptouris alleget be Ecolampadius and Calvyne ar truely and propirlye allegit? 1609 Crim. Trials III 47.
My Lord, will ȝe ryid away and leif this bludie theif behind ȝou?d. c1475 Wall. v 906.
Wpon grace as my autor will tell Schir Jhone the Grayme … To the Corhed come [etc.] a1561 Q. Kennedy Breif Tract. (ed.) 139/1.
I vil speir at ony man [etc.] … be quhat authoritie … vil they preif [etc.] 1568 Q. Mary in Facs. Nat. MSS III lviii.
A. schawis that scho wil be aganis thame baith 1676 Dunferm. Ann. 346.
Mr. Charles Wardlaw … declares he will exerces his office no longer(b) c1400 Troy-bk. ii 21 (C).
They woll [D. wolle] haue all hys gold aweye. ?1438 Alex. ii 8633.
Ȝeild thé to me, Or eillis thy lyfe lorne wil be
5. Expressing firm intention, determination or insistence. Also const. nedis.(1) c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 127/47.
Quhy sould not palfrayis thane be prowd, Quhen gillettis wilbe schomd and schroud a1540 Freiris Berw. 297 (M).
Lat be fair dame thay wourdis ar in vane I will thame haue … Mak no delay bot bring thame doun to me a1599 Rollock Wks. I 303.
Opponing thy self to deith saying I will not die and I sall not die 1602 Colville Paraenese 70.
Thai vill haue no altar … thai vill not haue glorifeit sancts … bot men lyik thair self … thai vill haue to pray for tham 1620 Calderwood VII 420.
Mr. Johne, we have done for you, and I have done for you, and ye will be wilfull, and keepe [etc.](2) 1633 Aberd. Council Lett. I 378 (see Nedis adv. 2).
6. Expressing intention without strong temporal reference or where the notion of futurity is superseded by a contingent element: Choose(s) to, do(es), decide(s) to, happen(s) to. 1375 Barb. ix 32 (C).
Syne fall quhat euir that God vill send 1375 Barb. xii 198.
I sall consent … To do rycht as ȝe will dywys c1379 MacRae Early Sc. Texts No. 1.
Me Alexander of Mongumre … haf … vndyrtane till Alayne of Lawedre … that qvat tyme at he will aske me … that I sall [etc.] c1420 Ratis R. 540.
Thar is nan so fals a man That he na wyll lawte luf … Thocht he wald ellis [etc.]
7. In relation to the request, suggestion or requirement of another or necessity imposed by some external force or influence, as, reason, duty, etc. a. Expressing consent or acquiescence: Am (are, is) willing, prepared (to do something). With negative: Refuse(s). Also const. passive. b. Expressing necessity, a legal or moral requirement, passing into simple futurity: Must, is (are) going to. c. Expressing simple futurity determined by external forces or circumstance: Is (are) going to.a. (l) 1375 Barb. xix 93.
‘A thing I pray ȝow graunt me … ’ The king than sone [has] said him till, ‘I will wele graunt that it sua be’ 1562-3 Winȝet I 7/24.
Quhat wyll ye geve me? 1565 Facs. Nat. MSS III lvi.
Not dowtand heirfoir bot your gude lordship … wilbe the said Mr. Maluilis addres 1567 G. Ball. 15.
Preiche … That … Quha will beleif … Thay salbe saif 1574 Misc. Maitl. C. I 109.
To inquire of euery inhabitare quhat thai will bestow … and to inroll euery manis name with the sowme at … quhat thai will gif ouklie 1614 Crim. Trials III 307.
Will yow assist and tak pairt with my sone? And the depouner at the first planelie refuisit(b) a1400 Leg. S. iii 841.
Quhen ony man … wile one Sancte Androw cal … he helpis all(2) 1375 Barb. i 154.
Gyff thow will hald in cheyff off me … I sall [etc.] ?1438 Alex. i 551.
Gif thow will do this message, I am reddy [etc.] 1401 MacRae Early Sc. Texts No. 8.
Gif yhe will adress yhu to be at ony day with hym … send vs word a1540 Freiris Berw. 311 (B).
I tak on hand and ȝe will counsale keip That I sall [etc.] 1560 Rolland Seven S. 3046.
Quhair ȝe say he is dum Will ȝe suffer bot ane schort time to cum I find ȝow … That he sall speik a1561 Q. Kennedy Breif Tract. (ed.) 139/11.
Quhilk easaly may be persauit gif thow vyl reade the vark of Hilarius 1609 Crim. Trials III 47.
Within ane day or twa gif ȝe will send ȝour man to me I sall satisfie ȝow(3) a1400 Leg. S. Prol. 31.
How that men ma ensample ta For to serwe God … & quha-sa wil nocht, sal haf blam a1400 Leg. S. xvi 495.
‘Gudmen for-thi Sparis a tyme that we ma se Suthfastly gyf scho ded be!’ ‘Na,’ sad thai, ‘we wil nocht spare … hyr' 14.. Burgh Laws 15 (A).
& gif the burrow greff will nocht [B. refoysis to] doo iustice 1490 Irland Mir. II 69/13.
Gret prid is that the sempil persouns wil nocht … trow to the halykyrk a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 470.
Thare is na schip that wil thé now ressave 1531 Bell. Boece (M) I 52.
Hee sall suffer nane to remane with him bot sa mony as will assist to his foly 1549 Compl. 73/15.
For thai that vil nocht expose there bodeis … to perrel … bot rather vil thole … ther natiue cuntre to perreis 1551 Hamilton Cat. 51.
Siclik supersticion is amang thame that will nocht berisch … the bodis of thair freindis on the north part of the kirk yard 1569 Canongate Ct. Bk. 65.
That … the said Thomas Kincaid refuisis and on na wayis will find to thame sufficient cautionaris 1588 King Cat. App. 18.
Lord I purpose by Thy grace, and protestes befoir Thy maiestie that I wil nocht agrie to the breaking of Thy halie commandiments(b) 1518 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 46.
Becaus he boucht his bere or it was wone off the erd thai woll nocht admit the bering of the samen 1612 Orkney & Shetl. Ct. Bk. (ed.) 19.
Beggeris … begging woll fisch and corn