Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

Withgate, -gait, n. [Gate n.¹ Cf. Withgang n.²] Freedom, licence, permission. 1597 Reg. Privy C. V 422.
Becaus the withgait and libertie quhilk thevis and lymmaris hes tane … to … gang fordwart in thair mishevous and wicked deidis … hes procedit pairtlie upoun the immunitie and favour grantit to thame be his heynes … his majestie … hes declairit [etc.] 1606 Acts IV 284/1.
Oure souerane lord perfytlie vnderstanding that the dew pvnischement inflictit to tratouris and rebellis, and the rewardis richtlie distributit to faythfull and weill deserveing subiectis incourages the better sorte in weill doing and is ane terrour to the ewill disposit to give withgait to thair inclinatioun 1606 Acts IV 616/2.
Considdering the gryit extorsioun vseit by the wreateris and clerkis of all judicatories within this realme in extorting … suche … exhorbitant pryces for thair wreatis … procuring thairbye not onlie privat grudgis bot publict exclamatiounes aganis the withgait and libertie grantit vnto suche shamefull scafferie and extorsioun 1613 Reg. Privy C. IX 556.
[The past] oversicht and withgait [accorded to delicate persons to eat flesh at their pleasour having been] the cheif and principall caus of this abuse 1617 Melrose P. 275.
If this preparatiue sould haue withgait, efter-cuming princes counsalled be strengers, might [etc.] 1627 Haddington Corr. 151.
If they [sc. the clergy] get withgate to encrease the burdings of noblemen and gentlemen having right to teinds, by [etc.]