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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.

Witnes, v. Also: vitnes, witnesse, wittnes, wytnes, vytnes. [ME and e.m.E. wittnes (Cursor M.), witnesse (Manning), wittenes (Destr. Troy), wytnesse (1474).]

1. a. tr.Of a person: To supply testimony, to attest to (something). Also in a legal context. Also absol.b. Of a thing: To testify to, show forth, display (how, that, etc.). Also in imperative as part of the structure of a legal document. c. intr. To witness against (something), to speak out against (it).a. ?1438 Alex. ii 4659.
The Gretians witnes [F. tesmoingnent] him … Of souerane worship our all that is 1428 Liber Melros 519.
I wes requeryt … for to wytnes vndir wryt the thyng at wes determynyt befor me in iugementabsol. c1520-c1535 Nisbet John xiii 21.
Jesus … was trubilit in spirit and witnessit and said, ‘Treuly, treuli, I say to you that aan of you sal betray me’b. (1) a1400 Leg. S. xviii 175.
Hafand his consciens vytnes [c1520-c1535 Nisbet 2 Cor. i 12, the witnessing of our conscience] How he in that tyme liffand vas For vthyre witnes nedit nane Bot God & hyme-selfe al-ane 14.. Burgh Laws c. 109a (B).
Thai may sel thir gyf thai be streigned thrw … pouerte as the law of burgh wytnes 1561 Q. Kennedy Compendious Ressonyng 178 (G).
As thair warkis wytnesses and oure eyne dowes our larglie hawe occasione to testifye thair … proude pratling 1558-66 Knox I 103.
Presonaris … war send home ransome free upoun promesse of thair fidelitie which, as it was keapt, the ishew will witnesse 1558-66 Knox II 355.
For he was assured of the most parte of thame that war with the Quene, as the ishew did witnes 1650 Misc. Maitl. C. II 468.
So did they … contribute thaire utmost endevours … as thaire instructions, letters, declarations, and ther commissioners papers can wittnes(2) 1391 MacRae Early Sc. Texts No. 3.
Witnes that it is acordit be twyn Wauter Scot … and Howisun off Fodrygame … that … Wauter has tan the forsaid Howisunys part off the landis off Cauertonc. 1690 Shields Grievances and Sufferings 54.
It is certainly a land-sin to be witnessed against as well as a grievance that such enemies of truth … should be admitted unto … power … in the army

2. Of a chronicle(r): To record, evidence (a fact, etc.). a. Const. of an event. b. tr.Const. clause object.a. c1475 Wall. xi 1082.
Comynis ded tharoff it wytnesis [pr. wytness] morb. c1515 Asl. MS I 153/10.
And this witnes sanct Jerome in the translacoun of the storye 1596 Dalr. I 217/6.
Ane Christiane, as witnessis Beda, skairslie durst [etc.] 1622-6 Bisset II 200/32.
The Ebrewis and Josephus vitnesis used bying and selling in the tyme of Noy

3. To guarantee the authenticity of (a document, etc.) by appending one's signature. 1667 Kirkcudbr. Test. (Reg. H.) 3 July.
T. Hutoune notar in premises witnessing my subscription manuall 1687 Kirkcudbr. Test. (Reg. H.) 17 June.
James Turner notter … does subscryve this present testament … witnessinge my subscriptione manuell

4. To take note, observe (something), as evidence of a fact, etc. Also proverb. a1500 Colk. Sow ii 189.
Presome nevir bot povert may prewaill … Witnes this pig sone be experience That was fangit in the fulis offence To be killit c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus iii 268.
I protest … That it sall turne vs to na prejudice … Be ȝour hatrent … Witnes, Acteon quhome that ȝe gart occiseproverb. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1160.
My mother bad me witnes quho weill dois furthe, and I tuke misnurtered at my awin hand