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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.

(Witnesman,) n. Pl. witnes(s)-, witnese men, wytnes-mene. [Early ME witnesman (1278), wyttenesman (1292), ON vitnismaðr.] = Witnes n. 2. a1400 Leg. S. xii 323.
Ȝe sal of me be wytnes-mene [L. testes] In the towne of Jerusalem 1451 Aberd. B. Rec. I 19.
The quhilk assise ripely avisit and the witnesmen examynit and herd in the cause 1493 Acta Conc. I 319/2.
The lard of Amisfelde sall caus his officiare with twa witnesmen … to pynd apoun the commoune that is debatabile c1500 Harl. MS 4700 286a.
And at the said seriand with witnesmen thas to the said chymmes … and mak new summondis to the said [etc.] c1500 Barounis Lawis 5.
Than aw his witnessing to sueir that thai by war hard and saw and for witnesmen war tane quhen sic attachement wes tane 1541 Sc. Hist. Rev. XIX 83.
Wyth me notar publict and witnessmen underwritin 1622-6 Bisset I 303/17.
The witnese men sworne the greit aith that they present war harde saw and for witnese war takin the said day and place quhen and quhere the said serjand maid summonis to the said [etc.]