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

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Cast, v. Also: caste, kast(e, caist; p.t. kest(e, kist(e, kyst(e, keist, ceist, keastt, ceast; kaist(e, caist, cast; kost, kust, cust(e, kuist (kwist), cuist, coost; p.p. castin(e, -yne, castne, casten(e; cassin(e, -yn(e, cassen (cassing); cast (kast). [ME. casten (c 1230), cast(e, ON. kasta (p.t. -aðe, p.p. -aðr). The usual forms of the p.t. and p.p. follow the model of the strong verbs.]

I. 1. To cast or throw, so as to shift from one place to another.To cast cantrips: see Cantrip n.(a) a1400 Leg. S. xvi. 476.
Do caste we owt this ded body
Ib. xx. 226.
Quhy thole ȝe thame … to kast thame in the lak[e]?
c1420 Wynt. ii. 518.
To cast stanys fast behynde
Ib. v. 1240.
Syne he bad that men suld fast That watyr in thare howsys cast
?1438 Alex. ii. 1327.
Thay within can stanes cast
1456 Hay I. 8/1.
He gert cast in the furnas the thre haly persouns
a1500 Rauf C. 487.
He bad the coilȝear … Cast the creillis fra the capill
a1500 Bk. Chess 1055.
He … Bad byrne his cors and cast it in the se
c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 231.
Fische wyvis cryis, Fy, and castis doun skillis and skeilis
1513 Doug. ii. ix. 64.
The ald waykly … A dart did cast
1554 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 193.
The querriouris … oblist thame … to cast the red behin thame and fill vp the hollis
1560 Rolland Seven S. 6626.
[He] to the sey can pas … And thair but mair castis in the … knicht
a1578 Pitsc. II. 102/19.
God … soune heirefter castis the scourge in the fyre
1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 68.
Thair wes the noyis of pepill casting the glassis with wyne
a1585 Maitl. Q. lxxx. 3.
Into the port hir self sho castis Thair lyfe or death to find
1604 Urie Baron Ct. 6.
Alleging … that thai do caist thame [the peats] away in the pet pottis
1612 Misc. Maitl. C. I. 419.
Prophaning the Sabboth daye in casting the stone and hammer
1688 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII. 247.
You … did sie George Fergusone … playeing and casteing his bonnet
(b) 1375 Barb. viii. 469.
Thair gownys deliuerly … thai kest avay
Ib. xi. 593.
Thai … mony speris … Kest emang thame
a1400 Leg. S. ii. 42.
That serpent … he in the fyre … fra him keste
Ib. xvi. 502.
The prince can pray That thai hyr kest nocht in the se
c1420 Wynt. v. 5190.
Thare oure the wattyr he kest hys wand
Ib. viii. 2062.
He … kest fast … the blode In till Willame Walays face
a1500 Seven S. 2590.
His son in to the se he kest
c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxxii. 108.
Quhilk crose and nalis … And bludy crowne befoir me kest
1513 Doug. iii. i. 125.
On we kest of warm mylk mony a skul
Ib. xi. xv. 144.
Scho … fra hir kest hir wapynnys and armyng
1533 Boece v. ii. 166.
Apoun oure folkis Romanis … kest dartis
1533 Bell. Livy I. 33/32.
Thai kest at hir al thare targis
c1552 Lynd. Mon. 1872.
Than Nembroth … Thir brether boith keste in the fyre
15.. Lichtoun Dreme 17.
I … kest myself richt with ane michtie bend
1597 Elgin Rec. II. 59.
It is tryit that John Layngis sone … kest stans at James Grantis quhyit
1635 Kirkcaldy Presb. 101.
James Abercrombie … kest ane seatt foorth in the middest of the kirk
c1650 Spalding I. 87.
The scolleris … rave thame all in blaidis … and kest them in the sea
(b) a1400 Leg. S. xvii. 65.
One hyme scho kyste the vatyr rath
Ib. xli. 279.
The fel paianis … kist stanis at thame
Ib. xliv. 285.
He … kiste thare-in pyk & brynstan
(c) 1567 Inverness B. Rec. I. 146.
The said Ewin … keist ane tre … at me, … and thaireftyr keist stanis at me
1572-5 Diurn Occurr. 230.
All the remanent [munition] thai keist in the sey ground
1594 Elgin Rec. II. 39.
Agnes Smyt careit the watter … to the rynnand wattir of Lossie and keist in the same thair
1604 Ib. 125.
He keist a staine at hir calff
1627 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. II. 62.
David Hoode … [murdered] Johnne Harlaw, … and keastt him in a howe ditche
(d) 1554 Prot. Bk. G. Grote 2.
Villiam Hall, officiar, kaist furtht the stres, ij stulis, furtht of the houssis
1562-3 Winȝet I. 127/24.
Quha sauld thair geris and landis … and kaist the prices thairof at the Disciplis feit
a1585 Maitl. Q. lxii. 146.
The pryice of Christ quhillk Iudas kaist againe
1590 Crim. Trials I. 211.
He tuik ane thing lyke to ane fute-ball … and caist the same in the see
1600 Acts IV. 208/2.
The deponer kaist the halk fra him
1611-57 Mure Ps. xviii. 42.
I … caist them out like myre in streets
1622-6 Bisset II. 166/30.
He … murthered the said Nathalocus … sittand on the previe … and kaist him thairin
(e) 1524 Carnwath Baron Ct. 18 b.
Iok Mosman cuist ane stane at Iame Mennon
1550–1 Corr. M. Lorraine 346.
He cuist out ane pursfull of auld sousis
1565 Prot. Bk. J. Scott 31.
Dauid Orme … kuist vpe agane the saidis staneis and lyme of the brokin wall
1569-73 Bann. Memor. 174.
The rest [of the arms] thei cust ouer in the sea
1593 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 85.
[He] patt violent hands on his wyff, … and cuist hir our hir awin stair
1600 Crim. Trials II. 196.
He … cuist ane sklait stane ower the wyndo among the pepill
1624 Miss. Abbotsf. C. 146.
Scho almost cuist the bairne thryse in the fyre
1641 Peebles Gleanings 238.
[He] with a graip kuist down a great part of the thack … of the said hous
(c) a1400 Leg. S. xii. 65.
The quene … that cofyne nere-by cane se With wawis castine to the land
Ib. xx. 275.
In the mikil fyre … he gert tham castine be
c1420 Wynt. v. 912.
In the se his body lay Castyn thare efftyr mony day
1456 Hay I. 40/30.
The barnis was castyn to the wolvis in the wod
a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 357.
The wit thou suld haue had was castin in … with a staf slong
1600 Hamilton Facile Tr. 390.
[Thay] ar worthie … to be castin in the deip and dark pit of hel
1698 Fam. Innes 38.
His hoar head cut off … and casten at the King's feet
(b) 1450 Reg. Episc. Brechin I. 151.
Certane personis … [have] tane away the said proppis and cassyne mony of thaim in the … wattir of Cruok
c1500-c1512 Dunb. vi. 40.
Quhar drink and draff may ilka day Be cassyne super faciem mean
1518 Dunferm. B. Rec. 297.
Swa at the muk stuf … cassyn in at the clovs may be keppit thare
1519 Reg. Episc. Aberd. II. 177.
Ane haile [brandar] and ane brokin and cassin by
1531 Bell. Boece I. 121.
The occiane see apperit bludy, and mony deid bodyis cassin to the brayis thairof
Ib. 174.
His body suld be cassin to the houndis
1549 Ann. Banff. I. 27.
The gudes to be eschett or cassing our the craig
1558-66 Knox II. 357.
He was cassen over-thorte a pair of crealles, and so was caryed to Abirdene
1564 Reg. Privy C. I. 281.
That … the lynt … be … oppynit, handillit, and cassin furth to the wynd
1590 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 331.
xij boistis scrochertis and confectis that was cassin over the stairs of the bow the day of the entres
1605 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 237.
That he suffir na stainis nor ballest to be cassin out
1612 Crim. Trials IIII. 239.
The defunct missing his dager, quhilk … was cassin vp … vpone ane almerie heid
1660 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 187.
Ane great number of glasses to be cassin and brokin
(c) 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6627.
He is cast into the sey
c1568 Lauder Minor P. i. 126.
That man sall be cast furth

b. absol. To perform the act of throwing. a1400 Leg. S. xl. 510.
Sa far as man mycht caste with hand
c1420 Wynt. viii. 4864.
Qwhen thai castyne hade
?1438 Alex. ii. 1329.
Sum kest with handes and sum with sloung
c1475 Wall. ix. 167 (ed. 1570).
Thay castand war rycht awfull on athir sid
1513 Doug. vii. xi. 110.
The maste parte To schut or cast war perfite in the art
fig. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 9087.
With the Empreour in fauouris ȝe do stand; Thairfoir the mair thay will cast at ȝour hand

c. To cast (dice, lots, etc.). Also absol.For examples with the nouns see Cavill, Cut, Dice, Lot. c1475 Wall. vii. 386.
It [sc. the lot] wald on him, … Continually, quhill thai had castyn thrys
a1500 Bk. Chess 1990.
This harlot kest apon thre dyce auchtene
Ib. 1992.
Quhen Bernard kest, a dyce in two is gone
c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxxiv. 73.
Bot he kest vp fair syisis thre
fig. a1605 Montg. Son. xxxiv. 3.
A wretchit woman … Vhose chanch is cassin that sho can not chuse Bot sigh

d. To bandy, exchange (words). c1420 Wynt. viii. 2049.
Fra that kest thai na ma wordis

2. To bring, put, convey, etc., with some force or speed; to change the place of (something) by a forcible or sudden movement. Freq. with adverbs, as down, out, up, or preps., as in(to).(a) a1400 Leg. S. xxxvi. 333.
Herod gert Johnne in presone caste
1387 Edinb. Charters 35.
Betwene the chapellis [sal be] guteryt with hewyn stane to cast the watir owte
c 1420 Liber Calchou 451.
Thir spycery brayde be thaim self … castis out vennome
c1420 Wynt. viii. 1810.
The yhettis … off the towne thai gert wp cast
1456 Hay II. 45/22.
As drede … gerris a person cast downe the hede, and luke to the erde
c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxix. 36.
Syne Deid castis up his ȝettis wyd
1531 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 55.
Quhair ony baxsteris hes … ony quheit liand to grynd and will nocht cast on and grynd the samyn
1560 Rolland Seven S. 4833.
Sum castis the tabill to the ground
a1568 Balnavis Bann. MS. 138 b/13.
Cast nocht our oft Ȝour speir in to the reist
a1568 Scott xxxiv. 64.
Ȝe can tak no rest Quhill thay kast vp all four
1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 57.
You, deliuerit of ane wyfe, castis your self in the samyn nette
(b) a1400 Leg. S. xxiii. 269.
He … kist his hud done oure his face
c1420 Wynt. v. 176.
Tha twa wyld bestys … Kest downe amang thare lymmys lawe Thare hedys
a1500 Rauf C. 365.
He kest twa creillis on ane capill
a1500 Henr. Fab. 460.
With that the cok … Kest vp his beik
c1475 Wall. iii. 168.
In fewtir kest a fellone aspre sper The knycht Fenweik
a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 950.
The scheld in counter he kest our his cleir weid
1492 Myll Spect. 294/23.
Alsone as this ȝoung squyer kest his speir in to his reist to ryn
1513 Doug. ii. i. 26.
Al thai of Troy … Kest vp the portis
Ib. vii. Prol. 95.
I … kest on clathis thryn fald
1531 Bell. Boece II. 298.
Than the king kest abak his handis
1533 Gau 60/13.
He keist hime in to presone vnto he suld pay it
c1550 Rolland C. Venus iv. i.
First doun thay kest Moyses Pentateuchon
a1540 Freiris Berw. 349.
Than sat he doun, and kest abak his hude
1560 Rolland Seven S. 5009.
Sa at schort that image doun he kest
1574 St. A. Kirk S. 398.
[He] keist her down by the way
a1578 Pitsc. I. 104/18.
Sua … he caist him [self] in the kingis gait
1581 Bann. Memor. 336.
The vther tua … kaist vp the windowis
c1650 Spalding I. 151.
[The] regentis … kest wp the colledge yettis
(e) a1578 Pitsc. I. 26/10.
The gouernour … tuik him with his brother and cust thame baith in presoune
1600-1610 Melvill 259.
The hors … cust down his head, … and his heid going down, he lopes the supersault
1602 Shetland Sheriff Ct. 1 b.
The said Dauid … kwist hir doun and hett hir thrie straikis
1629 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. III. 229.
He … kuist her backeward to the ground
1633 Orkney Bp. Ct. 86 b.
He also melted lead and cust it throw the bowles of ane pair of cheiris thrie sindrie tymes
1648 Peebles B. Rec. 385.
That Thomas Moses cuist John Cleg bak over
(c) c1420 Wynt. iv. 84.
That all the glut … In tymys mycht be castyne downe
a1500 Seven S. 441.
The barnis credill was cassyn owre
c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 23.
With curches, cassin thame abone
1533 Bell. Livy I. 17/25.
Scho … was cassin in presoun, quhare scho sone eftir decessit
1562-3 Winȝet I. 75/14.
Euin thame quha had … cassin out deuilis in His name
1570 Leslie 179.
The hoill christellingis suddantlie was cassin doun to the eird and brokin
a1586 Lindesay MS. 40 b.
The aith beand takin and the cot [= coat] castin on
1600 Hamilton Facile Tr. 45.
Gif King Ozias … died miserablie, cassin out of the hous of the lord
c1650 Spalding I. 158.
Yettis are cassin wp, in gois thir covenanteris

b. fig. To put or bring in; to introduce. 1579 Perth Kirk S. 238.
The said Peter to bring his witnesses to prove his libel casten in
1618 Misc Spald. C. II. 161.
New disturbances were cassin in to reuerse all that wes done in the conference

3. To throw off, discard, get rid of. 1375 Barb. xvi. 601.
With that he kest of his chemer
a1540 Freiris Berw. 228.
Scho castis of haill hir fresch array
a1568 Scott ii. 84.
Thay raikit baith to rest … And of thair armour kest
1570 Sat. P. xv. 38.
Ȝe plesand paun & papingaw Cast of ȝour blyithlyke cullour
a1585 Maitl. Q. lxxvi. 20.
Tak on thairfoir thy doulfull weid, Cast of thy proud & staitlie hewis
c1600 Montg. Suppl. 218. xxi. 9.
With that me thocht hir nicht-gowne of sche cuist
1609 Hume 177/410.
Considering the yoke … of the Roman Antichryst is cassin of

4. To cast out of the body, esp. at the mouth; to vomit. Also absol. a1400 Leg. S. ii. 771.
A fowle padow at the laste, He keste, that wes laythe to se
c1420 Wynt. v. 622.
Owt at his mouth thai gert hym cast That paddog with a blob off blude
1456 Hay II. 124/15.
Tak a vomyt of water and vinager, or othir wayis to ger thé cast
a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 462.
Thow spewit, and kest out mony a lathly lomp
1540 Lynd. Sat. 4355 (B).
Scho ȝeild … at baith the endis Till scho had cassin [Ch. castin] a cuppill of quartis
a1586 Lindesay MS. 30 b.
Scho castis furth the watter that scho swalleis

5. To throw down, off, or away. c1420 Wynt. i. 340.
Coryne … had grete lykyng To cast thai carlys in werslyng
1456 Hay I. 262/3.
Gif … a man … will cast his gage of bataill
1531 Bell. Boece II. 355.
Ane Norman … had sic craft in wersling, that he kest all men that assailyeit him
1533 Boece ix. iv. 293 b.
Thay kest harnes and wapynnys in the flycht
a1500 Peblis to Play 176.
My awin grey mair that kest me
a1568 Scott ii. 167.
To ga he wes agast, For he affeird … His cursour suld him cast
a 1700 Bk. Pasquils 271.
Sir Presbyter, ye spur Your speavie mear too fast, … Your covenant she'll cast
fig. c1490 Irland Asl. MS. I. 53/15.
Sanct Peter kest bot litill thing to serf Ihesu, bot he rewardit him richely
a1585 Maitl. Q. lxxv. 15.
For so wes love by blind effectioun cast
1581 Sat. P. xliv. 127.
Rou custe the vsurie hard be the beuch

b. To throw overboard from a vessel. 1467 Acts II. 87/1.
Na gudis vnder the ourlop [are] to scot nor lot with tha gudis in case thai be castin
1508 Treas. Acc. IV. 140.
For certane merchandis … quhilk wes tynt and cassin before Coldinghame
c1575 Balfour Pract. 623.
Gif … mastis be hewin, or gudis be castin, … the ship and gudis sall be taxt at the ship's price
1622-6 Bisset II. 205/23 [= 1467 above].
Gif the samin [gudis] beis cassin

c. To drop (an anchor). Also with doun. 1513 Doug. v. xiv. 92.
Thai … Kest down thar bewchit ankyrris … Into the raid
1570 Leslie 282.
The Inglis shippes come to the raid of Leyth, quhair thay kest thair anckeris
1570-3 Bann. Trans. 426.
He sayis to his wyfe, goe reid whair I caist my first ancre
1596 Dalr. I. 61/28.
Quhair thrie ȝeirs, her anker being castne, sche had stayed
1616 Melrose P. 257.
One of the waughters had caussin anker in thair raid

d. To lose or drop (a shoe). 1504 Treas. Acc. II. 442.
The kingis hors quhilk kest ane scho at the Ballach

e. In passive, of a ship: To be wrecked. 1587-99 Hume vii. 91.
[The ships] sine were cast for all their brags and bost
1653 Edinb. Test. LXVII. 13.
Quhilk schipe was cassine away and lost at Brunteilland herbrie

6. To throw down by demolition.(a) c1420 Wynt. iv. 271.
He … gart cast all the wallys down Off Babilone
Ib. v. 2837.
Thow sall gere cast Downe the templys
1472 Edinb. Chart. 135.
That thai cast doune and remove … housis biggit apon our wal
c1500 Fyve Bestes 315.
In entent to cast the cite dovn
1513 Doug. xi. v. 63.
The assys deip … Down dyd thai cast
1540 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 104.
It salbe leful to the … ballies to cast doun the saidis waist landis
1553 Misc. Wodrow Soc. 147.
Ȝit every man … suld not cast doun the place quhilk he thynkis falteis
(b) c1420 Wynt. iv. 569.
Thare all thare templys he kest downe
Ib. 1414.
The gret byggynys it kest downe
c1515 Asl. MS. I. 243/19.
James the secund kest dovne the castell of Inuerawyne
1531 Bell. Boece I. 123.
Thay kest downe the wallis thairof onto the ground
1551 Hamilton Cat. 92.
God … cuist doune Sodoma and Gomorra … with brontstaine and fyre
1563 Crim. Trials I. i. 431.
[Certain] cietineris of Brechine … crewelly strak and dang thame, … and thaireftir keist thair houssis doune
1570 Leslie 19.
This maister of Craufurd … keist doun mony of thair houses in Angus
Ib. 92.
They … keist doun the barmekine
1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 3.
He … saigeit the castell of Norhame and gat it, quhilk he kest doun
a1578 Pitsc. II. 146/32.
They … passit to the Grayfreiris and Blakfreiris … and caist thame all done
1595–6 Misc. Spald. C. V. 62.
Quhen he keist downe the falds of Cabrastone
(c) c1420 Wynt. ii. 1584.
Eftyr Troyis destructyowne And the cyte castyn downe
Ib. vii. 2450.
The castelle … Wes tretyd to be castyn down
1472 Edinb. Chart. 135.
Housis biggit apon our wal … , the quhilkis ar nedefull to be castin doune
c1475 Wall. v. 485.
Kynclewin was brvnt, brokyn, and castyn doun
c1515 Asl. MS. I. 234/8.
The castell was castin dovn be erll Willam of Douglas
1558 Misc. Wodrow Soc. 145.
As gyff the closure of the wyne-ȝarde be castin doun
1596 Dalr. II. 310/10.
Quhen the Frenchmen haue castne doune the walis
1634 Peebles Gl. 163.
The balk and passage … to be sichtit and castin doun
(b) a1400 Leg. S. v. 301.
That Dyane … suld Cristis kirk … Ger don thru hyr cassine be
c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 1182.
Eftir Troyes distructioun And all the towres cassyn [v.r. cassen] doun
c1500 Fyve Bestes 298.
The tovne of Tyre That was … wtterly distroyit & cassyn dovn
1542 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 111.
Thair said cruvis [sall be] cassin downe and destroyit with all rigour
1560 Rolland Seven S. 5502.
The towre … Was cassin doun … throw wilynes
1572 Sat. P. xxxiii. 191.
I se ȝour tempillis cassin downe and reuin
1595 Orkney Rentals ii. 21.
Ane miln … in Widefurd, … aught to be demolishit and casin down
1614 Misc. Spald. C. V. 218.
Ther houses to be cassin doune
1640 Elgin Rec. I. 268.
The samyn [dike] to be cassin doun and demolischit

b. To fell (timber). 1533 Boece iv. xvi. 151.
Agricola … causit craftismen cast tymmer in the nerrest wod and secretlie jone ane brig

7. To direct (the eyes, look, etc.), esp. up or down. a1400 Leg. S. i. 573.
He with that kist vpe the sicht
1456 Hay II. 45/24.
Sa dois the stelin hat [ger] the knycht cast doune his eyne
a1500 Henr. III. 127/5.
On cais I kest on syd myne e
c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 227.
I cast on him a crabbit E
Ib. 454.
So keik I … , and castis kynd lukis To knychtis
1513 Doug. iii. v. 75.
Hyr vissage down scho kest for schame adred
Ib. xii. xi. 124.
His eyn … towart the wallys he kest
a1540 Freiris Berw. 426 (M).
Asyd to him sche caist ane fremmit E
1560 Rolland Seven S. 7480.
The Empreour … , with browis casting doun, Saying to him [etc.]
c1590 Fowler 88/57.
She cwist hir eyes vnto the highest heaven
a1605 Montg. Misc. P. li. 21.
Vpon this nymph fra that scho caist hir ei
1661 Elgin Rec. II. 298.
John Rind confessed that he did kast up hes ey and said it was bloodrune

b. To direct or turn (oneself). Also intr. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 5056.
We mon … Eschew the deip, and cast us to the furde
1570 Leslie Hist. 209.
He turned his course … to cast alongis by the shoire

8. To send out, emit (light, odour, etc.); to throw (a shadow); to send up a shout, etc.(1) c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 39.
The ruby skyes … Kest beriall bemes on emerant bewis grene
1513 Doug. i. iv. 18.
A wod abufe … castis a plesand schaddow our the clewis
Ib. ix. ii. 97.
The tallownyt burdis kest a pikky low
Ib. xii. Prol. 125.
Baith atanys kest fragrant smell
1535 Stewart 32089.
Ane roittin tre, the quhilk siclike caist lycht As dois a sterne
15.. Clar. v. 112.
Of stone and perle the bordour caist ane light
(2) a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 953.
The king vnto Criste kest vp ane cry
1513 Doug. iii. x. 32.
A fellon bray and huge schowt vp he kest

9. To perform by leaping or bounding. c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxvi. 11.
He bad gallandis … kast vp gamountis in the skyis
1529 Lynd. Complaynt 181.
Castand galmoundis, with bendis and beckis
a1605 Montg. Flyt. 509.
While ky kest caprels behind with their heeles

10. To turn over, turn up (a book or passage). c1500 Fyve Bestes 179.
Weile couth he cast the bukis of decres
c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus iii. 927.
Sa the Assise … Kest buikis like beis in all proces of law
1562-3 Winȝet I. 27/10.
Castand vp the bukis of sum auncient Fatheris
1648 Hope Diary 146.
I was … casting up at adventur a chapter to reid

11. To fire (a gun); to strike (a person). 1515 Treas. Acc. V. 47.
To gar mak beil fyris and cast gunnys for novelteis of the triumph
1608 Melrose R. Rec. I. 62.
James Maben deponis he saw him cast hir on the scalpe

II. 12. a. To drop, give birth to. c1420 Wynt. i. 1043.
[The foals] castyn syne are qwyk gangand
1570 Buch. Wr. 31.
To be ane stude to cast ma folis
1571 Elgin Rec. I. 127.
Thow ceist ane barrall of makis furth of the weym; thow castis bot kitlyngis and nocht childeryng

b. intr. Of bees: To throw off a swarm. 1587-99 Hume iii. 150.
Forth of their skepps some raging bees, Lyes out and will not cast
1694 Foulis Acc. Bk. 166.
The wester bee skep did cast this day

13. To take (peats or turf) out of or off the ground by digging.See also dovat, fale, fewall, pete, turf.(a) 1410 Reg. Episc. Brechin I. 30.
Thair aw na man … cast turwis in our foirsaid moir
1461 Peebles B. Rec. 139.
The nychtburris of Pebillis sal haf fredom … to cast turris and pwl hedder
1476 Ib. 177.
To pul hadyr and cast turffis
1509 Prestwick B. Rec. 41.
The said Wilȝame sall cast & wyn xxx crellis of pettis betuex and the next Lammes
1531 Bell. Boece II. 322.
Quhare we … castis scherettis … to sustene our liffis in the winter
1542 Lanark B. Rec. 19.
That na personis kast peittis nor turfis upon the mur bot for meit and fe
1574 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 17.
It sall nocht be lesum to ony freman to cast in the yeir mair nor twa daywerk of turfis
1622-6 Bisset I. 314/16.
Castand his peittis, mawand his medowes, and delfand his eard of the … landis
1644 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 33.
The haill auld toun people did cast thair fewall in the touns commontie
c1650 Spalding I. 201.
Petes and fyre wes veray scars, throw want of seruandis to cast and win thame
1683 Coll. Aberd. & B. 103.
Such of them [sc. peats], as are cast downwards from top to bottom, are … brittle
1698 Maxwell Mem. II. 347.
Having … caused cast my kain peats in the moss properly belonging ... to me
(b) 1516 Fife Sheriff Ct. 42.
Iohnne Forret grauntit … that he keist nocht the turffis be na title of richt
1597 Misc. Spald. C. I. 143.
Thow passit to the lone of Bogloch, and keist a grene truff or scherard
(c) 1495 Liber Aberbr. 289.
The south syd of Balnamonismyr … occupeit be pettis castin be Symon Banerman
1511 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III. 107.
The said induellaris … hes castin batht pettis [and] turffis
1634 Peebles Gleanings 171.
Anent the mairches that our men had castene turfs [on]
1698 Maxwell Mem. II. 348.
To lead away the peats quhich I had casten in my own ground
(b) 1539 Antiq. Aberd. & B. II. 359.
The said [persons] … has … pasturit thair guidis and cassin fewill … quhair nay guids war pasturit nor feuil cassin of before
1588 Lanark B. Rec. 93.
[To] fens and arest all peittis, turves, quhilk ar cassing within the said boundis
1618 Fam. Rose 308.
The men off Inuernes … hes cassin peitts and towrves in our boundis
1652 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 133.
For ewrie load of peitis cassin and to be cassin befoir Michaelmes

b. intr. To engage in digging. 1494 Treas. Acc. I. 249.
Thir ar the expensis and vncostis to the men that kest abowte the schype
1534 Ib. VI. 234.
Payit … to xv men to cast the space of xv tydis about the schip
c1552 Lynd. Mon. 1700.
Thare gret fortres than did thay founde, And kaiste tyll thay gat souer grounde
1601 Aberd. Eccl. Rec. 184.
Thai that wes with him … kist, bot fand na thing
1664 Forbes Baron Ct. 246.
Persons … fund gultie of casting with foot spades … in meadow ground

c. To dig up, excavate; to clean out with the spade.(a) 1497 Treas. Acc. I. 364.
To the monk that castis the gardin
a1585 Maitl. Q. lxviii. 90.
Greit was the work to houke the ground, & thy fundatioun cast
1612 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 324.
Cuntrie men qua leifis thair malingis, and cumis heir to duell, … and castis thair commoun
1656 Peebles B. Rec. II. 35.
The thesaurer to caus cast Edderstoun burne, lying to the commoun loaning
1670 Glasgow Weavers 83.
To John Young for casting the stank and stobing the treds dyck
1670 Elgin Rec. I. 313.
Ane bank to be beat that no persones cast the greines of the cattaills herefter
(b) 1489 Treas. Acc. I. 116.
The men that kest the gayt at the Barwod to the gunnis
1553–4 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 283.
Payit to viij men that kost the lang stank on the syde of the North Loch
(c) c 1563 Reg. Panmure I. xxxii.
For that caws the mwr of Bathil … was not castine
1610 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 313.
The … counsell ordanis the gote betuix the Lytill Grene and the land endis of St. Tenochis croft to be cassin
1657 Lanark B. Rec. 159.
The counsell appoyntis the welheid to be cassin and set about with stanes or staikes
1669 Aberd. Chart. 271.
The saids calseys are presentlie to be repaired and the ditches casten

d. To form (a trench, etc.) by digging.(a, b) 1513 Treas. Acc. IV. 464.
To Robert Jameson, to cast the greit schippis dok in the Dublar
1533 Boece vii. ii. 223 b.
Thai war commandit to cast ane brade and profound foussy
1541 Elgin Rec. I. 64.
Mr Thomas Gaderar, … complenit vpon Robert Mawar for cassin ane stank upon ane taill pertynyng to the said Mr Thomas
(b) 1573 Sat. P. xxxix. 79.
Jacques Gelliam, … The gabiounes makand, kaist the trinschis neir
1611 Crim. Trials III. 131.
Taking ane spaid and schule, [he] caist hollis in the sand to have buried him
1613 Mun. Univ. Glasg. III. 564.
To Iohn Smith and twa men … that cuist and laid the sink fyve dayis
c1650 Spalding I. 142.
Nixt they began to cast ditches … and keist deip ditches … about the hill
(c) 1535 Stewart 20601.
With fowseis braid … That cassin war that tyme on euerilk syde
a1540 Freiris Berw. 10.
It is wallit weill abowt with stane, And dowbill stankis castin mony ane
1580 Rep. Milne Home MSS. 51 (see Cast n.1 7). 1621 Acts IV. 632/2.
It wilbe necessour for the convoying of the said water that seuchis and ditches be cassin
1676 Glasgow B. Rec. III. 224 (see Cast n.1 7). 1689 Rec. Old Aberd. I. 149.
That for the right improveing of the said moss ther be ane stank casten

e. To furnish (with a ditch) by digging. 1617 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV. 686.
That littill peice of land … stankit about and castin with ane stank

14. To take in (grain) from the field; to house. 1479 Acta Aud. 94/2.
Vmfray Murray … tuk, intromettit withall and kest in a stak of beire and had away the sammyn
1573 Prot. Bk. G. Grote 87.
[That he should] cast in [his corn in due time]
1581 Edinb. Test. IX. 192.
I leue to the laird of Newhall … foure bollis quheit to be takin vp quhen it is castin in
1585 Reg. Privy C. IV. 38.
The saids Robert and his brethir … cuist in ane peis stak standing in the barneyaird thairof

b. To thresh or winnow (grain); to turn over in order to air. 1511 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III. 106.
I haue castin of aitis als mekill as is ane chalder of meile
c1650 Spalding I. 81.
The cornes weill stakit began to mothe and rot whill they war cassin over agane

15. To draw out; to arrange or form; to cast on (a knot, etc.); to carry out. c1450-2 Howlat 417.
Ane [scheld] … I beheld … Quhilk cassyn be cognoscence quarterly was
a1500 Henr. Fab. 1512.
The pepill … kest ane range on raw the woid within
c1590 Fowler 311/10.
The plouers … cuist there furrous long
a1605 Montg. Flyt. 405 (T).
Nickniven with hir nymphis … Quhais cwnning consistis in casting a clew
a1605 Montg. Son. xxxvii. 7.
I can not chuse; my kinsh is not to cast
1639 Thanes of Cawdor 284.
Ane … squair crinell to be caseine out withe corbellis, seirges, and galconmowthis
1689 Foulis Acc. Bk. 116.
For teaching the bairns to wryt, casting them copies, and squaring ther bookes

16. To cast in a mould. 1496 Treas. Acc. I. 285.
To the man that castis the chameris to the brassin gun
1511 Ib. IV. 278.
To the furnesing and casting of ane gret canoun … cassin this day
1564 Crim. Trials I. 441.
The said Thomas had cassin diuerse vtheris of the saidis irnis
a1578 Pitsc. I. 259/24.
Sewin cannonis … , cassin be Robert Borthik the maister gounar
1587 Edinb. Test. XVIII. 108.
Of brokin siluer cassin and meltit xiiij vnce weycht
1633 Falkirk Par. Rec. I. 78.
That there be ane taxation … to pay the charges of the bell that was casten in Holland
1638 Aberd. Univ. Rec. 410.
That the … sputtis of leid of the kirk be all lifted, of new casting, and laid agane
1650 Peebles B. Rec. 422.
To the boyes that cuist the bulletts for thair expeditioun

17. To face or cover by casting lime, etc. 1624 Ellon Presb. 120.
The walls nather cassin nor set
c1650 Spalding II. 217.
Our minister … kest with lyme that pairt quhair the bak of the alter stood

III. 18. To turn over in the mind; to consider; to devise or plan.(a) c1420 Wynt. vi. 1004.
In till hys thowcht ay wald be cast Efftyr-hend hys statis all
Ib. 1740.
Dame Em … Be slycht gert cast this jwperty
1456 Hay II. 147/32.
Cast all thair counsailis ilkane till othir in thy mynde
c1450 Cr. Deyng 59.
For in the houre of ded the deuill wvll cast mony wrenkis of falsait
a1500 Henr. Fab. 2839.
Ane bodie that hes neid, To help thame self suld mony wayis cast
a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 323.
I rede we cast ws betuene How best is to done
c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 124.
Compasand & castand cacis a thousand, How he sall tak me
1513 Doug. ii. x. 22.
Dreding les the Troianys wald … kast sum way for hir distructioun
a1568 Scott i. 33.
Cast thy consate be counsale of the sage
Ib. xxxiv. 78.
Thay sussy not for schame, Nor castis nocht quhat cumis syne
a1570-86 Maitl. F. clxxvii. 22.
Cast weill thy cours; thow hes ane kittill cure
absol. c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxix. 13.
This warld all ouir I cast about
(b) a1500 Rauf C. 402.
Schir Rolland … in hart kest Quhat that suld betakin
c1475 Wall. xi. 354.
Knawlage to get thai kest a sutell cace
Ib. 792.
Wallange … kest in his entent, Quhat man thar was [etc.]
c1550 Rolland C. Venus iii. 223.
Deianira for Venus saik kest wayis Hir lufe [to] distroy
Id. Seven S. Prol. 57.
I … Kest in my mynd … That she bad me [etc.]

b. To forecast, anticipate. Also intr. a1487 Gud Wyf & D. 99.
Ȝouthede can no perellis cast
c1460 Thewis Wysmen 435.
Thai cast na perell of before
1535 Stewart 16899.
Ȝouthheid no way that can no perrell cast
a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 524.
He sall nevir schaip to sayle the se, That for all perrils castis

c. To reckon up, to count; to estimate or assess. c1420 Wynt. viii. 1441.
Cast all thir generatyownys … Off Brws and Ballyoll
a1497, 15.. Gray MS. vi. 40.
Kingis & knichtis in company Vncountit curiously vp I kest
1517 Fife Sheriff Ct. 68.
At the instance of party the schireffis foirsaid gert cast wp the said inquest … of the quhilkis the names followis
1570 Lanark B. Rec. 50.
Na stent to be cassen quhille the portes be beget
1672 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. III. 490.
To cast the severall shyres their proportiones of the thousand foot appoynted to be raised
1684 Corshill Baron Ct. 168.
The judge ordaines the birlaymen … to cast one the skaith proportionallie
1688 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII. 348 (see Cast n.1 9).

19. To apply (oneself, one's mind, etc.) to something. Also in p.p. c1475 Wall. i. 4.
Our antecessowris … We lat ourslide … And castis ws euir till vthir besynes
a1500 Rauf C. 822.
Thai … renkis … Kest thame with gude will to do vthir skaith
c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 81.
Than suld I cast me to keik in kirk and in markat
1531 Bell. Boece I. 239.
As thay had bene sicker of victory, thay stragulit fra thair fallowis, cassin to spulye
Id. Livy I. 63/13.
He kest [v.r. keist] him to recounsell him agane to the favoure of his pepill
c1550 Rolland C. Venus iii. 233.
Sen thir nimphis of honour To pleis Venus kest all thair appetite
Id. Seven S. 1552.
Ȝow to distroy, he castis him euer mair
Ib. 2063.
Waryit woman that ay castis thy ingyne Thy awin marrow euer to put to pyne
a1568 Scott iii. 4.
Cast ȝow to conqueis luve ane vthir kynd
Ib. 27.
Cast ȝow for to cum ane vthir day
a1578 Pitsc. I. 89/14.
The Erle of Douglas cuist him selff for to be stark aganis the king
Ib. II. 51/18.
The … cardinall cuist his ingyne to get the governour … bound to his counsall
1596 Dalr. II. 396/14.
Scho kaist her to wrake baith France and Scotland with deidlie feid
1622-6 Bisset I. 83/12.
That they may cast thame with all thair intent to observe … the samin [lawes]

b. intr. To set oneself (to do something). c1515 Asl. MS. I. 299/22.
Of the quhilk vij dayis … I cast to commoun
a1500 Doug. K. Hart 21.
For so thai kest thair tyme to occupy
Ib. 82.
With feistis fell … This cumlie court thair King thai kast to keip
a1585 Maitl. Q. lxxx. 15.
Now onlye to reioys thay cast, and sorrowis all forget

20. To put or bring in or into a certain state. Also with pred. adj. as lous, waste. c 1420 Liber Calchou 450.
The venome … castis a man in to the agw
a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 1108.
Than had I cassin in cair mony kene knight
1560 Rolland Seven S. 487.
Ȝe may persaue that thay haue bene … All cassin into curage clene [etc.]
1567 G. Ball. 47.
My conscience kest me euer in cair
1569-73 Bann. Memor. 75.
Which mycht … haue cassin me in dispair
1580-92 James VI Lusus R. 37.
My state can neuer change … Thus castin in my lukelesse lotte
c1600 Montg. Suppl. 205/5.
That I am cassin clene in cair, And confortles
a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI 85.
All the people were cassin sa louse, and were become of sic dissoluit myndis
1614 Highland P. III. 171.
The parrell of these gentilmen, … too rakleslie cassin in that danger
Ib.
To declair … quhow thay ar fallin or casin in this troubill
c1650 Spalding I. 4.
[They] resoluis be force of armes ather to recover thair awin kyndlie possessionis, or vtheruayes to cast the samen waste
1646 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 70.
That the disipline of the kirk was much weakned and almost castin loose
1662 Decis. Lords G. 42.
If they had been forced to pay greater duties, the lands would have been casten waste

21. To cast (a person, etc.) off, away, down, out of some state, relationship, etc. 1456 Hay I. 23/15.
Benait [was] agayne put up, and sone agayn castin down
Ib. I. 294/27.
Quhen the sone of king Salomon … was castin out of his lordschip
Ib. II. 64/10.
All sik folyis … castis men of Goddis grace
c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 214.
Wariand off my weckit kyn, that me away cast To sic a craudoune
1559 Misc. Spald. C. IV. 89.
Nebuchodonozer … wes cassin from his impyre as ane best
1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 45.
Casting of lytill and lytill the Erle of Murray
1580 Hay in Cath. Tr. 65/2.
Gyf all … was compted idolatrie, and thairfore aucht to be castin avay
1619 Misc. Bann. C. I. 202.
Holie days have bein castin out of our kirk
1629 Boyd Last B. 89.
The Lord … neuer coost him off
c1650 Spalding I. 3.
James erll of Moray thair maister had cassin them out of thair kyndlie possessions

b. To throw out or away, free oneself from. 15.. Dunb. App. ix. 34.
Quhairfoir … cast away all cair and cuvatice
Ib. x. 38.
Cast out all cair

22. To cast, direct, or inflict (something) on another. Also with to. 1456 Hay I. 286/31.
And [= if] the ta part cast gage of bataill on the tothir
1492 Myll Spect. 284/24.
This maid … kest sic a delectatioun on to hir fader
a1500 Doug. K. Hart 600.
Natur did mis sic folk apone me cast
a1586 Maitland Hist. Ho. Seton 33.
To the quhilk Hew the said Cristiane cast sic favour that sche wald marye nane vther
1596 Misc. Spald. C. I. 86.
The saidis … , throw thi witchecraft cassin on tham, … drownit tham selffis
1684 Erskine Journal 94.
Any such deed … was casten upon those whose principles led them to disoun the King's authority

23. To cast down, deject (the spirits). c1420 Ratis R. 801.
Quhen sorow gret … castis downe thi spretis
Ib. 807.
Quhill thai ar castin doune

24. To reject or oppose as illegal or improper; to annul. c1500-c1512 Dunb. xiii. 29.
Sum castis summondis, and sum exceptis
c1550 Rolland C. Venus ii. 5.
He him bethocht … to get sum aduocat expert, Wald Venus court retreit, cast, or conuert
a1578 Pitsc. I. 225/20.
Be the pratick and order of Scotland the sowmondis was cassin
1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 11.
The brieve may be cassin, as nulle, and of nane availl
Ib. 89.
Gif he may not cast the breive be any exception
Ib. 104.
He may cast the proces
1678 Red Bk. Grandtully III. 239.
Fentrie's commissione is sustained by the Committee, but many others casten
1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. 529.
To object against a witness in our law, is called to cast a witness, or to set him

25. To show repugnance at something. 1632 Rutherford Lett. (1862) I. 91.
Let your soul … cast at all things and disdain them, except one only
a 1665 Guthrie Serm. 25 (J).
When they have … casten at his ordinances

26. To rake up as a matter of reproach. 1604 Hist. Glasgow (1881) 149.
[No one was] to speak ill of the dead or to cast up their demerits

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