Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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Dispend, v. Also: dyspend, dispende, despend. [ME. dyspende (1303), dis-, despende, OF. despendre, late L. dēspendere.]

1. tr. To spend, expend (money, goods, etc.). 1375 Barb. ii. 130.
He taucht him siluer to dispend 1375 Ib. xx. 337.
He had … gold ynewch for to dispend [C. despend] a1400 Legends of the Saints xxx. 82.
To that ende He wald gladly his gud dispend a1400 Ib. xliv. 159.
Thi patrimone … Thu has dispendit … One thaim [etc.] c1420 Wynt. v. 1100.
He walde … thare-wpon his gud dispende c1420 Ib. 2384.
The tresore now … All hale I have dyspendyt owte c1460 Wisdom of Solomon 583.
Quhar mekle riches is, thare mone be mony seruandis to dispende thai gudis c1515 Asloan MS I. 181/29.
Thar is nathing tynt that larges dispendis (a1570-86 Dunb.) Maitland Folio MS lxxxvi. 29.
It is all thyn that thow dispendisabsol. ?1438 Alex. ii. 3164.
The lord sould be gude guardonere, And largely gif and dispend

2. To spend, occupy (time, one's life). 1375 Barb. xiii. 456.
Thai dispendit haly that day In spoulȝeing and riches taking c1420 Ratis Raving 1499.
Quha wyl ta gud kep to thar end, That thus wyll al thar lyf dispend a1500 Lancelot of the Laik 2555.
Thir lusty folk thus can thar tyme dispend

3. To render (service); to use, employ. c1420 Wynt. v. 2097.
This serwyce till yhoure Creatoure Wyth gud wyll yhe sulde dispend c1420 Ratis Raving 1762.
For he dispendyt his resone In wycis agan kindly skill c1515 Asloan MS I. 184/21.
Thai ar nobillis that dispendis thair body & gudis in treuth & lawte