A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1379-1548
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Following, Folowing, vbl. n. Also: followyng, -oving; folowyng, -ouyng. [e.m.E. following, ME. foluing (a 1300).]
1. Pursuing at law; prosecution of a suit or claim. 1379 Douglas Chart. 29.
I wil and grantez that our folowing be nocht herd, as thing of na valu 1453 Stirlings of Keir 226.
I … sal neuermar … mak ony persute, clame, … folowyng, distrobilling, or demand 1489 Acts Lords of Council 101/1.
To preif sufficiently the richt and interesse that thai clame to the said land, sic as he will vse for the folowing of the sammyn land 1548 Melville Chart 86.
Dischargeing … all our iustices … of all calling, following, … adtornaying, poynding [etc.]
2. a. Pursuing, pursuit; b. Continuance. 1386 Rotuli Sc. II. 85/2.
Whasa makes lettyng to silk followyng sall mak asseth for the gudes c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 138.
As folowyng of thys storye Present declare shall sone clerly ?1438 Alex. i. 3060.
I prais far mair his fleyng Than I do all our follouing ?1438 Ib. ii. 2482.
In the mister of lufing Or ellis in the following c1515 Asloan MS I. 172/8.
The perseute and folloving of werteu & gud deidis
3. pl. Thirlage sequels (cf. Followar 2 b.). 1461 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 362.
The forsaide landys … wyth … mylnys, mvlterys & thair folowyngis 1482 Reg. Great S. 318/2.
Unacum molendino de Drummound, cum sucken, following et thirlmulturis et aliis proficuis
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"Following vbl. n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/following>
