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

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Jos(e, v. Also: jeos(e, jeous, joss-. [Var. of Jois v., with normal o for oi.]Freq. coupled with other verbs of similar meaning, esp. bruke.

1. To enjoy the use or possession of, to occupy. a. Lands, property or income. Also absol. 1449 Haddington B. Rec. (Robb) 8 May. 1457 Peebles B. Rec. I. 120.
The sayd Sym na his arris sal noch jos na anwel qwl Wil Bulli termmis lestis Ib. 122.
The said Reche Dekyson jossand that tenement sal geyf his brother Adam … v nobyllis 1465 Liber Dryburgh 278.
Enterand to the said takkis … at … Witsonday next to cum … and safurth broukand and joseand all the said dais … of ther liffis 1473 Reg. Cupar A. I. 172.
To hafe lattyn al our landis of the Coubyre … as the tenandis jeousyt it for the tyme of the confection of this present wryt 1531 Bell. Boece II. 329.
Consuetude was observat in josing of thir landis be Scotland that thay suld be haldin of the King of Ingland 1533 Boece 6 b.
Eftir Arthure deceissing … quhil the j^m xvj ȝere Inglis josit Britan 1555 Glasgow Dioc. Reg. I. 159.
Licence … to marie and to jos the lyvrent of the … land quhilk wes hyr husbandis 1584 Edinb. Test. XIV. 84.
The said Umphray to bruke and jose the haill frie geir during all the dais of his liftyme 1615 Ib. XLIX. 13.
To bruik, jose, occupy, sell and dispone the foirsaidisabsol. 1476 Peebles B. Rec. I. 178.
Als frely as ony malar browkis … vsand and josand … lely and trewly

b. Office, dignity, etc. 1491 Cart. S. Nich. Aberd. I. 258.
The haill ȝer … that he iosit that office of collectoury 1531 Bell. Boece I. 62.
Becaus the crown of Ingland has bene josit with sindry pepill 1533 Boece ix. xix. 340 b.
Eftir he had thre ȝeris josit the kinrik 1560 Rolland Seven S. 9721.
Alexander quha was laitlie deposit, Fra his kingdome the quhilk he suld have iosit

c. To enjoy (rights or privileges). 1473 Reg. Cupar A. I. 166.
The mylnar jeosand and broukand his fredomis and priuilegys as he was wunt 1493 Lindores Abbey 181.
[The burgesses] to hafe voce and jos all priulege as afferis of law 1495 Reg. Cupar A. I. 246.
The said Patrick [etc.] … sal bruke and jos … a priuelege of burgh in barony 1531 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 55.
Quhilkys statutis … to be brukyt and josyt be thame and thair successors of the said craft

2. To have, possess, or obtain. a. Any possession. b. A husband or wife. c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 201.
I wend I iosit a gem, and I hafe [ane] geit gottin 1531 Bell. Boece II. 355.
The king … sufferit hir to jose hir husband as scho desirit