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.
Quotation dates: 1375-1590
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Ling, Lyng(e, n.3 [Normal Sc. var., corresp. to ME. lingne (1340), ME. and e.m.E. ligne (14th c.), lygne, late ME. lynye (Prompt. Parv.), OF. lingne, ligne.Frequent (until c 1535) only in sense 2, the usual word for ‘line’ in its various senses being Line n.]
1. A line; a rope, cord or string.See also Gartling and handling Handline. c1450-2 Howlat 365.
Tharwith [sc. the arms of the Empire and of France] lynkit in a lyng, be lerit men approvit, He bure a lyon as lord 1590 Welwod 55.
Sicklike the maister is halden to the marchant for all dammage susteinit aither through evil heising block heckis or lingis
b. (With) sting and ling.(Carried) on rope suspended from a pole (? also, between two poles) resting on the bearers' shoulders (see Sting n. for further examples). 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 110.
The Secretare … was borne up [sc. from Leith to the Castle] with sex workmen with sting and ling, and Mr Robert Maitland haulding vp his heid
2. In or intil (into) also on, a (ane) ling: In a straight line, in a direct course, straight on, directly; straightway, immediately; quickly, speedily, impetuously. Cf. Line n.2 6 c (3).Only in verse, and only in rhyme. 1375 Barb. ii. 417.
With that come gyrdand in a lyng Crystall of Seytoun 1375 Ib. xii. 49.
Than sprent thai sammyn in-till a lyng 1375 Ib. xix. 285.
Than the Lord Douglas in a lyng Raid furth till se thair cummyng 1375 Ib. vi. 560. a1400 Legends of the Saints iv. 298.
Bot quhen the Kinge herd that thinge He gert fele knychtis in a lynge Pryk efter thame a1400 Ib. xii. 267.
Thar-for thane in ane lynge He with Jowis mad syk warmynge That he is master to thame sald For thretty pennys a1400 Ib. 168. c1420 Wynt. (Anon.) viii. 3567, 5994. ?1438 Alex. i. 1028.
Mare than ane bow-schot, on ane lyng, At thair fais thai ruschit ?1438 Ib. 1425, etc.
In ane lyng c1450-2 Howlat 162. a1500 Golagros and Gawane 766.
Schir Oviles, Schir Iwill, in handis war hynt, And to the lufly castell war led in ane lyng a1500 Ib. 858.
Thai layid on in ane ling a1500 Ib. 1261. a1500 Taill of Rauf Coilȝear 426.
Speid thé fast in a ling a1500 Henr. Fab. 2329.
In to ane ling 1513 Doug. vii. xiii. 76.
[They] On far behaldis hir stowt pays in a lyng 1513 Ib. x. viii. 42.
Lyke as ane lyoun … Cummys bradand on the best fast in a lyng 1513 Ib. xiii. iv. 90.
Thir woful citesanys … Ruschand … intill a lyng Baith heir and thar 1513 Ib. v. vi. 120, xii. xii. 218. 1535 Stewart 41387. 1535 Ib. 26065.
Quhilk causit him [the horse] go leip furth in ane ling 1528 Lynd. Dreme 895.
Than Lupis cumis and Lowrance in ane lyng
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"Ling n.3". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/ling_n_3>
