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

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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Pans, Pance, n.¹ [ME. and late ME. paunz (c 1330), paunc (1384–5), paunce (1411), a part of armour, also (once) a belt for the breeches (a 1500), OF. pance: cf. Panch(e n. Cf. late ME. pauncer in same senses. Only Sc. after 1500.]

1. A piece of armour to protect the belly or abdomen. 1429 Acts II. 18/2.
And vthir sympillar … haif hat gorgeat or pesane [etc.] … brest plate pans & legsplentis at the lest 1494 Loutfut MS. 46 a.
Item pance & manches quhilkis salbe knete to the cuirie 1495 Treas. Acc. I. 226.
iij quarteris of satyne to lyne his pans 1496 Ib. 260.
To the Kingis sleiffis and pans of mailȝe, iij quarteris of sattin 1506–7 Ib. III. 251.
Melane fustian to be ane harnes cote and brekis to harnes and panses and mailȝeis 1535 Stewart 4672.
In helme and habrick and hewmont of steill With pissant pans wes maid to lest full weill Ib. 12551.
And pansis proude of plaven plait of pryde Ib. 17007.
In pans and pissen lokkit and weill laist 1540 Acts II. 362/2. 1541 Treas. Acc. VIII. 30.
Gevin to ane Ducheman for twa pyssanis of mailȝe, twa pansis of mailȝe, twa pair of cressenis of mailȝe 1634 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. II. 394.
Ane buffet cot with ane pance

2. A strap or belt ? to suspend the breeches. ?1438 Alex. ii. 8906.
Quhan Alexander hes him tane By the pance [F. par la quiche pendant]