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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.

Plicht, v.¹ Also: plycht, plight. P.p. and p.t. plicht, plycht, plyght; plichtit. [ME. and e.m.E. plihten (c 1205), pliȝten (c 1250), plighten (a 1300), plyght, OE. plihtan, f. pliht danger, damage.] To plight.

a. tr. To engage or pledge (one's troth, faith, etc.).(a) 14.. Acts I. 27/2.
He sall thare tyll plycht his trouth and than sall hafe his punde quyte till hym a1500 Rauf C. 940.
My treuth I thé plicht That [etc.] 1519 Prot. Bk. J. Foular II. 35.
As procuratour forsaid I plicht and gevis thé his faith and trewth a1570-86 Maitl. F. cxxx. 117.
Thairto my treuthe I plycht(b) a1568 Scott ii. 75.
William his vow plicht to the powin(c) 1513 Doug. vi. ix. 175.
Brekand lawte plight [E. plyght] in thar lordys hand

b. spec. With reference to betrothal or marriage.To plicht a mariage, to solemnize a marriage. c1500 Fyve Bestes 165.
And scho agane till him hire treuth plicht To luf him best of ony erdly wicht 1556 Carte Northberwic 72.
I Robert Lawder tak ȝow Jane … to my spousit vyf … and therto I plycht ȝow my trewht — 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 59.
That … infamous adulterie and vyle parricide quhairwith … the bludie mariage was plichtit

c. To engage one's faith (to another). Const. infin. d. To give (something) in pledge. e. To plicht one's hand, to give a solemn promise. —c. c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus iv. 533.
I siclik agane to ȝow dois plicht In time to cum ather do na owtrage —d. 1567 Sat. P. iii. 64.
Sho … said ‘My lord ane taikin I ȝow plycht’ —e. a1568 Bann. MS. 94 a/22.
I … tharto plichtis my hand

f. I plicht (parenthetically), I warrant. — c1450-2 Howlat 904 (A).
He thocht him … As … Counterpalace to the pape our princis I plicht