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

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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Se, Sie, v. Also: sei(e, sy(e, see, sea, sey, say, si, sene, seine, seyn(e. P.t. saw(e, sau, sa, saa, schau, schaw, schow, sauch, saugh, seed, sehit. P.p. sen(e, sein(e, seien, seyn(e, seynne, seen(e, seane, sien, sewyn, se. (Also Seid v. phr.) [ME and e.m.E. sen (Orm), i-seon, se (both Layamon), suen (a1310), seeyȝen, seye (both Wyclif). P.t. segh (c1200), saiȝ (c1290), saw (a1300), se (a1400), say (1696). P.p. soȝen (c1250), seȝhenn (Orm), seie (a1310), se (a1375), sayn, seyn (both Chaucer), OE séon (seah, sáwon (sǽᵹon), ᵹe-sewen, MDu. sîen, ON séa.]There is considerable overlap between the senses.

I. tr. 1. To perceive (a person, thing, event, etc.) with the eyes; to be able to see (something); to catch sight of.For further examples of b and c, see E n. 2 (a) and (b).For to se (someone) not a styme, see Styme n.(1) pres. 1375 Barb. x 629.
Wonder myrk wes the nycht Swa that thai off thaim had na sicht … ȝete wes thar ane … that swappyt doun a stane And said, ‘Away, I se ȝow weile'
a1400 Leg. S. xxx 16.
Quhen he [sc. Satan] it [sc. the Cross] seis, than he fleis
?1438 Alex. ii 1770 (see 3 (1) below). c1409-1436 Kingis Q. § 54.
Seis thou noght hire that sittis thé besyde?
1456 Hay II 49/10.
Sa that men that had nede of his help suld se him of fer to draw till him for help
c1460 Wisd. Sol. (STS) 298, 299.
It is bettir to dissir the thing thow seis nocht, that is the joy of hevyne, na the thing thow seis in this warld
1490 Irland Mir. II 143/24.
Quhen I se a thinge as a man syt or stand
1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1853.
For quha thame seing Micht weill considder that thay all sisters being
1513 Doug. i vi 37.
Nane of thi systeris dyd I heir ne se
1549 Compl. 52/1.
Beand on the hede of ane hil, he vil see ane schip farrar on the seye nor he vil see at the fut of the hil
1560 Rolland Seven S. 3250.
The burges said, ‘My pyat can not lie, All that scho seis the treuth scho will tell me’
a1578 Pitsc. I 273/1.
The Lord Home … seand of novyse nether of Inglischemen nor Scottis, depairtit his way
(b) a1578 Pitsc. I 197/3.
This hielandman … sieand … na man to spye him [etc.]
1596 Dalr. I 26/16.
To this fowle the sey is sa natural that gif … sche lycht on the ground quhair the sey sche sies nocht [etc.]
1609 Innes Sketches 514.
Bot remember that I am a true Scottis man vnchengable, for all that I can sie heer [sc. at Whitehall]
1611-57 Mure Early Misc. P. i 18.
His campe was arm'd with horrid night As one quho lothed to sie the light
1611-57 Mure Early Misc. P. ii 9.
Hir schamefast, blusching smyles quho ever sies Must pairt perforce
1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 120.
It would have bein so dark that I could not sy my finger before me
p.t. 1375 Barb. vi 218.
Sa saw he with the monys lycht Schynyng off scheldys
a1400 Leg. S. xxxii 236.
A takine … That me has mad nere out of wit, Sen I on hyre fyrste saw it
?1438 Alex. ii 3234.
All that euer sawe thame, halely Ferleid on thame
a1500 Lanc. 1218.
Sche sauch his brest with al his schowderis bare That bludy war
a1500 Quare Jel. 35.
I saugh among the levis grene A lady
1549 Compl. 67/2.
I entrit in ane onmauen medou … I sau ane erb callit barba aaron
1600–1 State P. (Reg. H.) No. 108/10; 29.
George Lamb … being interrogat giff he saw Johne Lamb … in the toun
1688 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII 246.
Ye wer called ane witch, … quhenever they sau you they wer in use to sean themselves
p.p. 1375 Barb. xvi 368.
To hew Jedwort forrest sa clene That na tre suld thar-in be sene
a1400 Leg. S. xl 457.
& that taknis lestis ȝete, Sene in a stane in that [ilk] stede
c1420 Wynt. vi 1422.
In till Appule … A gret ymage sen wes … Off marbyr
14.. Burgh Laws c. 54 (A).
That … ilk broustar sal doo a takyn of alle without hyr hous thru hyr wndow or the dur at it be sene til all comone of the cunte
1456 Hay I 58/23, 26.
Thare was sene mony evill takenis. … quhen folk schare thair brede … the bred bled als fast as it had bene efter a wound. And efter that was sene a grete flaumbe of fyre in the aire
1596 Dalr. II 387/20.
Than was seine a bleis of fyre, and a comete
1604 Dundonald Par. Rec. 59.
He vald haif lichtit ane visp to haif sein thame
1666 Glasgow B. Rec. III 84.
[The] stra … jorgs wp so that filth and myre is made to be sein in the gutters, quhilk is very loathsome to the beholders
1671 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS 3 May.
Ther dunghills and middings … not to be sein in any pairt of the foirgaite bot altogither to be keeped in the backsydes
(2) 1375 Barb. xii 456.
Now … I se It is the mast ferlyfull sycht That euyre I saw
a1400 Leg. S. vii 817.
& fra thai that sicht sene had, Thai fled away
1513 Doug. ii vii 79.
This dolorus syght Chorebus mycht nocht se, But ruschit with furyus mynd in the melle
1549 Compl. 38/20.
Quhen Titan vas visiand Antepodos, thai consumit for sorrou quhen thai sau ane sycht of his goldin scheaip

b. To se with the (one's) ene, by (one's) sicht, in lit. sense, also, passing into, to have direct experience of. (Cf. 10 below). Also (once) in fig. context. a1400 Leg. S. xi 54.
Fele that with thar ene Bodyly here has me sene
a1400 Leg. S. xxix 894.
Hou blith than wes his chere Quhen he saw thaim with his ene
c1420 Wynt. viii 1238.
Gyff that he Mycht efftyr wyth hys eyne hym se
a1500 Rauf C. 871.
Thow art ane Sarazine, I se be my sicht
c1475 Wall. iv 140.
Thai had leuir haif seyne him with thair eyne, Leyffand in lyff
a1500 Seven S. 2499.
My wyfis wordis I trowit maire Than it I saw with my awn eyne
1533 Gau 29/32.
The wisdome of the corsz is siclik huyd and cane noth be seyne with the fleslie eyne … forquhy it is ane heuinlie secreit thyng quhilk is aluterlie seyne with the eyne of faith
1549 Compl. 15/7.
Thy philosophour suld teche … the thing that he hees seen vitht his een
1567 G. Ball. 79.
Seik thingis abufe that are not seine Nor neuer sall with carnall eine

c. With e (ene, etc.) as subject. 1596 Dalr. I 106/19.
Nathir al menis maniris can thair [sc. bishops'] eyne sie
1622-6 Bisset II 177/21.
Unspeikable maiestie that nather the ee hes sene, the eare hes hard nor any tung or langaig can exprese
1611-57 Mure Sonn. iii 3.
Can oght that my puir eyes hath ewer seine Mak me to hir quho holds my lyfe wnkynd?

d. To behold, see (a person, thing or event) in a dream or vision; to see (a vision). Also absol.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xv 18.
& to ber leile witnes, ewyne Of it he [sc. St. Paul] had sewyn in hewyn, Quhene he wes fellit in the way & thre dais blynd in Damask lay
c1420 Wynt. iv 2603.
Syne he sawe a madyn fayre Apone ane awtere in the ayre
c1409-1436 Kingis Q. § 159.
Before hir [sc. Fortune's] fete … A quhele on quhich … I sye A multitude of folk before myn eye
a1500 Seven S. 1735, 1738.
I se … In a hole wnder the erd weile depe This nycht I haf sene in my slepe Thar lyis … Ane hammere barrell of gold fowe
1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1495.
In that mirrour I micht se at ane sicht The deidis and fatis of euerie eirdlie wicht … Of Lucifer the fall [etc.]
1513 Doug. iii iii 8.
The figuris of our goddis … quhar I lay and slepit nocht Gan to appeir standyng befor myne eyn With ful gret lycht graithly I haue thame seyn
15.. Lichtoun Dreme 46 (B).
Than suddanelie I wolk out throw the plane To see mae farleis that I mycht tell agane
1570 Sat. P. x 26.
We ar cum heir to thé, o wofull wycht To cause thé write that thing thou seis this nycht
c1590 Fowler I 114/55.
Thucicides I lykwyse saw
absol. c1420 Ratis R. 1628.
Quhen men has leuit an hundereth ȝer, Thaim think it bot a dremynge here, And thai have sen in a wysioune
(2) 1456 Hay I 14/27.
Sum part of a visioun, the quhilk Sanct Johne the Ewangelist sawe in the Ile of Pathmos

e. Const. infinitive complement: To see (in reality or in a dream, etc.) (a person or thing) do something; also, to see something happen, be aware of or observe a state of affairs, etc.(1) pres. 1375 Barb. ix 89.
Quhen thai the lord and his menȝe Seys fley
a1400 Leg. S. xvi 498.
I se a lytile ile apere In-to the se
c1409-1436 Kingis Q. § 67.
To sene hir part, and folowe I na myght
a1500 Quare Jel. 101.
To sene from hir lusty eyne auaille The glettering teris
1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 293.
It sufficis vs to se the palice blume
1513 Doug. ii ix 81.
Seand Ilion al byrn
1584 Sempill Sat. P. xlv 920.
Seing his copburde come to nocht, Tua leathering bosses he hes bought
1608 Glasgow B. Rec. I 291.
He … sieis the said Robert McGill tak the said Thomas Patirsoun be the cleuk lap [pr. bap]
p.t. 1375 Barb. ii 317.
The king … Saw thaim cum swa inforcely
?1438 Alex. i 536.
He … sawe ane gud knicht … Licht … vnder ane trie
c1400 Troy-bk. i 561.
He saw one syk a wise The sone eclyps
a1500 Lanc. 816.
And syne hyme self one to the feld can go When that he sauch thar latter batell steir. And the ten thousand cummyne al thei veir
c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 101/31.
Quhen I schau hir sa trimlye dance
c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 147/29 (R).
I sa ane heir in bed oppressit ly
c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 17.
Hir cristall teris I saw hyng on the flouris
c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 50.
I saw approch agayn the orient sky A saill
1560 Rolland Seven S. 4619.
He saw hir change cullour
a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xi 26.
I sau A palice stand before me neir
(b) 1699 A. Watt Hist. Kintore (1865) 28.
Forty years ago he seed the town of Kintore raid their landimueres
p.p. 1375 Barb. ii 379.
Quhen the king his folk has sene Begyn to faile
1375 Barb. iii 346.
Men mycht haiff sene … At leve-takyng the ladyis gret
1375 Barb. vii 458.
And quhen the kingis hund has sene Thai men assailȝe his maister swa [etc.]
?1438 Alex. ii 1665.
Quha had than sene Betys [etc.] … Pas the listis of the toun
c1420 Wynt. viii 6373.
Thai deyd … Rycht as men has sene the swyne De in till Connawche syne
1536 Lynd. Answ. Flyting 58.
Wald God the lady that luffit ȝow best Had sene ȝow thair ly swetterand lyke twa swyne
1572–3 Inverness Rec. I 224.
Banneist ribaldis that … durst nocht be seyne pas of the towne in day lycht
1596 Dalr. I 100/23.
Oft hes he beine seine do it
1680 Brodie Diary 434.
I was raisd al night to have sein him expyr
(2) c1450-2 Howlat 62 (A).
Thus all thir fowlis … has me at feid That be I seyne in thar sicht To luke out on day licht
c1475 Wall. x 834.
The merchandis than saw thaim sa manfulle To fend thaim selff
1596 Dalr. I 59/31.
Geis … quhilkes al ar seine in innumerable draues to flie to thir farthest iles
1604-31 Craig v 8.
Then who shall bee seene, To louk thy dead eine?
c1650 Spalding I 36.
As thir bischopis … past by this crucifix, thay war sein to bow thair knie and bek
c1650 Spalding I 349.
Ane schip … wes sein pitifullie to synk

f. Where the thing seen is expressed by a clause. a1400 Leg. S. xxix 860.
Be Godis macht I saw qu[h]are wild bestis thaim lacht
?1438 Alex. i 893.
Thay raid wisly and in gude array And ilk man can to vther say, ‘Sie that our worship now appeir’; For the wordis richt lykand weir That men speikis of thame that dois weill
a1500 Rauf C. 417.
Sa saw he quhair the Coilȝear come
1535 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 158.
In tyme of bying ve nychtbouris schow that this hors vas crukit [etc.]

g. With object and various complements. Passing into sense 3.(1) 1375 Barb. xi 147.
Quhen the king his ost has sene So gret
c1400 Troy-bk. ii 2127.
Seand in that steid … his gud-brothir deid
c1420 Wynt. i 567.
That ile is sene Wytht gyrs growand ewynlyk grene
a1500 Rauf C. 289.
I se the firmament fair vpon ather syde
a1500 Henr. Fab. 922 (Bann.).
Seand thir beistis at his bidding bown
c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 203.
Quhen the laidis saw thé sa lyk a loun [etc.]
1535 Stewart 44218.
Euerie man in dreid wes of his lyve, Seand the se so furius and enorme
(2) a1538 Abell 99a.
Thre munis wes seyn to githir in the left
(3) 1375 Barb. vii 111.
Thai saw on syd thre men cummand Lik to lycht men & wauerand
c1400 Troy-bk. ii 2259.
The mermadynnis … Seis thaim slepand
c1420 Wynt. vi 1109.
Thare was a byschape … That on a blak hors saw rydand This pape
c1450-2 Howlat 48 (A).
I sawe ane howlat … Lukand the laike throwe
a1500 Henr. Fab. 1743.
‘Se ȝe ȝone churll', quod scho, ‘beȝond ȝone pleuch Fast sawand hemp—lo, se—and linget seid? Ȝone lint will grow [etc.]’
c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 205/41.
And sen thow seyis mony thingis variand, With all thy hart treit bissines and cure
1513 Doug. iv viii 131.
Or lyke Orestes … sung how he … saw the furyis … Sittand in the tempill port
1513 Doug. viii Prol. 118.
And as this leyd at the last lyggand me seys
c1552 Lynd. Mon. 4018.
Seand those lustye ladyis sweit Deand for hunger
1570 Sat. P. xxiv 75.
Quhen ȝe … seis Sogeouris of Berwik brekand vp ȝour kist
a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 447 (W).
I had lever haue ever Ane foull in hand … Nor seand ten fleand Aboue me
1602 Shetland Sheriff Ct. (ed.) 22.
[She] hes wrangouslie grippit ane kuppill … quhairof ane part wes seine burnand in hir hous
c1615 Chron. Kings 9.
His subiectis seing … [him] gewin himself to drukines and licherie, … assemblit [etc.]
1653 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. III 61.
Compeirit Robert Stewart wagobound and enactit himselff newer to be seine wageing but sould imploy him selff in sume lawfull caling
1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 44.
Ther may we sy the wawes peele mel swallowing up wolfes and sheip
(4) 1375 Barb. xi 271.
Quhen he has sene Hys ost assemblit all bedene
1375 Barb. xi 479 (see (5) below). a1400 Leg. S. i 260.
For, quhene twa fechtis, pece sal be Quhen we the tane vincust se
?1438 Alex. ii 499.
Thow sall thame se at morning tyde Heir ludgit
c1400 Troy-bk. ii 1138.
The queyn Saw sleyne Pollycena … So right felly hyre before
c1460 Wisd. Sol. (STS) 447.
I saw fulis set one segis of honore
a1500 Lanc. 3247.
Kyng Valydone, that sauch on such o wys His falowis dangerit with thar ennemys
1494 Loutfut MS 26a.
That he that first bur him in armes … wald be sene cled with fair colouris
1528 Cal. Charters Suppl.
That the forsaydis [marche] stanys may be sen wntrubulyt in tyme to cum
1531 Bell. Boece II 153.
The Scottis, seand the mid battal nakit of the wing, quhare thir Inglismen suld have fochtin … ruschit forthwart
(5) 1375 Barb. ix 621.
And quhen schyr Eduuard and his men Saw thaim in-till sa ewill aray [etc.]
1375 Barb. xi 479.
That the maist ost … Off Crystyndome … Suld be abaysit for to se Thair fayis in-to sic quantite And swa arayit for to fycht
1490 Irland Mir. III 12/13.
And thou se a pur body in perell for mister of mete [etc.]
1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 814.
Dame Propirtie Quhilk … To pouertie gart mak narratioun … That with the kirk scho sulde no more be seine
a1578 Pitsc. I 197/1.
This hielandman … seand the pailȝeoun and nane intill it [etc.]
1592 Edinb. B. Rec. V 63.
That na inhabitants … be sene at ony pastymes or gammis … upoun the Sabboth day

2. absol. and intr. To perceive things by sight; to be so situated as to be able to see things; to have the faculty of sight. Also const. to do (something) and to … see home. Also proverb. and fig.(1) pres. 1375 Barb. ix 583.
Sa thai mycht nocht se thaim by For myst a bowdraucht fullely
a1400 Leg. S. vi 476.
The oy[n]ment of the ee, That helpis men clerly to se
a1400 Leg. S. xii 107.
Judas had oft invy & wald hyme stryk … & … quhen na man mycht se, Thane wald he oyse sic cruelte
a1400 Leg. S. xxxvii 214.
Wrytine men ma fynde That men seand sal be blynde
?1438 Alex. ii 1260.
Ane rich euill fare men suld fle And hait him all that seis with e
c1420 Wynt. v 4944.
Wyth hym twa carlys chargyd was To se and here and bare wytnas
c1420 Wynt. vi 210.
Restoryd yhit till hys state wes he, And be myrakill nevyrtheles He spekand welle, and seand wes
1456 Hay II 162/13.
Thyne eye to se and thyne ere to here with
a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 16.
Throw out the glas hir [sc. the moon's] bemis brast sa fair That I micht se on euerie syde me by; The northin wind had purifyit the air And sched the mistie cloudis fra the sky
c1475 Wall. vi 410.
Armys to juge thow sall neuir graithly se
a1500 Seven S. 1040.
Than at that wyndo was all hir sport To sit and se and luke ourethort
1494 Loutfut MS 31b.
Becaus thai [sc. dolphins] see nocht weil on the ker sid bot on the rycht sid seis appertly
1536 Murray Lyon Hist. Lodge Edinb. 36.
Quhen the day beis schort that he ma nocht se at fif houris in the mornyng
1560 Rolland Seven S. 3660.
The way thay culd not find With all thair craft againe to gar him se
1581 Burne Disput. 132.
To se and to be sene
16.. Hist. Kennedy 45.
The quhilk wes sik ane day of snaw, as the same wes werrie thik of drift, sa that thair wes nane culd seine the lenthe of ane lanse befoir him
1629 Kirkcaldy Presb. 44.
The removeing of the … seat … was for the … ease of the people, for now thairby four scoir women … will be easit both to heir and sie
1669 Glasgow B. Rec. III 115.
The candle or light thei sie with
p.t. a1500 Seven S. 2223.
Quhen thai come furth, clere saw the king
1529 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 101.
Sande Collen … to decerne this ple … this day xv dayis siclyk as he hard and sawe
c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus ii 155.
The ladyis sawe, and suddanelie was effeird
p.p. 1375 Barb. x 596.
I trow mycht thai haiff sene clerly That gat had nocht bene wndretane
proverb. a1598 Ferg. Prov. MS No. 19.
Ane hungrie man sies far
(2) 1574–5 Day-bk. J. Cokburn 7.
Ane candell to se to set on the bandis
1596 Dalr. I 5/24.
The beimes of the sone … the hail nychte ar sein, the space of twa monethis, … in sik brichtnes, that esilie thay may sie to reid and wryte
1671 Dunferm. Coal Acc. 7b.
For halff a pund candell to sie to red the roumes
fig. c1568 Lauder Minor P. iv 22.
Couattyse, That blinds so man that he can no wayis se To cheryse virtew
(3) 1698 Foulis Acc. Bk. 222.
To the lass came up with the bowit to let us see home

3. To comprehend, realise ((the nature of) something) by visual evidence; to understand (a person, his or her behaviour, character, etc.) by his or her appearance; similarly, to understand a situation in this way. Also ellipt.Some quots. may belong in 4.Variously const.(1) ?1438 Alex. ii 1783.
That ȝon be Asaltoun that I sie … Thay fle him all … His worship richt wele we se; We wald se gledly his bounte
1460 Hay Alex. 2184.
King Philip … tumlit to the erde Than Alexander smirkit ane litill we, Said to his men, ‘Se ȝe nocht his folie?'
a1500 Henr. Orph. 110.
Scho [sc. Eurydice] anone fell in a dedly swoun. Seand this cais Proserpyne maid hir bovne
c1475 Wall. vi 31.
Sall neuir man this cowartys in me se
1513 Doug. i iii 96.
Gif thai behald or se Sum man of gret autorite … Thai ces
1551 Hamilton Cat. 255.
Quhen they see unhonest servands thai say that the lord of thai servands is nocht honest … Grant … that men seand our gud conversatioun may loue Thi name
a1568 Bann. MS 34a/52.
Seand thy panis sair wep I wald
a1585 Maitl. Q. 45/80.
Fra wrang … abstein In dreid God ather hyne or heir His vengeance gar on ȝow be sein
c1590 Fowler II 135/11.
His auen armye … whilk seing the intakking and assegeing of Aquilea difficill … seing him … spoyled of al mens favour put him [sc. Maximenus] … to death
1596 Dalr. II 29/11.
Efter this was lang peace betuein Scotl. and Ingland, an ald invie, nochttheles, was ay seine betuein thame. Commounlie quhen thay mett tha strafe quha suld be maist maistir
1608 Bk. Univ. Kirk III 1050.
They could sie no appearance in his lordship of conversioun from his errours
1636 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 145.
I see very few here who kindly fear God
ellipt. a1500 Lanc. 100.
Sche heris not thi wo, nore ȝhit sche seis
c1500 Interl. Droich 122.
Now sen I am suche quantetie Off gyanis cum as ȝe may sie
(2) 1375 Barb. xiii 365.
The castell schyr is at ȝour will Bot cum ȝe in it ȝe sall se That ȝe sall sone assegyt be
a1400 Leg. S. xx 183.
Quhene he [sc. the President] schaw he [sc. St. Blaise] wald nocht Lof his godis
c1450-2 Howlat 68 (A).
I se be my schadowe my schape has the wyte
1456 Hay I 271/3.
For it is to se that the provour has begunnyn his clame ferr ynouche quhen he has … gevyn his gage
a1500 Rauf C. 601.
He saw the king was engreuit
a1500 Seven S. 542.
Off him the baire sone gat a sicht The herd sawe that he chape nocht micht
a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 451.
In to the Katryne thou maid a foule cahute … Apon hir sydis was sene that thou coud schute, Thy dirt clevis till hir towis this twenty yere
c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 215/29 (B).
That evill he gydis ȝone man trewlie, Lo! be his claithis it may be sene
1535 Stewart 49251.
Fortoun befoir quhilk wald nocht on him luke … Syne quhen scho knew his meik obediens [etc.] … agane scho turnit hes hir e And saw he wes so inuynciabill and wycht, Scho [etc.]
1603 Philotus 1223.
I gat, ȝe may sie be my clouris, A deill vnto my dame
(3) 1375 Barb. vii 561.
He saw hyr wncouth
a1400 Leg. S. xxix 341.
For schame that thai poure war sen
c1420 Wynt. v 5279.
And als, inwyus he had bene sene
a1500 Bk. Chess 105.
So quhen this clerk this kingis lyf saw Vicious iniust [etc.]
c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 20/149 (B).
Thairfoir forgif me as Thow hir forgaif That seis my hart as hiris penitent!
c1420 Wynt. ii 1061.
Ethyocles Faucht wytht hys brodyr Polynces, In that intent that bayth ware sene Fechtaris and manslaaris kene
(4) 1570 Sat. P. xvii 147.
To se this realme so dulefully decay
(5) a1400 Leg. S. xvi 436.
For-thi abasit thai var & rad, Quhene thai thame-selfine sav sa sted
a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 300.
Quhan thai saw that mighty sa mouit in his mude
1570 Sat. P. xix 41.
The deuill seand this godly prince sa bent

b. To understand the future implications or possible repercussions of something seen with the eyes. Cf. 12 below. c1610 Melville Mem. 223.
And again, the prudent man seeth the plaig and escheweth it
1611-57 Mure Dido & Æneas ii 120.
At the altars off'ring gifts she spaces … Marking the bowells and the breathing places Of every beast … Which open to her sight; with narrow eyes She gaz'd and guess'd; what all doth boad she sies

c. Said of God, Christ, or the Holy Ghost, with reference to their capacity to see and know everything. c1460 Wisd. Sol. (STS) 244.
Gode in hie hevyne seis and knawis al his dedis
c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 131/4.
God, that … All thing seis and all thing heiris
c1536 Lynd. Compl. Bagsche 167.
He sittis abone that seis all thing
a1586 Maitland Geneal. Setoun 35.
God … quha seis the hairts and intentioun of all creatures
1562-3 Winȝet I 6/22.
He … quha behaldis al ȝour doingis, and seis ȝoure thochtis
a1568 Bann. MS 28a/4.
The Haly Gaist All seing present now and than
a1605 Montg. Sonn. xx 4.
Thair is a Lord above, Quha seis the smallest secreit of ȝour hairts

d. To perceive, apprehend or understand by means of reading. 1375 Barb. i 466.
As men in the bibill seys
c1420 Wynt. v 810.
Be lettrys till hym send He saw … That he wes chosyn empryowre
1490 Irland Mir. I 11/8.
We se and redis that all nobile and worthi kingis … has had thar regime throw thar awine wisdome
1531 Bell. Boece I v.
Quhen ardent lauboure hes addressit me Translait the story of our progenitouris … Quhen we may cleir as in ane mirroure se The furius end … of tirannie
1531 Bell. Boece II 516.
For quhat thing may be mair plesand than to se in this present volume … all the variance of time bygane
1564 St. A. Kirk S. 214.
As may be easely seyn be inspeccion of the sammyn [act]
1638 Baillie I 94.
Receave at (R.) the last supplication given to the marques; ye sie it is pickeand
1686 Dunkeld Presb. I 230.
As may be sien in the said edict

4. To observe (something) mentally, to perceive, apprehend, realise, be or become aware of, (a state, quality, situation, etc.).Variously const.(1) 1375 Barb. vi 353.
Worschip … Has sa gret warnysing of wyt That it all perellis weile gan se
a1400 Leg. S. xxvii 997.
God is mychty to helpe; dred nocht; Quhar man na liklines ma se
a1400 Leg. S. xxxi 162.
He had nocht to say … Agayne his resonnis, al wele seand
a1400 Leg. S. xl 212.
To preche … eraste quhare he schaw maste nede
?1438 Alex. ii 1784 (see 3 (1) above). 1402 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 56.
Matheu bysshape of Glascu [etc.] … [having] sene herd considerit discussit & weyt al euidents resons [etc.]
c1420 Wynt. v 1609.
Till Dioclityanys day: That is, gyff the soume be sene, Ane hundyr wyntyr and sextene
a1500 Henr. Orph. 446.
The serpent stangis: that is dedely syn … than is … oppressit doun To warldly lust all oure affection. Than parfyte reson wepis wondir sare Seand oure appetite thusgate mys-fare
1490 Irland Mir. II 14/21.
And thus we may se the gret wikitnes of the Jowis that has the auld law and prophacy that makis mencioun of Jhesu and trowis nocht in him
1490 Irland Mir. III 3/23.
Tharfor quhar thou seis the ordinaunce of Jhesu … thou suld weill knaw that this thing may nocht be fals
1490 Irland III 14/33.
Tharfor considerand and seand the thingis that ar [etc.]
a1500 Seven S. 859.
Than said he ‘I se na succoure Bot gif we mycht wyn in the tovre’
a1500 Seven S. 1310.
‘Schir,’ said the clerk, ‘suth will be sene’
a1500 Seven S. 1967.
I se thi scaith sa ryf … That I may nother syng nor smyle
1499 Echt-Forbes Chart. 85.
The verite of the said mater be ws ripply considerat … and seyne
1549 Compl. 138/26.
He can nocht see nor persaue his auen vicis
1560 Rolland Seven S. 1297.
Quhen that the king this mater hard and saw He was inflambit with cruell ire
1562-3 Winȝet I 26/27.
Quhen I se the seditioun amangis ȝou and ȝoure citizanis [etc.]
1567 G. Ball. 89.
Quhen my ennemeis seis my fall
1568 Douglas Chart. 265.
My meisteir Mairschall [etc.] … seinge the present danger that they and thair native cuntrethe is in be inwatioun and persuit of George Erle of Hunttlie … hes convenit our selffes
1570 Sempill Sat. P. xii 80.
Thow, gude Lord, that judgis all thingis euin, Seand the perrell that ouer the pepill standis
1571 Sempill Sat. P. xxviii 5.
Bot sen I se na plesure permanabill, Bot as the weid it widderis sone away
1571 Fam. Rose 257.
We were constrenit to yeld, seing the present perill befoir our eis, gif we had refusit
1580 Hume Promine 135.
Thy liuelie licht, o leider laureat! All Christiane men may cleirlie knaw and se
1600 Hamilton Facile Tr. 134.
Wha dois not sie the ineptie and mere folie of this maner of argumenting
a1605 Montg. Misc. P. vi 22.
Nou sie I that I nevir sau afore; Nou knou I that, vhill nou, I nevir kneu
16.. Hist. Kennedy 22.
Fra he seis … the dekay of his hous, he will not leiff
1622-6 Bisset II 243/6.
The maister … suld cast over samekill as he sall see neid
1633 Johnston Diary I 15.
The Lord had visibly lot thé seie his hearing of thy prayer and his admirable love [etc.]
(2) 1375 Barb. i 264.
Ȝe may weile se … How hard a thing that threldome is
1375 Barb. iv 550.
Gyff ȝe se Amang ȝow giff that it speidfull be I will send a man … To spy
a1400 Leg. S. Prol. 86.
Quhen scho saw hou the Jouys ded Vith hyme
?1438 Alex. ii 3660.
For quha is gude freind in laute, At ane myster men may se
1456 Hay I 7/5.
We mon now se how weris … ar first begonnyn
c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 197/28.
Se quhat wirschep wemen suld haif
1513 Doug. iii i 97.
This ilk kyng of Trace, seand how Troy Lossyt his myghtis
1543 Corr. M. Lorraine 42.
He desiris to wit quhow we will haif ws towert this, hes lordschip sall mak it sein platly: first [etc.]
1567 G. Ball. 66.
Now seis thow Lord quhat neid I haif
1587 Waus Corr. 386.
Now ye se your self quhat I am indid sertane of bathe affeill and at hame
1596 Dalr. II 246/20.
Bot se how fragile … is the state and conditioune of man
(3) 1375 Barb. ii 305.
Quhen thai saw thai mycht no mar Towart Meffayn then gan thai far [etc.]
1375 Barb. iv 301.
Now seis thow I maid na gabbing
?1438 Alex. i 2408.
Micht we him rusche, ȝe suld sone se Abak a lytill, at the dys Suld changit be
1456 Hay II 153/37.
Gif thou seis that he grape gredily to thy gudis
1460 Hay Alex. 3023.
Than said the toun, ‘We se thare is bot dede’
1490 Irland Mir. I 87/29.
[Satan] seand that the nature of man … stud in sic a stait [etc.]
c1500 Fyve Bestes 31.
Ȝour effectioun se I weile be this Has blyndit ws
c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 179/45.
I se that makaris amang the laif Playis heir ther pageant, syne gois to graif
1513 Doug. xiii xi 17.
All the faderis of Italy hes se [: thre] … In blyssyt peax my son enioys that land
a1578 Pitsc. I 352/15.
The king sieand that he had dantonitt the northt cuntrie and the yillis thairof … reioyssit
1614 Melrose P. 176.
As for Maister Johne Finlasoune, … man, wyffe and bairne haits him … Bot now seing thay sie me to tak plaine pairte with him, thay ar begune to behauld him
1636 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 145.
I see Christianity is conceived to be more easy and lighter than it is
1644 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 32.
To … furnishe to the said airmy meat, drink [etc.] … quhilk for the tyme they sie cannot be goodlie vndone but prejudice to the toun
1673 Bk. Pasquils 201.
Now I see cleare your malice is great, Fient ane of you I fear, now I see clear
(4) c1400 Troy-bk. ii 1043.
Anthenore that wele gan se Hym of Agamenone to be Impungned
1568 Lyndesay Pref. (STS) 400.
Seand the haill ecclesiasticall estait to be altogidder corrupt
a1578 Pitsc. I 37/9.
That the nobilitie witht the commons of this realme may sie and wnderstand ws to be faithtfull gowernouris
1614 Melrose P. 176 (see (3) above). 1639 Johnston Diary I 410.
That the croun of his glory … might be seien to be plet with the threie links of a visible pouer
(5) c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 149/99.
With gredines I sie this world ourgane
1531 Bell. Boece II 122.
The quene, seand hir self defraudit of the det of matrimony [etc.]
a1578 Pitsc. II 196/6.
The quein and the Erle Bothwell seand the lordis so starklie gadderit aganes thame [etc.]
1630 Justiciary Cases I 145.
Alexr. Hammiltoun … seing him visseit with the said seiknes declairit [etc.]
1631 Red Bk. Menteith II 137.
I sie nothing carvit for me but ludibrie and contempt
(6) 1375 Barb. xv 246.
Falset & gyle Sall all-wayis haif ane iwill ending As weill is sene be this isching
c1420 Ratis R. 434.
As thow may consaif and see
1456 Hay I 102/29.
As men seis, naturaly ilke wilde beste and tame defend the self
c1475 Wall. x 1123.
For thus thow seis he delys myn heretage To Sotheroun part
a1500 Prestis of Peblis 1319.
For as thow seis, watter dois slokkin fyre, Sa do I, Almos deid, the judges ire
c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 61. 1513 Doug. iii v 66. 1596 Dalr. I 86/17.
The ald Britanne language in euerie place [is] worne out, as we se, the Inglise toung is leirned ower all
(7) c1475 Wall. viii 891.
Lettir nor band, ye se, may nocht awaill ws
1560 Rolland Seven S. 3332.
Ȝour wife is not I se for ȝour auaill

b. To perceive, notice, find (an opportunity, advantage, means, etc.).For further, examples see Advantage n., Avantage n.1, Occasio(u)n n.1 (5). 1375 Barb. iv 383.
Thai thocht to hald thaim all prewe Till that thai weill thar poynt mycht se
1375 Barb. vi 353.
Worschip … Has sa gret warnysing of wyt That it all perellis weile gan se And all awantagis that may be
1375 Barb. vii 131.
For thai war fayis to the king And thocht to … duell with him quhill that thai saw Thar poynt [C. tym]
a1400 Leg. S. xxxii 169.
He … bad hyme ga thare-with stracht Til hyre chawmir, quhen he sau poynt
?1438 Alex. i 1498.
Bot and Emynedus the wicht May sie his poynt [etc.]
c1400 Troy-bk. ii 688.
And when that he Saw tyme and oportunyte … He shold than oppyn the closoures
1456 Hay II 154/26.
Syk a man may … ger thé traiste he be thy best frende … quhill he see his tyme to oursett thé
a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 1098 (Asl.).
This was cheif way … That couth be seyne for manly saluacioun
a1578 Pitsc. I 221/2.
Ȝe will murdris him self quhen ȝe sie tyme as ȝe did his father
1594 Grant Chart. 185.
Sy ȝowr moyane to maik me fyeff hondreth markis by then

5. a. To see, have a sight of, view (a person, persons or thing) as a spectator or observer; also, specif. to view or contemplate (an image); to see (God or Christ) in heaven, as the attainment of salvation; to see (a person, God) in the face, face to face. Also ellipt.(1) pres. 1375 Barb. xii 160.
Than all pressyt in-to gret daynte The Erle off Murreff for to se
?1438 Alex. ii 3385, 3392.
‘Cassamus’ said the king … ‘With thé sall thow lede … Of my men that best armyt is' … Than Arreste said ‘ … I wald … Gang se the semble of the fecht' … ‘Schir’ said Perdicas … ‘Lat me ga se that barny … And the thre ladeis … To se thare solace and thare play Is great delyte … And gif I to Effezon ga To se the fecht I vnderta My suerd sall better be [etc.] … ’ The king said ‘ … He that prays me, he sall nocht ga. Thame that I will this poynt [F. aatie (= attack)] sall ma'
?1438 Alex. ii 7909.
Ane great semble thare was sene Thare was ten thousand knychtis kene The nobill king to se thame gais
1456 Hay II 93/21, 22, 23.
And thare suld … all the peple that wald cum to se him cum at thair awin plesaunce to see him, bot thai suld nocht cum nere him bot se him on ferr
?a1500 Dewoit Exerc. 181.
Heirand thai fals wickit folk cry … ‘Cruc[if]y Him … It is till ws a pane to se Him'
1533 Gau 4/10.
Quhay prais to Sanct Christofer and seis his ymage sal notht that day haif aduersite
c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2333.
Seand the image of the rude Men suld remember on the blude Quhilk Christ [etc.]
15.. Clar. iii 226.
Ȝe sall have heir of gold ane diamant, When ȝe it se of me be memorant
1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 87 (see 11 pres. (b) below).ellipt. 1567 G. Ball. 33.
He will thé set in to ane law degre, Syne thé exalt, that euerie man may se
p.t. a1595 Cullen Chron. Aberd. 52.
The fyrst tyme that I … sehit his graice was [etc.]
p.p. ?1438 Alex. ii 7907 (see pres. above). 1456 Hay II 93/16.
Thai ordanyt that he [sc. the king] suld never be sene bot anys in the ȝere
a1487 Gud Wyf & D. 36.
And thouch scho be cled preciously Couat nocht to be seyn for-thi
a1487 Gud Wyf & D. 110.
In strange rewmys [they] fled for schame That durst neuir eftir be seyne at hame
c1490 Porteous Noblenes 181/17 (A).
To the man that is sene and behaldyn be mony men
c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 320.
Traist weill I sall ȝow meit the morne: Beside Montruill, vpon the grene, Befoir ten houris I salbe sene
a1568 Scott i 121.
For sum [sc. people] ar sene at sermonis seme sa halye
a1585 Arbuthnot Maitl. Q. 122/101.
Ȝit dar I not in commoun place be sein Les I be clothit sumquhat gorgeouslie
c1650 Spalding I 141.
James Grant the rebell gettis his peace fra the king, and now beginis to kythe, who durst not be sein since anno 1636 abefoir
c1650 Spalding II 82.
In lyk maner, few or no corbeis sen in either Abirdeines, at the wateris syd … quhair thay wont to flok aboundantlie
(2) a1500 Henr. Fab. 1144.
That heuinlie hall … quhair we may se the face [Bann. sycht] of God
1490 Irland Mir. I 71/5.
Sa sall oure body … haue gret … beatitud in hevin … seyand the blist Sone of God Jhesu in our humanite
a1561 Q. Kennedy Breif Tract. (ed.) 121/31.
In my flesche I sall se God
(3) a1568 Bann. MS p. 18/47.
Ȝour saluatour seing in the face
1662 Forfar Witches in Reliq. Antiq. Sc. 138.
And that she wold know ony witch quhen she sies them in the face

b. To observe, watch; spectate at; witness; participate in (a situation, event, occasion). Also ellipt. or intr. Also fig.Variously const.There is overlap with 1 above to which sense some examples may rather belong.(1) pres. a1400 Leg. S. ii 389.
The hevid than to the fete thai lad And, seand all this grete ferly, A-bowt turnyt the ded body, And with the hewid … festening mad
a1400 Leg. S. xxxiv 130.
To the maste kirk … Quhare the gretaste of the towne Assemlyt to se his sermone
?1438 Alex. ii 3397, 3400 (see a (1) pres. above). c1420 Wynt. viii 5216.
The justyng lestyd dayis thre, Qwhare men apert cowrsis mycht se
a1500 K. Hart 315.
King Hart in till ane previe closet crappe … Swas he micht heir and se … The meikle mirth [etc.]
a1500 Seven S. 1572.
Than for hir modere has scho send And bad hir cum to se hir end
1549 Lamb Resonyng 19/15.
Quhar wes Scotland, the vthir contrary party, the quhilk wes neuer summond nor requirit to se the proponyng and proceding and gevin of sentence vpon this questioun?
1551 Hamilton Cat. 70.
Quha that … heris or seis the mes devotly … can nocht want thair reward
1560 Rolland Seven S. 1756.
Sine efter that past all the nuresis thre The tornament for to behald and se
a1578 Pitsc. I 83/33.
The king sieand this ȝoung gentill mane sa obedientlie intreating his brotheris peace ressaffiit him werie hamlie
a1578 Pitsc. II 170/29.
Thair was command thow the pace of France ten Frinche schipis to supplie the toune of Leytht; the Inglisch schipis seand that went to thame and tuik foure of thame
1652 Johnston Diary II 189.
I was suddenly called by the servants of the house to see the yokings and feyghtings of airmyes in the lift
p.t. 1375 Barb. iii 243.
It ranyt sa hard … The rayne thus lettyt the fechtyn, Sa did it twys thar-efter … . Quhen Hanibal saw this ferly [etc.]
p.p. a1400 Leg. S. xii 330.
For men suld nocht wytnes bere Bot of thinge sene & hard with here
c1420 Wynt. vi 53.
This pape off Rome … Gert a senyhe solempne be sene
a1500 Henr. Fab. 190.
The hartlie cheir, Lord God! geue ȝe had sene Beis kithit quhen thir sisteris twa war met
c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 135/22.
Ane fair processioun … Ressaveit hir … Quhair first the salutatioun honorabilly Of the sweitt Virgin guidlie mycht be seine
1571–2 St. A. Kirk S. 362.
The seat ordenis the proces of Henry Lawmontht to be vesiit and sein
a1578 Pitsc. I 257 h. of ch.
Ane meraikill seine in the kirk of Linlythgow
fig. c1590 Fowler I 69/55.
Thair might be sene within my breist, which all wes set in fyre, A sore conflict
ellipt. or intr. a1500 Henr. Fab. 466.
Ȝour father … wald on his tais stand and craw. This is na le, I stude beside and saw
1513 Doug. iii iv 60.
At down come of thir harpeys Mysenus, the wait, on the hie garet seys And with his trumpet thame a takyn maid
1584 Sempill Sat. P. xlv 1085.
Doun come Cannabie … Vpon his bellie with sic a brattle The houshold … Lychtit candles and came to sie, And fand him lyand [etc.]
(2) 1375 Barb. ii 360.
Men mycht haiff seyn … Knychtis … Wndyr hors feyt defoulyt thar
a1400 Leg. S. v 252.
He tald tham, that he schaw in hell, And [sad]: ‘Wrechis, mend ȝow ȝeit! For ȝour gud angel I saw gret'
1513 Doug. xi vii 175.
Ded corpsis bet down enew haue we seyn
1533 Bell. Livy I 61/27 (see c (1) below). 1560 Rolland Seven S. 4375.
I had greit curage Into ane leische my hound for to se led
1561 Inverness B. Ct. MS 5 July.
The said Thomas Cristeson … seand the said vitnes sworne [etc.]
1562 Inverness Rec. I 78.
To heir and se compt giffin and maid of the saidis James Cuthbertis legasie and testament
1567 Sat. P. vii 36, 43, 50.
To se the king … murdreist, … To se ane monstuire … Abone the rest heich mountit vp in gloir, … To se the quene furth rydand on the plaine Reft lyke ane huire with ruffians
1596 Dalr. I 15/20.
Thair oft may be sene hail lx of fisher botes occupiet in fisheng
1631 Cullen B. Ct. 22 Nov.
Williame Steuisone & Dauid Prat … warnit Mr. George Leslye to comper this day to see the magistrattis chosin and hes not comperit
1688 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII 247.
You came … to Patrick Fergusone … quher he was sieing some persones playing at the pennistone, and did offer him cheise and bread
(3) 1398 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 38.
Qwhar the Kyng of Ingland may send his messages to se hym swere to this trewis
a1500 Bk. Chess 1470.
To se His trew fallow of new to marijt be
a1585 Maitland Maitl. Q. 21/46.
Lat all the warld ȝour proceding sie That thair is fayth and treuth in ȝour countrie
1596 Dalr. II 52/12.
May nocht we weil think abone the nature of man … to sie a woman … to be sa constant and patient
(4) 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1180.
Greit was the preis the feist royall to sene. At eis thay eit with interludis betwene
(5) 15.. Clar. v 2808.
Now am I glaid … My deirrest nevoy that sie now I may Within my realme
1566 Bk. Univ. Kirk I 89.
The tyrants darre no more be sein in lawfull judgment nor darre the howlets in the day light
1571 Events Q. Mary & Jas. VI 65.
If the pepil sau anis a force on our syde, thai wald al lief the advers faction

c. To be a willing spectator of, to witness willingly, to countenance, allow (a harmful or evil circumstance or event). Also proverb.For further examples of here and se in this sense, see Her(e v. 3 (2).(1) 1525 Bk. Carlaverock II 463.
[We] sall nouthir wit, heir, nor se oure said lordis skaith, lak nor dishonestie, bot we sall stop and lett the samyn
1533 Bell. Livy I 61/26.
Haue ȝe sa feirs … cruelte in ȝoure hartis, that ȝe may se him bound vnder the gallous … quhom ȝe saw laitlie decorit & triumphand?
1535 Stewart 32401.
The thing in erth that tha wald erast se, Is oure mischeif and infelicitie
1554 Dundee B. Laws 333.
Ȝe salbe ane obedient and trew servant to ȝour maister and sall nether heir nor sie his skaith … bot shall hinder and stop the same
1580 Douglas Chart. 279.
I … sall never heir, sea, nor wit his skaithe, … bot sall warne him
1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Homagium.
I sal be leill and trew to ȝow [sc. the King of Scotland] … and sall nocht heare ȝour skaith nor see it
(2) 1665 Rothesay B. Rec. 99.
The towne … hes ingadgit thameselffs not to sie the said Niniane Ker baillie loisser in caise he sall be superexpendit
(3) 1549 Compl. 82/15.
There is ane passage in the said beuk, the quilk the Inglismen hes ane ardant desyr to se it cum til effect
a1578 Pitsc. I 21/21.
Wuld God I micht sie ane miserabill mischeiffe to befall thame beith
1605 Melvill 577.
We cannot, with patience, sie thame misken God, his Kirk, and thame selves
proverb. a1578 Pitsc. II 157/13, 14.
I may weill sie my freind neid bot I will not sie him bleid

d. To look at, examine; inspect; scrutinise, in order to assess the condition, situation, state or worth of (a thing, situation, etc.) Also ellipt.pres. 1375 Barb. xvi 27.
He said he wald blythly se Hys brother and se the affer Off that cuntre and off thar wer
1375 Barb. xix 661.
A fyscher quhilum lay Besid a ryver for to get Hys nettis that he had thar set … A nycht his nettis for to se He rase
?1438 Alex. ii 7753.
Thare armour ȝeid thay for to se, To help that nedit for that melle
1475 Edinb. B. Rec. I 31.
Quhilkis sall serche and se all wirkis at the craftismen wirkis, and that it be lelely and treulie done to all biggaris
a1500 Henr. Practysis 19 (see Seid v. phr.). a1500 Seven S. 657.
Gif ȝe desyre that I Heile this child … To gar me se it war na scaith Ȝour watter and the kingis baith
1496–7 Acta Conc. II 63.
Till pas with him to the said ground and consyder and se that debatable land
(b) 15.. Clar. i 115.
Thay … gat him leiches his woundis for to sie
1573–4 E. Loth. Antiq. Soc. VII 72.
James Tuedy to se ane mylnstane in Broxmouth
1610 Breadalbane Lett. 10 Feb.
Send me ane of thir men and I sall do gud will to lat him sie the meir
1626 M. Works Acc. (ed.) II 190.
The maister of wark tuke jorney to Lithgow to sie the pallace
1632 Cullen B. Rec. 27 July.
[Not] to tak in cornes at thair awin hand quhill thai cum first to Johne Hempseid and let him sie the same
1636 Elgin Rec. II 231.
James Gordoun, measone, is desyrit to sie the queir and what he will tak to pathement the same
(c) a1500 Seven S. 651.
His pous, his vryne sone he says And his bodyis extremiteis
ellipt. 1503 Treas. Acc. II 372.
To ane man brocht lxx hurd pennyis to the king to see
1664 Household Bks. Archb. Sharp in Misc. Maitl. C. II 519.
To a man that brought an India gowne for his lordship to sie
p.p. 1387 Edinb. Chart. 35.
At the forsaidys [masons] … sal mak and voute v chapellis … on the maner and the masounry as the voute abovyn Sant Stevinys auter … the qwhylk patronne they haf sene
1458 Perth Guildry p. 1.
A lafe to conten bakin and dry xxiiii vnce and xxvi paste and that to be of gud stufe sen and weyit be the bailȝes
1507 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 112.
That the quheitt be nocht oppinit to sell nor sene before the hour of xj houris in wynter
c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 13/18.
Thair is no leiche ma mak thé haill and sounde Quhill it [sc. the wound] be sene and clengit every deill

e. To have a sight of, look at, inspect, consult, read (a document, letter, etc.); to read (a story, etc.) in (a book, etc.).For further examples of (to) here and (or) se, see Her(e v. 3 (1).(1) pres. 1379 Douglas Chart. 28 (see Her(e v. 3 (1)). 1407 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 65.
Tyll all men that this lettre sall see ore heir we … makis knawen that [etc.]
c1552 Lynd. Mon. 3734.
Daniell … His secund chepture thow maye see Quhow [etc.]
1568 Maxwell Mem. II 132.
Ȝour escheit … I haif lattin ȝour soine sye
1558-66 Knox II 459.
My lord secretour … [promeisit that] he wald wryte, and I sould sey it
1600 Crim. Trials II 250.
Ony man that wald sie it [sc. the letter] come to me, and sie gif thei can knaw his hand-wryt
1612 Orkney & Shetl. Ct. Bk. (ed.) 52.
The said defendar to sie the clame in the mean tyme, to answer peremptorie the said day
p.t. 1375 Barb. i 569.
Quhen the king saw the endentur He wes angry out of mesur
1584 Sempill Sat. P. xlv 520.
His commissione na man saa
p.p. 1389 Liber Melros 449.
Thir lettres sene the qwilk lettres yhe delyuere to thaim again
c1420 Wynt. vii 1846.
That decrete than sene and red
1427 Highland P. II 157.
We charg yhou that thir letters sene but delay yhe recognis in our handis the third part of the lands of Glastir
1440 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV 192.
His clamys richtis proces and his entree be vertu of his proces the quhilkis sene and considerit sal be jugeit [etc.]
1488 Lag Chart. 15.
Delivering this owre letter be you sene and understandit againe to the beirar
1495 Acta Conc. I 398/2, 399/1.
Richtis ressonis & allegacionis togidder with the said inhibicioun at lenth sene hard & vnderstandin the lordis of consale … declaris that for ocht that thai haf ȝit sene [etc.]
1536 Prot. Bk. Thomas Johnsoun 20.
This appunctment and contract to be considerit and seyn be men of law
1543 Facs. Nat. MSS III xxv.
We charge yow straitlie … that incontinent this oure letre sene that ye addres yow to be at ws in Lythquho
1567 Rec. Earld. Orkney 124.
We charge yow, this our precept sein, ye pass … and charge the said Johne Atkin to compeir befoir ws … bringing with him our vther precept … to be sein and considerit be ws and to heir and se the samyn suspendit simpliciter
1580 Hay in Cath. Tr. (STS) 70/12.
Efter thow hes seane and considret thair ansowr … thow sall easelie perceawe quha defendes the rycht caus
1648 Moray Synod 94.
They shal be ordained to separat … and continue soe till ther testimonials of ther mariage be seine and tryed
1671 Rothesay B. Rec. 200.
The baillies and counsell … haveing sein a petitioune … craving tuentie dollers to be lent to thame [etc.]
(2) c1420 Wynt. i Prol. 27.
Fra that I sene hade storis sere In cronnyklys, quhare thai wryttyne were
c1420 Wynt. i 371 h. of ch.
In this chapitere rede and se The Arke, and the Spate of Noe
c1420 Wynt. ii 860.
In the fyrst buk, gyffe that yhe Wele nere the last end rede and se
1490 Irland Mir. III 43/4.
Sanct Thomas of Awqwyne rahersis syndry errouris … in a litle treti … thai may be seyn thar

f. In imperative use. Variously const. Also ellipt. or absol.Also (after L. vidē) used in books to refer the reader to another passage.(1) c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 354.
Se how I cabeld ȝone cout with a kene brydill
c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 142/40.
Go se the birdis how thay sing and dance
1513 Doug. Exclam. 18.
Lo heir he failȝeis, se thar he leys, luyk!
Arundel MS 256/42.
Se thair thy sone, woman
1567 G. Ball. 50.
My saull and lyfe stand up and se Quha lyis in ane cribbe of tre
a1649 Drummond I 128/1.
See, Chloris, how the cloudes Tilte in the azure lists
ellipt. or absol. a1500 Seven S. 305.
Sperit he … how dois my tre The gardynar said go se perchance Tharof ȝe sall tak gret plesance
(2) c1650 Spalding I 213.
Sie moir of Gun befoir, folio 136

g. In Barbour, in the asseverative invocation Sa God (our Lord) me se. 1375 Barb. iii 172.
‘Schyr,’ said he, ‘sa our Lord me se, … it [is] nocht swa'
1375 Barb. v 53.
Sa God me se The fyr wes newyr maid for me
1375 Barb. v 655. 1375 Barb. ix 235.
Thairfor sa God him selff me se I sall othir haiff thaim or thai me

h. To have sight of, visit (a place). ?1438 Alex. ii 3419.
Gif … That thow dar pas … the great riuage And se the touris of the citie
c1475 Wall. vi 757.
The duk [sc. of Lancaster] him [sc. King Edward] tald off all thair jornay haill: His hart for ire bolnyt … Haill he hecht he suld neuyr London se On Wallace deid quhill he rawengit be
c1500-c1512 Dunb. (STS) lxxi 5.
We lordis hes chosin a chiftane mervellus That left hes ws in grit perplexite And him absentis … And nocht intendis the land nor peple se, Faltis to correct
1528 Lynd. Dreme 382.
Quhen we had all thir elementis ouer past That is to saye, erth, walter, air and fyre Upwart we went withouttin ony rest. To se the heuynnis was our maist desyre
1566-70 Buch. Comm. on Virgil Æn. iii 79.
Veneramur Apollinis urbem, salutamus Delon (we did honour to sie it, we said welcome Delos)
a1578 Pitsc. I 240/23.
The Inglis lordis and ladyis that come with hir depairtit nocht … quhill thay had seine and visitit the maist pairt of Scotland

6. To reveal (a fact, etc.). c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 65/52.
Befoir quhair I durst nocht for schame My lufe discure nor tell hir name Now think I wirschep, wer and fame To all the warld that it war sene
1570 Sat. P. xvi 35.
His craftie counsall will be sene Quhen doggs barkis on the midding

7. To ascertain, discover or find out, by inspection, enquiry or trial.For (to) serch and se, see Serch(e v. 9.

a. With simple object. c1400 Troy-bk. i 20.
Strangeres War cummyn for to spye and see The pryvateis of hys kynryk
a1500 Seven S. 1841.
In all that I can se Ane gud ensample thow has tald me
1525 Aberd. B. Rec. I 113 (see b (1) below).
Sey
1570-3 Bann. Trans. 137.
The counsall … send to the captane to sie his mynd about the proclamatione
1585 Haddington B. Rec. (Robb) 8 Oct.
To pas to Kelso to my Lord Bothwell, to se his opinioun & advys in chesing of our saidis magistratis
c1590 Fowler I 190/9.
Belissa faire … Ȝow sene and spyde, my faithe lyk to your hyde, And hathe it tryed, trewe gold

b. With an indirect question as object.(1) 1375 Barb. v 126.
A quhile in Karryk leyndyt he To se quha freynde or fa wald be
c1420 Wynt. i 355.
To se how that this Coryne Walde dele wyth hym in to werslyng
c1420 Wynt. v 1463.
Gert medicynarys … fetchyde be To se and ken quhat malady Trawalyd hys wyff
1456 Hay I 279/31.
The prince suld … se be harraldis … quha had rycht
a1500 Rauf C. 305.
I sall preif the morne … To bring coillis to the Court, to se gif thay sell sall
a1500 Henr. Fab. 1758 (Bann.).
Prudence … That garris a man prowyde befoir and see Quhat guid, quhat evill is likly for to be
1480 Acta Conc. I 62/2.
Charging him to se & knaw gife the said landis be lauchfully peramblit
a1500 Seven S. 1358.
Hewe it [sc. the husband's tree] … And se how he takis it furth
a1500 Seven S. 155. 1525 Aberd. B. Rec. I 113.
The prowest … to mak writtings … to the lordis and men of gud in the cuntra bout thaim, to sey and feill thair minds to thaim and se quhome in thai ma lippin in
1561 St. A. Kirk S. 85.
The superintendent … seand gyf the kyrk wes repared conform to the act of his vesitacion
1596 Dalr. I 287/9.
Heir perfytlie the may be seine throw all his [sc. the king's] vanes, synnounis, banes, how thay naturalie had beine wrocht
1598 Edinb. B. Rec. V 221.
To se at the counsall, gif thai, in name of the toun, wald tak ane part with thame of the lands thairof [sc. of Lewis]
1658 R. Moray Lett. fol. 95.
Seing nothing presses, … it may possibly be some advantage to see if you can be served at home
(b) ?1438 Alex. i 844.
Lait it is to luke and sie Quhidder is better to byde or fle away
1543 Corr. M. Lorraine 34.
And thes is thar hayll commissayon, to sye geyf ve vell mak veyr on Yngland
a1578 Pitsc. II 196/10.
The French ambassadour … quha laubourit betuix thame earnestlie to sie quhat the lordis desyred
1600 Crim. Trials II 250 (see 5 e (1) pres. above). a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xvii 69.
Go slau, and sie vha folouis thee
a1633 Hope Major Pract. I 128.
His debitor … is nowayes oblidged to sie if the partie be inhibit
1654 Old-lore Misc. II ii 110.
Therefore she desyred to sie what they wald give her
(2) c1420 Wynt. ii 694.
To se that land how that it lay, And gyff that it wes eyth to wyn
a1500 Prestis of Peblis 796.
The king bad al the thrie estaits that thay Sould sit doun and sie a ganand way Quhat man in hous war meit with him to dwell
c1500 Fyve Bestes 188.
Of phesik he baire ane vrynale To se thir folk gif thai war seike or hale

c. With noun clause with that. 1456 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 14.
That it sall be sene that he be worthie and sufficient to labour

d. absol. To make enquiries, investigate, consult. 1516 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 38.
The inquest ordanes na xii [d.] ellis to be browne bot to be sald for viii [d.] quhill we se forther
1581 Cal. Sc. P. VI 14.
I was purposed to have banished my self againe and turned my backe upon Scotland while I had sene further

e. To discover (something) by looking about, to espy. 1375 Barb. xix 673.
The fox … Lukyt about sum hole to se

8. To see to it, ensure, take care (that something be done or not done, or that a person fulfil certain requirements).Variously const.(3) may belong in 5 b above.(1) ?1438 Alex. ii 2810.
Se certanely that it be done
1427 Acts II 13/1.
The dekyn … sal … se at the werkmen be cunnande & the werk sufficiande
1456 Hay I 268/1.
Thus aw the lord to kepe the felde [of combat] and se that rycht war done till every part
1456 Montrose Baillie Ct. fol. 6b (11 Feb.).
That it be sene be the said men that ilk man mak sufficiently thar cop & caill bath swmer & winter
c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 13/29.
Se that thi confessour be wys and discreit
a1540 Freiris Berw. 514 (B).
In this place se that thow cum no moir Bot I command thé
1578 Acts III 112/1.
To sie that the saidis kyndlie tennentis be satisfeit for thair kyndnes
1598 Edinb. B. Rec. V 220.
For the gaitt to be keippit betuix the New heavin and the toun throw his lands and to se that it be ane kairt gaitt
1625 Aberd. Council Lett. I 235.
The lordis of his maiesties counsall of ware … being trustit be his maiestie to sei that this his ancient kingdome be weill and substantiouslie provydit
(2) a1500 Henr. Fab. 935.
Se nane pretend to pryde in my presence
a1500 Henr. Fab. 943.
Se neir be twentie mylis quhair I am The kid ga saiflie be the gaittis syde
a1500 Henr. Fab. 1753.
Se we remeid thairfoir furth-with, instante
a1500 Bernardus 125.
Se thow be sobyr ande ber thé, man, ewynli To thi nychbowr
a1500 Seven S. 1294.
The king … bad thaim tak the child agane And se but sudiorn he war slane
a1508 Kennedy Pass. Christ 185.
Josaphe, se thou but mair abaid Pas to thi hame
1560 Rolland Seven S. Schort Schawing 50.
Se on thame thow wirk all iniures
a1568 Scott xxiii 46.
Scho that thé list to luve, Se thow with hir remane
a1585 Arbuthnot Maitl. Q. 98/8.
Forȝet this warldis wratchidnes And sie for it thou mak no mone
(3) 1668 Glasgow B. Rec. III 108.
To goe throw with the said laidlers … and to sie them tak their dew honestlie … that all men may sie the same and to enjoyne them to tak their dewes that way
(4) 1590 Conv. Burghs I 323.
The commissioneris … givis full pouer … to the saidis sevin burrowes to sye the said ordour sett doun and establischit
1597 Stirling B. Rec. I 86.
John Miller [etc.] … to sie the peckis justit with the firlettis
1598 Edinb. B. Rec. V 220.
Alexr. Peirsoun to se the lettre to be maid thairanent be the said brewares … attentiklie subscryvet
1598 Edinb. Masons MS 2b.
That all maisteris … of warkis be verray cairfull to sie thair skaffellis and futegangis surelie sett & placeit
1600 St. A. Kirk S. 923.
The magistratis ar desyrit to sie hir jokit
1601 Misc. Bann. C. II 232.
That thai sie his haill guidis and geir … maid pennie of, for the guid and thankfull payment of his creditouris
1606 (16 … ) Dundee B. Laws 136.
To se the same [inventory] input in the common gild kist
1634 Maxwell Mem. II 254.
I most intreat you … to help my brother to si the hous hansumlie drest and provyded against my homcuming
1642 Rothes P. MS.
I was sieing the maynes of Leslie sown
1667 Rothesay B. Rec. 138.
Mungow Gray and Niniane Allan … to prosecute the said bussines and to sie the merchis cleirit
1672 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 142.
To goe to John Ewart … and sie him payit of the sowme of fyve pund Scots
(5) c1460 Thewis Gud Women 104.
Gif sche be in Godys band Se euir honore to hir husband
(6) a1500 Sir Eger 2249.
Ye must these steeds both look and see And for to govern them and me

b. With simple object: To see to, arrange for. 1584 Edinb. Test. XIV 162.
I mak … my bruther sone … my varay vndoutit assignay to tuentie tua pundis money … and ordinis Andro Broun … to se the ingetting thairof

c. To see to the needs of, attend to, care for.a1500 Sir Eger 2249 (see 8 (6) above). a1500 K. Hart 237.
Scho … Delyuerit him deme Bewtie vnto sene [: quene, wene] His wound to wesche [etc.]

9. To regard, judge, deem (a possible course of action, a place) as appropriate, necessary, suitable, etc.(1) 1398 Acts I 210/2.
It is sene to the consail maste expedient that the Duc of Rothesay be the kyngis lieutenande
1457 Acts II 48/2.
In the place quhar the chekar is haldin or ony vther place sene speidfull
1466 Reg. Dunferm. 356.
To mak a mylne within my said grunde … giff it be sene spedfull till ws
1473 Reg. Cupar A. I 178.
Rychswa the myl to be fychit gif it be sein to ws profitabile fra the place it standis up [etc.]
1481 Antiq. Aberd. & B. II 331.
It sall be … reformit als oft as it be seyne spedfull or nedfull to the forsaide parteis be fulfillit
1482 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 501.
Als oft as is sene neidful
1489 Wemyss Chart. II 113.
Becaus al … the landis before wrytyne are seyne maire ewys and profitable … herfore [etc.]
1505 Liber Aberbr. II 356.
With ful power to follow ande persev … befoir quhatsumeuir iuge or iugis it be seyn speidful
1551 Hamilton Cat. 83.
Sum tyme God Almychty for sum causis sein to him expedient giffis to gud barnis bot schort dais
(2) 1473 Reg. Cupar A. I 182.
It is seyn to the abbot and the conuent for al pairtis that the town stand vnpairtyt as it standis
(3) 1615 Edinb. Test. XLVIII 217.
All vther thingis belanging to thame to be imployit … as he sies meitest

10. To meet with, encounter, come across (a person, thing or quality) as part of one's personal experience or observation; to experience (an event, etc.). Also transf.Freq. in context of the best or worst example of the thing encountered.(1) pres. a1400 Leg. S. xxix 32.
Happyn man is he That, befor he thire taknis [of old age] se, … wil … in gud lasare mend his syne
?1438 Alex. ii 1427.
Quha seis gude the gude suld cone
c1460 Consail Vys Man 16.
How suld thou leir bot at thou seis?
a1500 Lanc. 3323.
Who lykith, he may retwrn aȝayne Frome qwhens we come, merwalis for to see, That in his tyme neuer sich sauch hee
c1475 Wall. i 132.
God ches the tyme Margretis ayr till see!
c1475 Wall. viii 475.
Starkar he was, gyff thai suld battaill seyn, For he befor had in gud jornays beyn
c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 100/7.
A mirrear dance mycht na man see
1551 Hamilton Cat. 4.
Quhat trew Christin hart will nocht be discontent … to se sa mony sectis of doctrine [etc.] … as we se daily amangis the Christin people?
1567 Sat. P. iii 5.
That euer I sould byde to se that day!
a1570-86 Dunb. Maitl. F. 63/38.
The bakstar sayis … That better breid did na man se
p.t. 1375 Barb. xviii 284.
This is the derrest best that I Saw euer ȝeit
c1400 Troy-bk. i 338.
Mare crafty [sc. stairs] saw thai neuir nane
1490 Irland Mir. II 31/8.
For he [sc. the Devil] saw neuir befor sic a man for in na maner of way he mycht neuir wincus him
1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 112.
Saw neuer man so faynt a leuand wicht
1535 Stewart 220.
Sen he wes borne ȝit saw he neuir a deill Ane man he thocht wes liklie to do weill
1535 Stewart 48041.
The Scottismen the quhilk that saw that day
1549 Compl. 14/1.
I sau neuyr sa grite ane fule
1549 Compl. 14/29, 31.
Thy philosophour … sau neuyr the iunyng of ane battel … he sau neuyr the array of men of veyr brokyn
a1568 Bann. MS 134a/27.
Quha saw evir the maikis of ȝow?
p.p. 1375 Barb. xvi 179.
In all the wer off Irland Sa hard a fechting wes nocht sene
a1400 Leg. S. xxx 752.
A bede … Sa mychty fare & preciuse That sic wes neuir sene in house
c1420 Wynt. ii 1187.
That never yhit, as I harde say, Sa lang a day wes sene beforne
1533 Boece 177b.
In oure tyme diuers bukis of medicine ar sene be him [sc. Galen] intitulit
a1540 Freiris Berw. 392 (M).
Quha hard euir of sic ane farlie sene
15.. Christis Kirk 1 (M).
Was never in Scotland hard nor sene Sic dansing nor deray
15.. Dum Wyf 87.
Had thow don as I bad Or now thow sould haue seine Weill temperet toung betwene
a1586 Maitland Geneal. Setoun 11.
Or be the reherse of honorable men … or els the things I have hard or sein in my awin tyme
1567 Sat. P. vi 144.
Sa lang as men sall on the earth be seine
1558-66 Knox II 381.
Such styncken pryde of wemen as was sein at that parliament, was never sein befoir in Scotland
c1550-c1580 Art of Music 5.
Nummeris … schawand the valour and quantatie of ewerrie figur be signis and taknis oftin sein
a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 745 (W).
Thair is na boundis bot I haif bene, … Nor secreit thing bot I haif sene, That he or ony did
1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 2.
Beauveaus, wheir is the most magnificent church I had ever then sien
1666 Laing MSS 354.
I … sal intret vhat comisheons ar not yit sent … may be sent; for as yit I have sien noin bot thois I broight with me
transf. 1513 Doug. xii xi 65.
Sall evir this grund behald or se [L. haec terra videbit] sik lak That I sall fle
(2) 1614 Aberd. Council Lett. I 121.
Albeit in these our dayis, qho hes sein better, the spunkis of former tymes will be still glauming
1634 Maxwell Mem. II 251.
Owr condition heir will serve ws for an afpwtting till we sie a better

b. With participial complement. Also ellipt., in parenthesis. ?1438 Alex. i 466.
Bot he vs helpe … He sall not sie vs on lyfe leuand
1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 1057.
Nor se thar bastardis ouirthort the cuntre blawin
1567 G. Ball. 206.
To se Goddis word downe smorit
1607 Facs. Nat. MSS III lxxxvi.
And seing this present taxatioun grantit vpoun this realme
ellipt. 1490 Irland Mir. I 84/18.
Adam … and his ofspring suld tyne the heretage, as we se commonly done for cryme of lese maieste committit

c. With object and infinitive: To observe, be aware of, experience (a person doing something, or a thing happening).(1) c1420 Ratis R. 1557.
Quhai wyll tak gud kep to this taill Has sen fal thus and eftir sall
a1500 Rauf C. 944.
I haue Cristin men sene … Full oft on him cry
1559–60 St. A. Kirk S. 21.
He knawis nathing … except that he seis Alexander Rudeman haunt to the hows of Elizabeth Gedde
a1561 Q. Kennedy Breif Tract. (ed.) 126/28.
[The Jews] lenit to the jugement of the flesche, … seand our saluiour efter ane pwir and simpil maner vse daly among theme
1567 G. Ball. 98.
Sum tyme a tyrane flureis haif I sene Lyke lawre tre
c1568 Campbell Love-Lett. Mary (1824) App. 24.
Haif ye not desyr to lauche, to sie me lie sa weill, at the leist, to dissemble so weill, and to tell hym the treuth betwix handis
1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 3.
And scho thocht nathing sa lang as to se the mater come to straikis
(2) 1560 Rolland Seven S. 3956.
Ȝe sall se the day approche richt neir That he sall speik

d. passive. (It (the truth), etc.) is sene (that), it is (generally) observed (from personal experience, etc.) that, etc. c1475 Wall. i 6.
Till honour ennymyis is our haile entent It has beyne seyne in thir tymys bywent
c1475 Wall. viii 1141.
Gret fawour will off fortoun till him fall Anent wemen is seyne in mony place
c1475 Wall. viii 1406.
And verite war seyn, That ye me luffyt, I awcht yow luff agayn
a1500 Seven S. 2713.
I am ȝour son the quhilk that ȝe Forsuth kest in to the se, Now it is sene as I couth tell [etc.]
a1568 Bell. Bann. MS 3a/141.
It wes nocht sene afoir … Ane chyld to be of ony woman boir Hir bosum clene withowttin mannis seid
1549 Compl. 130/34.
It is rycht seyndil sene that he eschapis the deitht
? a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. 442/39.
For mony tymes it may be sein That sick thingis cumis for the best
1596 Dalr. I 40/19.
Afor xx ȝeirs was neuir seine that fisheris vset to frequent Loch Brune

11. To visit or be visited by (someone); to meet (by) arrangement, and (by implication) spend time with.pres. 1375 Barb. viii 132.
Giff he [sc. King Robert] Durst him [sc. Sir Aymer] in-to the planys se He suld … Cum wndyr Lowdoun hill … & giff that he wald meyt him thar [etc.]
1375 Barb. xvi 26 (see 5 d pres. above). a1400 Leg. S. xviii 286.
Fadyr, quhat has … brocht thé A synful woman for to se?
c1420 Wynt. ii 545.
Jacob, … Hys son Joseph for to se In Egypt pasd wytht his menyhe
c1450-2 Howlat 96 (A).
On kneis he fell Said … I am richt rad For to behald ȝour halynes … I may nocht suffys to se ȝour sanctitud sad
1456 Hay I 146/6.
Gif a man of armes … askis leve … to pas hame to his wyf and his barnis, to see and visyte thame
a1500 Sir Eger 540.
It was more then dayes three Ere his own love came him to see
1540 Lynd. Sat. 130.
He said he wald gang see Fair lady Sensualitie
a1568 Scott xviii 15.
Sall I nevir mirry be, Vnto the tyme I se My sweit agane
1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 10.
Because the maist part of the countrey will be glaid to se thair bairnis … thair may be gevin sum vacans [sc. from the university of St. Andrews] on to the first day of October
c1580 Lett. Q. Mary in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. App. viii 9.
For Gods seek tak hid to him and see him offt
1627 Aberd. Council Lett. I 272.
If I var not … to cum to court I sould sei you and gif you my best advyse
1604-31 Craig v 9.
Thou wouldst despare to see her That so lightlies thee
1639 Johnston Diary I 406.
Margret Mitchel was in landwert seing hir guidame
(b) 1630 Bk. Carlaverock II 120.
[He] sayes to me he is to sye you schortlie
c1633–7 Innes Sketches 370.
I long weri much to sie yow
1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 87.
They cause any other of quality that comes to sy them be conveyed thorow their stables to sy their horses [etc.]
1666 Laing MSS 349.
And when I told Sinkler that he had not comision to sie you, as hee said, hee winderd at it
p.t. 1456 Hay I 77/16
Sum lufis, and sawe never bot herd speke of ane othir
c1475 Wall. ii 424.
Quhill he him saw, in hart he thocht full lang
p.p. 1375 Barb. iii 548.
The king then … speryt … How thai sen he thaim seyne had farne

12. To foresee. Cf. 3 b. 1375 Barb. iv 680.
Off him that all thing euermar Seys in his presciens
1375 Barb. v 503.
Thai maid him mony tyme warnyng Quhen that thai his tynsaill mycht se
?1438 Alex. i 601.
Ȝe se weill that ȝour dede is neir
?1438 Alex. ii 4988.
His end he seis approchand fast
a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 810 (Asl.).
The gret perplexite Of synnaris seand thaim self in sic assay
a1585 Maitland Maitl. Q. 26/1.
In this new ȝeir I sie bot weir Na caus to sing
a1585 Arbuthnot Maitl. Q. 125/187.
I feill the woe and can not sie releif

13. a. (To) lat se, to display, reveal, show, demonstrate (something, that something is the case, something to be the case, etc.), in senses 1, 4 and 5 above. b. Lat (us) se, preceding a question, or parenthetically, in sense 7 b.For further examples see Lat v.1 8 d and 9 c.a. (1) ?1438 Alex. ii 3274.
And the nobill humilite That he begouth, he leit him se
c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 61/54.
He … Wald no thing frustir put nor lat be sene In to his creature of his awin making
1596 Dalr. I 7/31.
Nathir schawes furth Britannie all that it hes at the first face, nor lattis all sie at the first sichte, for mony hidd thesauris sche hes
1600 Crim. Trials II 198.
How dois his maiestie? Lat ws sie his face
1581 Hamilton Facile Tr. in Cath. Tr. (STS) 222/27.
To lat yow sie in what danger ye stand, professand a pretendit religion
(2) a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. 29/41.
Lat it be sein in to the burrowis toun That [etc.]
b. a1500 Rauf C. 525.
Lat se how we may disseuer with sobernes aneuch
c1475 Wall. viii 1040.
Quha hewis best off this forest lat se
a1500 Prestis of Peblis 1287.
This secund freind, lat se, quhome will we call
c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 150/13.
‘Lat se,’ quod he, ‘Now quha begynnis’
1513 Doug. x ii 15.
Lat se for all this gyf that anys in sport To leif hys strenthis we dyd hym exhort
a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 1093 (Wr.).
Where yee were sent for, let us see Who would be welcomer than wee?

14. As the gerundial infinitive, preceded by an adjective or noun, in senses 1 and 5 above: (Fare, pitt, etc.) (for) to se, also to be sene.(1) a1400 Leg. S. ii 771.
A fowle padow … that wes laythe to se
a1400 Leg. S. xix 26.
Oure hal he Of fasone ferlyful was to se
?1438 Alex. ii 3710.
Thay war full fare to se with sicht
a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 314.
With rapis of rede gold, riale to see
a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 373. a1500 Bk. Chess 1536.
Deformit was his face to se
1513 Doug. i vii 34.
Thar [sc. bees'] labour is bissy and fervent forto se
1535 Stewart 12960. c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus i 82. 1576 Crim. Trials I ii 53.
The men [sc. in Ayrshire] wer cled in gentilmennis clething, and the wemene had all plaiddis round about thame, and wer verrie semelie lyke to se
1587-99 Hume 54/75.
The forme of forths inuincible to se … Demolist all
(b) c1400 Troy-bk. ii 206 (C).
O thyng full mekill wirteous And for to seyne ryght precious
a1500 Rauf C. 677.
Circulit with siluer semely to sene
c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 143.
The party was so plesand for to sene
15.. Clar. ii 1720.
The sex fair virgins, … Of plesant bewtie angellyk to seine
(c) a1500 Henr. Bludy Serk 64.
In all the warld was thair a wicht So peteous for to sy?
c1590 Fowler I 77/11.
A wounder great it wes to sie … The armes, the bow, the shafts of lowe for to ly brokned thair
(2) 1460 Hay Alex. 2752.
Thay maid sic dule that sorow was to se
c1475 Wall. i 107.
Full gret slauchtyr at pitte was to se
c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 43.
Arayed was … So nobily that joy was for to sene
1513 Doug. v iv 68.
Howbeyt, wald God, that war a gloir to se!
1535 Stewart 22692.
I had levar Ane thousand tymes on ane gallous de, No be on lyfe so greit mischief to se
c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 1168.
In scarlot fyne … Quhilk wes ane semelie sicht to sene
passive a1400 Leg. S. l 690.
Angelis … That … mad hire hyd sa hale & schene, That it was farly to be seyne
15.. Lichtoun Dreme 60 (B).
I saw thre quhyte quhailis semelie to be sene

b. It is to se (that), it is evident, clear (that). 1456 Hay I 271/3.
For it is to se that the provour has begunnyn his clame ferr ynouche quhen [etc.]

II. intr., with preps.

15. To se for, a. To look for, try to find. b. To make arrangements for; to take steps to deal with (a situation or condition) or bring about (a desired conclusion); to provide for (a person); to see to.a. 1456 Hay I 288/2.
That first he schape him to se for a gude confessoure that be a gude wis clerk, wele letterit [etc.]
a1500 Henr. Fab. 2033.
Thairfoir I reid that we se for sum wayis To get sum fische
c1475 Wall. xi 365.
Tharfor rys wp and for sum succour se
b. 1405 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 59.
It lyes to yhour heenes to se for chastyninge of trespassouris
c1420 Wynt. ii 96.
Scho … kowth weylle se for hyr mystyre
1427 Reg. Morton I xlii.
God willande we sall se weyll for yhour deliuerance
a1500 Prestis of Peblis 335 (A).
We tak it apon hand To se for this as resoun can remeid
1535 Stewart 17388.
And mony saikles ȝit sall suffer deid, Without richt sone ȝe se for sum remeid
1568 Peebles B. Rec. I 307.
To pas to James Craw sculmaster, and warin him to se for himself at Auhallomes
a1578 Pitsc. II 50/4 (see Remed(e n. 2 (1) (b)). 15… Balcarres P. V, MS 73.
Note and se well for the furnyture of the pecis

16. (To) se on (apon), to look at, etc. = 5 above. a1400 Leg. S. vii 597.
Josaphus speryte … Gyffe that Tytus had ony man In sic maugre that he na wald se One hyme, na thole by hym be
a1400 Leg. S. xxviii 348.
We haf pyte One thi hard torment thus to se
?1438 Alex. ii 146.
Wald God grant … That I micht anes vpon him se
c1400 Troy-bk. ii 200 (D).
[A] temple fulle stoure … That is rycht semblyche one to se
1460 Hay Alex. 894.
Euirie man haid joy on him to se
c1475 Wall. xi 401.
Fra Butler had apon gud Wallace seyn
c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 104/36.
Moir semly na is the sapheir one to seyne
1513 Doug. xiii viii 62.
At the first blenk astonyst half wolx he, And musyng hovirris styll on hir to se

17. To se our(e, to read, peruse, study (a book, etc.). c1420 Wynt. v 4312.
Orosius … That mony storys had sene oure
1513 Doug. v Prol. 5.
The clerk reiosys hys bukis our to seyn

18. To se thro(u)ch, a. To ensure the successful completion of, to carry through (a task). b. To perceive the true nature of (a deception).a. 1589 James VI in Bruces of Airth xcvi.
Anent the sustentation of the ministerie … it being a mater that we wold willinglie see throch
b. 1638 Johnston Diary I 360.
The Lord wald be pleased to discover al thir desseings, maik us seie through them, and resolutly to loope over al difficulties

19. To se to (till), to attend to, do what is necessary for, take especial care over (a person or thing). c1420 Ratis R. 212.
To tak kep our speking till ws … And ȝhit se to the placis ser
c1420 Ratis R. 992.
Quhat thing thow byis, se to the price
1456 Hay II 163/27.
Fruyte treis, herbis and othir gresis … the quhilkis … suld be wele sene to and socourit at thair nedis
c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 209/38.
Sum givis to strangeris … And to awld servandis list not se War thay nevir of sa grit vertew
1660 J. M. Beale Fife Schools 156.
That schools in ilk parish be weill sein to and attendit
1661 Black Sc. Witches 38.
He sieth lyvelie to his aperarance Jennot Coke sitting by him
1674 Glasgow B. Rec. III 188.
That they wer persones … who had not taken the declaratioune, to quhich it was ansuered be the … proveist, it was the incumers pairt … to have sein to that
1689 Lett. (Annandale Papers, R. C. Reid transcript) 22 July.
I hope my aunt will now sie to me
1693 Cramond Kirk S. III 28 March.
It was necessar they should see to the supply of the vacancy of this church

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"Se v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 2 Dec 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/se_v>

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