Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Task(e, n. [ME and e.m.E. task(e (Cursor M.), ONF tasque, med. L. tasca, taschia.] A specific piece or job of work. Also (a) task of work. 1326 Exch. R. I 54.]
[In factione vnius fosse … ad tascam conuencionatam … pro stagno molendini … per tascam 1501 Treas. Acc. II 85.
To Schir Patrik Blakedir, in payment of the task of the Kirk of Steil … xx li. 1501 Treas. Acc. II 85.
To Johne Ȝorkstoun, masoun, in compleit payment of his task for the heding of the fore toure lxvj li. xiij s. iiij d. 1529 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I 14.
To the master masoun for his vage the tyme of the task for his labour and resait of the samyn 1590–1 Ayr B. Acc. 43.
To Antan Wricht sklaiter for mending of ane hoill in the kirk besyd his task 1646 Edinb. B. Rec. VIII 87.
Finding … the inhabitants burdened with certane dayis taskis or dargs in harvest — 1653 Glasgow Wrights 31.
No wreicht, being ane stranger within this brugh, sall tak any mae taskis of wark to work … nor they have takin alreadie

b. With reference to payment for a specified job of work, piece-work. Const. as, be, for, in, of, to, (up)on. 1501 Treas. Acc. II 83.
Acordit with Adam Rede for the gait making in Strivelin and payit thairfor in task, xl li. 1511 Treas. Acc. IV 283.
To William Thome, maissone, wirkand be task one the chapele … of Falkland 1529 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I 3.
Certane quareouris dischargit olklie and therefter put to task 1532 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I 104.
To Erskyn sklater for thekin of the stabill of task 1538–9 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I 246.
The remanent thair marrowis quareouris at past fra wolkle wagis to task becaus of the schort day 1552 Edinb. B. Rec. II 174.
That the south syde thairof … be set in task to Andro Mansioun, wrycht 1582 Edinb. D. Guild Acc. 146.
Agreit with ane masoun be taske to repair and big the kirk ȝaird dyk 1598 Murray Lyon Hist. Lodge Edinb. 9.
That thay … deill uprichtlie with the maisteris or awnaris of the warkis that thay sall tak vpoun hand, be it in task, meit, & fie, or owlklie wage 1603 Haddington B. Rec. (Robb) 6 May.
To aggrie with thame on task to furneiss tymmer & warkmen 1621 Murray Lyon Hist. Lodge Edinb. 34.
Finding grit abuse anent the hewing of task stanes, therfoir thay haif thocht it geud … to set doune ane pryce on the hundreth pece of stanes that sall be hewin in task 1642 Edinb. B. Rec. VIII 20.
Haveing considerit the fabrick of the warke of the kirk … that quhat is to be perfyted theirof may be doone upon taske 1652 Glasgow B. Rec. II 231.
That everie craftisman … sall work out … the haill work they ar imployed to work … quhither it be task wark or dayes wark, or seick any augmentatioune of thair pryce … aither for task or daylie waidges 1679 Fawside Coal Compt 49.
For the mynde as taske

c. attrib. With mason, stanes, work. Also fig. See also Taskman n.(1) 1535–6 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I 164 heading.
Masonis hewaris be task … Taskmasonis(2) 1621 Murray Lyon Hist. Lodge Edinb. 34 (see b (2) above).
Task stanes(3) 1511 Treas. Acc. IV 282 (see Taskman n. a). 1532 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I 105.
To Thome Stevin mason … set to him in task werk for the bayne fylling of the said stabill 1629 M. Works Acc. (ed.) II 255.
To Robert Norie and James Rynd maissones and thair servandis for thair winter task wark 1652 Glasgow B. Rec. II 231 (see b above).
Task wark 1656 Edinb. Justices Peace 410.
The prices of the task-work … without any bounteth, morning, or four hours drinks 1660 Melrose Reg. Rec. I 282.
To work to hir twa yockings of ane pleuch and four dayes harrowing with twa horse in task workfig. 1635 Dickson Wr. 133.
Now ye have a fight, a task-work, ere ye get the treasure; a hell to go past, ere ye win to heaven