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

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Voyd, Void, v. Also: woyd, woid, woyid, vod(e, wod, woud, vyde. [ME and e.m.E. voide (Manning), voyde(n (Chaucer), OF voider, vuider; also, aphetic f. Devoid(e v. and Avoid v.] tr.

1. a. To quit or vacate (a place, land, etc.), also in favouris of (someone). = Devoid(e v. 4. b. To clear (a place, land, etc.) of goods or inhabitants. = Devoid(e v. 3. c. To be free off (a fault, etc.).Also in collocation with Red v.² 4 a, b and Rede v.² 3, q.v. for a further example.a. 1375 Barb. viii 59.
Thai gan draw to woyd the place ?1438 Alex. ii 6208.
The herald … can cry … 'Woydis the renks, lordis, woydis [F. widiés les rens widiés]!' 1489–90 Acta Aud. 142/1.
The said Patrik … is content for to leff red & woid it … at Witsounday nixt tocum in fauouris of the said partiis 15… Aberd. B. Rec. (Jam. s.v. Woud v.).
To woud this gud toune, swa that scho be nocht fund tharin 1691 Case of the Present Afflicted Clergy in Scotland 41.
If he should not void the manse, it should be on his utmost peril(b) 1585 Perth B. Ct. 20 Aug.
The samin being growand he desyrit to haif causit vyde the saminb. 15… Aberd. B. Rec. (Jam. s.v. Woud v.).
To woud the said biging of the gudis 1549 Lamb Resonyng 161/21.
The vncle had vodit Ingland of nobillis a1586 Lindsay MS 5b.
The barrers woidit of all personis 1605 Reg. Privy S. VII 703.
That … the cuntrey be voydit of them [sc. outlaws]c. 1375 Barb. i 26.
Thai suld weill hawe prys … That … war woydyt off cowardy ?1438 Alex. ii 5512.
He fulfillit is of all bounte … And voydit of all cowardys 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1286.
Be quick and schairp, voidit of variance

2. To remove (a person) ((furth) (of) a place). Also reflex. = Devoid(e v. 2. Also in collocation with Red v.² 5 b, q.v. for further examples. b. passive. Of people: To become dispersed. = Devoid(e v. 2 c. c. In fig. context: To remove (an emotion, etc.) from (one's face). a1500 Bk. Chess 2.
Sone efter the tyme that ald Saturnus He regnit had and woidit of his hous 1638 Boyd Fam. P. No. 168 (20 July).
To flitt remowe outputte woyd and read the … said James Lockairt … furth and fra the foirsaids housesreflex. 1567 Reg. Privy C. I 521.
That thai … void and red thame selffis furth of this burgh of Edinburghb. 1513 Doug. iv ii 59.
Eftir all wes voydyt [L. Post ubi digressi]c. a1568 Bann. MS 26b/65.
He … of His mercy hes remembrit … To woyid all vengeance frome His face

3. To quit, leave off (a thing). 1533 Bell. Livy II 143/5.
The ȝoung men of Rome … growis harde vnder skynnys, nocht voding thare armoure and wappynnys in tyme of wynter

4. a. To dispel, render harmless (poison). b. To expel, evacuate (blood, etc.). = Devoid(e v. 1.a. c1409-1436 Kingis Q. § 155.
The lufare vnicorne, That voidis venym with his euour horneb. 1513 Doug. x vi 136.
Of hys mouth … The lopprit blude in ded thraw voydis he Urquhart Rabelais (1900) II 119.
Proserpina's close-stool … within which she … voideth the fecal stuff of her stinking clysters 167. D. Blair in Blair Autob. 595.
The gravel did so violently seize upon him, that, … he voided five stones

5. To become null, empty or meaningless. c1520-c1535 Nisbet 1 Cor. xiii 8.
Cherite fallis neuir downe, quhethir prophecies salbe voidit [P. voidid; L. evacuabuntur], outhir langages sal ceese, outhir science salbe destroyit

6. a. To avoid, escape (something). = Avoid v. 3. b. To remove, put away. = Avoid v. 1.a. c1460 Dietary 54.
Voyd [Makc. MS wod] all dronkyn-lew learis [etc.] 1721 W. Hamilton Wallace 4.
To void a bloody civil war … the two contendants should submit the thing, to the decision of the English kingb. c1520-c1535 Nisbet Gallath. v 11.
Than the sclandir of the croce is voidit [P. auoidid; L. evacuatum]