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

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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Priso(u)n, n. Also: -one, priss-, prys(s)o(u)n(e, -own, pryssune, prwsoun, pris(s)ion. [Early ME prisun (a 1123), ME and e.m.E. prison (c 1200), -oun(e, pryso(u)n, OF prisun (11th c. in Littré), prison, the action of taking, imprisonment, captivity, a prison, also, a prisoner (see Presoun n.²⁾, appar. altered (? by assimilation to pris p.p., taken) f. earlier OF preson.Evidently a less common form than Preso(u)n n.¹]

1. Imprisonment; prison. = Preso(u)n n.¹ 1.(1) 1456 Hay I 172/29.
Gif that a man be haldin in a tour in prisoun Ib. 220/17.
And his persone put in prisoun 1531 Bell. Boece II 102.
It was concludit to continew him stil in prison 1567 G. Ball. 119.
The greting of thy pure that ar in bandis, In prisoun pynde 1588 King Cat. in 1573-1600 Cath. Tr. 190.
Quhen S. Peter was castin in prisone be Herod 1596 Dalr. I 276 marg.
Prissoun Ib. 172/9. Ib. II 468/8. 1633 Justiciary Cases I 225.
And I haif evir since lyne in prissone 1669 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. III 640.
Prissone 1670 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS 3 Dec.
To remaine in prysoune during pleaser Ib. 17 Dec.
Prissoune(2) a1570-86 Maitl. F. cxxx 68.
Chargeand ȝow to prwsoun To the kingis deip dwngoun 1596 Dalr. II 356/8.
Quhome thairfor shoe condamnes to prissoune 1624 Crim. Trials III 561.
Prissone(3) 14.. Burgh Laws c. 10 (B).
And he hafe bene in that ilk kynryke and of elde and oute of prysoune 1542 Douglas Corr. 146.
Whethere … we intendis to deliver the cardinall out of pryssoun or not 15.. Clar. ii 132.
That he Them lousit out of prissoun ransoune fre 1596 Dalr. II 352/26. 1671 Acts Sederunt ii 104.
Rebells who shall escape furth of prisone(4) 1412 Aberd. B. Rec. I 389.
And prisone quill that viii s. be payit 1456 Hay I 172/30.
Quhethir may he levefully brek prisoun and scape Ib. 174/30. Ib. 175/6.
Sen he gerris him first mak him … faith to kepe prisoun 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. ii 54 b.
They … quha are taken for manslauchter, … breakers of the prison, common & notorious theifes [etc.](5) 1456 Hay I 172/31.
Quhethir may he levefully … scape … out of ony othir ferme prisoun Ib. 175/7.
And gif he efterwart gerris put him in ferme prisoun Ib. 175/23.
And that he be nocht in sa hard prisoun that he … mortall infirmitee tak in prisoun c1475 Wall. vii 1265.
Part put to dede, part set in prysone [1570 presoun] strang 1531 Bell. Boece II 102.
Quhidder he suld be … haldin in perpetual prison 15.. Clar. ii 965.
Gif I Have no worse prissoun nor this I sall not pleine 1688 Musselburgh 32.
Robert Scott and Alexander Porteous to ly in closs prisone till Saturday

2. A prison, jail. = Preso(u)n n.¹ 2.(a) c1420 Wynt. vii 1798.
Fra in his prysown he had hym dwne 14.. Burgh Laws c. 68 (B).
Gyf the burges hafe na prisoun 14.. Acts I 112/2.
He salbe … send to the kyngis prisoun 1433 Ayr B. Ct. 13 July.
The prison of Are 1434–5 Aberd. B. Rec. MS IV 33.
The baillies beand tayntit tharapon thai salbe ordanit to the kingis prison 1456 Hay I 154/5. 1610 in Melvill 789.
And to all keiperis of jaylis and prissounes 1611 Crim. Trials III 170.
Being broght from his maiesteis prison to the bar 1611 Dunferm. B. Rec. II 87.
The tua laigh prissonies under the tolbuith 1630-1651 Gordon Geneal. Hist. 168.
Prisson 1654 Dumfries Council Min. 11 May.
To watch the laiche & heiche pryssunes nichtlie 1677 Inverness Rec. II 273.
His wault quhilk they mack wse of as ther prissone for malefactors(b) 1676 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS.
To tacke and aprehend the person of Mr. William McMillan and carie him to the prision of Kirkcudbright 1716 Old Ross-shire I 242.
Inverchasley remained in prisone and about Bailly William his house sexty days with allowance of one open prission and liberty of the toune