glossary of archaic Scots terms L

Scotland - a glossary of archaic terms, as well as a number of Modern Scots words and phrases, useful for genealogical research. Legal terms, words linked to property and possessions, found in wills and testaments.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

LACHE VOLT, low vault.

LADILL, ladle, large spoon for lifting broth, etc.

LAIRD, lard, var. of Lord (Eng.), holder of land directly from the King, (A.S. hlaford, O.E. lauerd).

LANTRONE, lanthorn, lantern.

LAUBEIR, laubir, laubyr, labour lauberar, labourer.

LAU'LL, a contraction of "lawful."

LAW-BURROWS (or borrowis), legal security which a man may be ordered to give that he will not injure the person or property of another; being " bound over to keep the peace."

LEAT, late.

LECENS, licence.

LEET, list of candidates for election, e.g., as bailies, etc.

LEGATOUR, universal, sole legatee.

LENTH, length.

LETTERS, writ or warrant, e.g., of caption, a signet letter following on horning for the arrest of the debtor.

LETTRONE, lectron, reading desk.

LEY, lea, unploughed land, pasture land.

LIFE, on life, still alive ; e.g., only child on life, sole surviving child.

LIFE-RENT, life-interest, life-renter or life-rentrix, man or woman owning it.

LITSTER, dyer; littet or littit, dyed.

LOCKIT BUIK, the locked book in which the admission of burgesses to the freedom of a burgh were entered.

LOGY HAUCHE AND FUR BRA, the hauch or heuch (i.e., glen) of Logie and the furrowed brae (hillside, side of valley).

LOOSING ARRESTMENT, an arrestment (for debt) is loosed on security being found.

LOUS, loose.

LUDGEING, ludgen, lodging.

LUGGS, A PAIR OF, ears, hinges, the two handles of a vessel.

LYBEL, libel, indictment, etc. ; e.g,, the lands lybelled, lands specified in the suit.

LYFRENT ; see s. Life.

TO INDEX

This glossary is under constant revision. We welcome all contributions of archaic terms linked to Scotland, that may be helpful in genealogical research. Please complete the SUGGESTIONS FORM with your ideas, additions and corrections. Thanks!

...... and to conclude, it is onpossibil that scottis men and inglis men can remane in accord vnder ane monarche or ane prince, be cause there naturis and conditions ar as indefferent as is the nature of scheip and voluis....... there suld be na familiarite betuix inglis men and scottis men, be cause of the grit defferens that is betuix there tua naturis. in ald tymisit vas determit in the artiklis of the pace be the tua vardanis of the bordours of ingland and scotland, that there suld be na familiarite betuix scottis men and inglis men, nor mariage to be contrakit betuix them, nor conuentions on hold dais at gammis and plays, nor marchandres to be maid amang them, nor scottis men til entir on inglis grond vitht out the kyng of ingland sane conduct, nor inglis men til entir on scottis grond vitht out the kyng of scotlandis saue conduct, quhou beit that there var sure pace betuix the tua realmis.....

Wedderburn's Complaynt of Scotland, 1549

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