ppl. a. and sb. Sc. Obs. Also 5 wacande, 5–6 wacand, 7 vaicand, vacane. β. 5 wak-, vakande, 5–6 vakand, 6 vaken. [Sc. pres. pple. of VAKE v. The usual spelling with c follows that of L. vacant-: see next.]
A. ppl. a. = VACANT a. (esp. in sense 1).
α. 1405. in Fraser, The Lennox (1874), II. 57. With the gyffing and the patronage of the said Kirk … alse often as it happinys to be vacand.
1458. Burgh Rec. Peebles (1872), 126. Sir Wilyam of Fulop chapellane sal be present … to the first service that sal hapyn vacand in thair gouernans.
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, X. 531. As Bruce at the palȝoun So entryt in, and saw wacand his seit.
1500–20. Dunbar, Poems, lxxi. 26. Couatyce ringis into the spirituall state, Ȝarnand banifice the quhilk ar now vacand.
a. 1578. Lindesay (Pitscottie), Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.), I. 286. He gaue him the pryorie of Coldinghame … quhilk was wacand in his handis at that tyme.
1609. Skene, Reg. Maj., 26. After the deceis of the husband, the Dowrie of his wife named be him, is vaicand (possessed be na man) or nocht vaicand.
1649. Lamont, Diary (Maitl. Club), 11. He [the minister] was excommunicate, and his church declared vacane.
β. c. 1425. Wyntoun, Cron., VIII. 27. Qwhil þus þe kynrik was wakande, Off Inglande þe kynge was þan thynkande [etc.].
1456. Extr. Aberd. Rec. (1844), I. 21. Thai chapelnary of Saynt Nichallis altar was than vakande.
1513. Douglas, Æneid (1710), XIII. x. 119. With this the Kyng Latinus can deceis, And left the sceptoure vakand to his hand.
B. sb. 1. One who is free to take a mate.
1508. Dunbar, Tua Mariit Wemen, 206. Ȝe speik of berdis on bewch: of blise may thai sing, That, on sanct Valentynis day, ar vacandis ilk ȝer.
2. A vacant office; a vacancy.
1567. Burgh Rec. Peebles (1872), 306. Nixt vaken that fallis within the towne of Peblis, that the said Thomas sones sall haif the samin.
