† 1. The process of looking at or viewing; observation, notice, attention, consideration. Obs.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron., 241. Sent þei non bifore, to wite how þei mo passe, Þerfore had þei lore, for non avisement wasse.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Troylus, V. 1811. And ther he saugh, with ful avysemente, The erratyk sterres.
1447. Bokenham, Lyvys of Seyntys (1835), 14. Hyr bewte so sore dede lure Hys herte, that … of hyr he took more avysement.
1600. Holland, Livy, I. xviii. 14. He had with good avisement taken a prospect and view towards the cittie.
† 2. The process of viewing or considering mentally; thought, thinking, consideration, reflection, deliberation. ? Obs. or dial.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron., 289. Pride and ille avisement Mishapnes oftentide, and dos many be schent.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Mercht’s. T., 287. I warn yow wel it is no childes pley To take a wyf withoute avisement.
c. 1425. Wyntoun, Cron., IX. xxvii. 282. To þat rycht sone assentit he And blythly … Wyth schort Avisment maid ansuere.
1571. Grindal, Articles, xviii. Whether they doe every day with good aduisement conferre one Chapter of the Latine and English togither.
1603–5. Sir J. Melvil, Mem. (1735), 354. After fifteen days Advisement and devout Prayer.
1709. Strype, Ann. Ref., xxxvii. 390. It was the work of ten years, written with good advisement.
1794. Burns, Wks., IV. 319. O’ gude advisement comes nae ill.
† b. The result of thinking; a thought, opinion, resolution, plan. Obs.
1535. Coverdale, Jer. xxvi. 13. Therfore amende youre wayes, and youre advysementes and be obedient.
1590. Span. Invas., in Harl. Misc. (Malh.), II. 159. By reason of a great calm, which fell out, no part of this advisement could be accomplished.
† 3. To take advisement: to take thought, to consider or deliberate; (of a multitude) to take counsel, consult; hence, to decide, resolve. Obs.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, VII. 526. He tuk avisment vith his men, On quhat maner thai suld do then.
c. 1385. Chaucer, Leg. Good Wom., 1413. At the laste he tooke avysemente, To send hym into some fer countre.
1462. Daubeney, in Past. Lett., 452, II. 102. Take avisment of this mater tille to morowe.
a. 1569. Kyngesmill, Godly Advise (1580), 4. You ought to take good advisement howe you bestowe yourselfe, least you both marie and marre yourselfe in one daie.
1597. Daniel, Civ. Wares (1609), I. xcii. And mus’d awhile, waking advisement takes of what had past in sleepe.
4. Combined deliberation; consultation.
1417. T. Broke, in E. E. Wills (1882), 24. Iff ych haue … mystake hir good, I wyll þat it be restored to ham … be avysement of myn Executours.
1534. Ld. Berners, Gold. Bk. of M. Aurel. (1546), Q vij b. Dougheters … shuld not mary without lycence, nor the emperours doughters without the aduysement of the senate.
1634–46. J. Row (father), Hist. Kirk Scotl. (1842), 186. Whereupon the magistrats, after advisement, withdrew themselves.
1735. Col. Rec. Penn., IV. 23. Till the Bill for establishing Courts of Equity comes under advisement.
1881. Times, 19 Feb., 5/2. The application [to the Court] was held under advisement.
5. Advice, counsel. arch.
c. 1440. Morte Arthure, 148. Thus schalle I take avisemente of valiant beryns.
1509. Barclay, Ship of Fooles (1570), 17. The reade and advisement Of wise men, discrete, and full of grauitie, Helpeth thine owne.
1658. Brome, Cov. Gard., V. i. 77. There’s hope that he may be fetch’t halfe way back again, by your fatherly advicement.
1658. S. Lennard, trans. Charron’s Wisdome, I. xx. § 12 (1670), 74. Particular advisements and remedies against this evil you shall find.
1850. Blackie, Æschylus, II. 271. My son, Xerxes, Being young hath young conceits; and takes no note Of my advisement.
† 6. An instruction how to act, an injunction, a warning. Obs.
1538. in Strype, Eccl. Mem., App. xci. I charge and enjoyn to every curate … to accomplish these few advisements and injunctions.
1598. Barret, Theor. Warres, II. i. 17. That they may before the enemy arriue, give aduisement.
1654. Gentilis, trans. Servita’s Hist. Inquis. (1676), 860. The punishments which the Inquisition imposeth, are spiritual, as Abjurations, Absolutions, or Advisements.
