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

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Bursar, Burser, n. Also: bursare, -air. [med. L. bursarius, f. bursa purse.] A student or scholar who receives the benefit of a ‘burse’. (Cf. Bursour n. 2 and Busser.)(a) 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 8.
For ilk bursar, sa mony as salbe thocht necessair to be in the College of Humanite, ane bread [etc.] Ib. 15.
Thair salbe xviij bursaris in thys college; viz. sex in law, and xij auditouris in diuinite 1569 Mun. Univ. Glasg. I. 77.
The lettre of presentatioune … for the sustentation of bursaris within the said Vniuersitie 1571 Bk. Univ. Kirk I. 214.
Nane salbe admittit a bursair in grammer being vnder the aige of sevin ȝeirs 1600-1610 Melvill 24.
The … promise of the benefeit of a bursares place 1608 Scot. Ant. XV. 141.
Ȝe shall understand that I wrott the bursairis theame bot I am nocht to be ane bursair for ther ar twelf elected alreddie 1620 Elgin Rec. II. 166.
Fourtie schillingis yeerly to be givin to ane bursar conforme to the ordour of wther kirkis within this diocie 1642 St. A. Presb. 6.
The Presbyterie … ordained everie paroch to pay so much, as they pay to the boursare of theologie, for ther releife 1655 Mun. Univ. Glasg. II. 325.
Each bursare … [to] give a silver spoon for upholding the plenishing of the houseattrib. 1572 Reg. Privy C. II. 108.
The forme of a letter direct to the maister of the grammer scoile in favour of a bursar student in grammar Ib.
For a bursar student in theologie 1674 Inverness Presb. 48.
To pay the bursar money(b) 1595 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 146.
Thai ar in the wrang that wald applye the sam [payment] to … the intertenement of bursers in the college that ar … gentillmennis bayrnes 1637 Mun. Univ. Glasg. I. 269.
For the table of 12 foundet persounes, vizt. the principal, 3 regents, 4 burseris [etc.] 1642 Row Introd. 20.
A stent on every kirk, quhairby a burser might be intertened at the new college of Santandrous