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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.

Prebend, n. Also: -ende. [Late ME and e.m.E. prebend(e (c 1400), -ente (1556), OF prebende, med. L. prebenda provender, fodder, allowance of food, ecclesiastical prebend.]

1. An ecclesiastical prebend supporting a canon or member of the chapter of a cathedral or collegiate church.Also const. of (the cathedral or collegiate church), of (the office or rank of the prebendary), and of (the land or the foundation from which the prebend was endowed).(1) 1490 Irland Mir. I 46/11.
The gros froitis of oure prebend for oure devin seruice we sall resaue … in the hevinly cite aboue 1569 Glasgow Prot. XI 182.
Sir Robert Watsone, prebendare of the prebendis callit Sanct Andro [etc.](2) 1493 Acta Conc. I 315/1.
The prebend of the maister hospitale in the Trinite College(3) 1450 Antiq. Aberd. & B. II 343.
Resaiuand and joysand frely the benfice of Turray prebend of Aberdene 1515 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 46.
I luk for a prebend of Dunkeld: I spek by tyme for a dum man gettis seldin land 1566 Reg. Episc. Brechin. II 330.
All and haill the chanonrie and prebend of the cathedrall kirk of Brechin callit the pensonarie and vicarage of the parroche kirk of Panbryde(4) 1473 Acta Aud. 24/1.
For the teindis of the prebend of Kinkell 1479 Acta Conc. I 34/1.
The declaracion … standis alutterly apoun the richt of the benefice and prebend of Inglaldstoun 1489 Ib. 122/1. 1493–4 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I 334.
Johne Erle of Mar … the quhylk is patrone of the saide prebende of Innernochty 1500–1 Reg. Privy S. I 91/2.
The channanry and prebend of Crechmond within the cathedrall kirk of Abirdene 1510–11 Ib. 335/2.
The prebend of Glenquhom … is to be erect perpetualy be auctorite of the pape in ane archidenry within the said chapell riall 1532–3 Edinb. B. Rec. II 60.
The prebend of Sanct Jhonis alter … now vacand … be dimissioun and resignatioun thairof be Sir Robert Steill last prebendare 1535 Ib. 69.

2. a. ? A college or chapter of canons. b. A prebendary or canon. = Prebendar n. 1. 1596 Dalr. II 173/11.
This bishop, farther, bigit a fair palice, a singular work quhair his prebend suld duell, quhom we call chaplanis 16.. Macfarlane's Geog. Coll. III 79.
There were, in time of popery, collegiate churches built … for singing of mass, which were govern'd by a provest, and some for singing, who were called prebends