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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Senȝeour, n. Also: senȝeoure, senyeour(e, senyor, seneȝeour, senȝeor, senȝ(h)our, seinȝeour(e, -iour, seigneoure. [ME and e.m.E. segnour (c1330), seignoure (14th c.), seynour (Piers Plowman), OF seignur, seignor, seigneur (c980, 1080 and 12th c. resp. in Larousse), (F. seigneur), L. seniōr adj. older; cf. Senio(u)r n.]Also as a surname (cf. the note to Senio(u)r n.) in Alexander Senȝour; 1523 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I 388. Besse Senyor; 1545 Aberd. B. Rec. MS XIX (Jam.). Maria Senȝour, hæres Jacobi Senȝour balivi burgi de Cupro, patris; 1690 Retours II Inq. Generales (7064).

1. An old man. a1500 Henr. Age & Yowth 25.
This senȝeour … Schakand his berd, he said, ‘My bairne, lat be’ a1500 Henr. Fab. 2389.

2. One placed in authority over others; a lord, master, ruler. c1450-2 Howlat 641 (A).
Busardis and Beldkytis as it mycht be Soldiouris and sumptermen to thai senȝeouris [B. senȝeoris] a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 145.
I will na vittale be sauld your senyeour vntill a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 326. 15.. Dunb. App. ix 25.
The souerane Senȝour of all celsitude, That sittis abone the ordour cherubin 1531 Bell. Boece (M) I 212.
Anthonius sett his mynde to govern the Roman army in sik maner that thai suld knaw him, and noch his bruther Gethus, senȝour [1821 senyeoure] abone thame 1533 Bell. Livy I 108/24.
Turnus Herdomitus, senȝeoure of Aricia 1533 Bell. Livy II 190/22.
Marcius … was ressauit in lugeing with Attius Tulius, the gretest senȝeour [L. princeps] that was amang the Wolchis in thai dayis 1533 Bell. Livy II 112/4.
Consullis and seneȝeouris of the ciete 1535 Stewart 790.
Betuix thair barnis rais greit stryfe and feid, Quhilk of thame tua suld senȝeour be and syer c1552 Lynd. Mon. 5758.
Thare sall our senȝeouris of the cessioun Off all thare faltis mak cleir confessioun a1561 Norvell Meroure 40b.
Satanas the olde seigneoure of hell a1568 Scott v 22.
Abbotis by rewll and lordis but ressone Sic senȝeouris tymis ourweill this sessone

3. As a title or mode of address. c1475 Wall. vi 132.
He salust thaim, as it war bot in scorn; ‘Dewgar, gud day, bone senȝhour, and gud morn' c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 104.
Haill, soverane senȝeour! Thy bawis hingis throw thy breik 1540 Lynd. Sat. 556 (B).
Saif ȝow my senȝeouris that givis sic awdience

b. specif. As a title preceding the names of Italians or Frenchmen, and representing Ital. signor or F. seigneur. 1565–6 Reg. Privy S. V ii 71/2.
For airt and pairt of the tressonabill slaying of umquhile Seinȝeoure David Riccio 1570 Sat. P. x 165.
Sa this stranger, and fallow of na kin, In Thuring borne, and wes ane menstrells sone, Begouth to reule, and callit Seinȝeour Dauid, Be quhome ȝour king and lords war all dissauid a1578 Pitsc. II 181/8.
In the same ȝeir thair come ane Italieane in Scottland callit Senȝour Dawid a1578 Pitsc. II 187/6, 9.
Seinȝeour 1588 Exch. R. XXI 366.
The expensis and furnisching of Senyeour Du Barras table c1615 Chron. Kings 110.
Seinȝiour