Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

MESS, n. Sc. form of Eng. mass, the Eucharistic service (Abd. 1828 P. Buchan Ballads (1875) II. 79; Sc. a.1830 Earl of Errol in Child Ballads No. 231. A. viii.).

Sc. usages:

1. Comb. mess-book, a mass-book, a missal, used in quot. of the Anglican prayer-book.Sc. 1822 Scott F. Nigel vii.:
Sic prayers as the Southron read out of their auld blethern black mess-book there.

2. Sunday, in weather rhyme only. See quot.Sc. 1870 R. Chambers Pop. Rhymes 373:
If there's rain in the Mass, ‘T will rain through the week either mair or less.