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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.

Antecessour, n. Also: antecessoure, -owr, -or, -er; antycesso(w)r. [L. antecessor, OF. antecesseur. Also in ME. (c 1300) and e.m.E.]

1. A predecessor (esp. in office). c1420 Wynt. vii. 2639.
Thare gert he Hys prewalagys all renewyd be That befor hys antycessowrys Gat 1429 Reg. Episc. Brechin I. 142.
My antecessouris and my successourys 1456 Wemyss Chart. 76.
Witht … pertinens, and all profictis … as his antecessouris held thaim 1528 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 121.
The said Sir Alexr. sall do dywine seruice … lik as his antecessouris hes done in tymis bigane 1579 Conv. Burghs I. 105.
It has nocht bene the receavit custome of the burrowis … nor ȝet thair antecessouris 1631 Lanark B. Rec. 128.
Thair saidis antecessouris, deacone, … burgessis and friemen

2. A progenitor or forefather; an ancestor. c1475 Wall. i. 1.
Our antecessowris, that we suld of reide, … We lat ourslide throw werray sleuthfulnes c1515 Asl. MS. I. 206/5.
As all ynglis men ar … sa proude in thare genology and antecessouris 1513 Doug. v. x. 100.
Mychty Roym … Syk oys … gan vphald In wirschip of thar antecessouris auld 1531 Bell. Boece II. 155.
Our pepill, sa lang continewing togidder under ane blude and amite of our antecessouris a1585 Maitl. Q. lxii. 41.
Our antecessouris and fatheris honorabill 1622-6 Bisset I. 4/30.
He thinkis nocht weill of his antecessouris surname a1639 Spotsw. Hist. 53.
Homage and Fealty done by the Kings of Scotland … to any of his antecessors