A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Compositour, -itor, n. Also: -itoure, -itur, -ytore. [AF. compositour, F. -iteur, L. compositor.] One who settles disputes or arranges agreements between parties. (See also Componitour n.1)Freq. with amiable or amicable, q.v.1375 Barb. i. 88.
Thai trowyt that he, as gud nychtbur, And as freyndsome compositur [Wynt. composytore] Wald hawe iugyt in lawte c1420 Wynt. viii. 2344.
He wes till hym … specyalle frend, and gud nychtboure, And amyabill, he trowyd, composytoure 1472 Bamff Chart. 28.
We … jugis arbitrouris and amiabil compositouris in al clamys, debatis, causis and querelis movit betuix [etc.] 1491 Lennox Mun. 142.
Ve jugis, consalouris, and amebill compositouris ewynly chosyn c1500-c1512 Dunb. xliii. 36.
Thay can, percaice, Purches sum grace At the compositouris 1529 Lennox Mun. 232.
Iugis arbytratouris, tretouris of concord, freyndfull and amycabyll compositouris 1533 Bell. Livy I. 12/10.
Thir princes war compositouris of pece 1533 Boece xi. xv. 436.
Betuix thame suld be trewis for thre monethis, during quhilk suld be lefull to arbitrouris & compositouris [to] pas and repas … to dres the pece 1540 Lynd. Sat. 2662.
By buds may he obtein fauours Of tresurers and compositours 1551–2 Treas. Acc. X. 67.
Be the lordis compositouris speciale command to my lord governouris veolaris 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 21.
It is permitted to compromit in arbitrators, and amicabill compositors 1663 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 205.
[They] did nominat Thomas Gordoun … and Mr Androw Moor … their freinds and amicable compositors
