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.
Quotation dates: 1558-1650
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Conference, n. Also: conferrence, -ens, -feirens. [e.m.E. (1538), F. conférence, med. L. conferentia.]
1. Conference, talk. 1558-66 Knox II. 285.
How oft have the Papistis … bein required to come to conference 1570 7th Rep. Hist. MSS. 722/1.
He hes had … divers conferencis … apon certeine heides 1599 Elgin Rec. II. 70.
Sic personis … as hes haid voluntar conferrens with the excommunicat rebells 1615 Highland P. III. 237.
Eftir lang conferrence Angus … become moir tractible c1650 Spalding I. 16.
Frendracht … had confeirens with the Erll of Morray in Elgyne
2. Comparison; congruence, agreement. 1558 Q. Kennedy Tractive 133.
To cearse out the secretis of Goddis word … be conferrence of Scripturis 1562 Id. Ressoning 207.
Quhair I do mark the conferrence betuix the phrase of the scriptures alledged be vs baith 1562-3 Winȝet I. 111/22.
Knaw ȝe nocht that Ambrose … pronunces planelie vpone this similitude and conference
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"Conference n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/conference>
