A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1577-1578, 1639-1681
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Duniwassel, n. Also: dunyvassal, duniwesle, deniwassel. [G. duine uasal, gentleman.] A clansman of rank below the chief; a Highland gentleman. a1578 Pitsc. (1814) 357.
The king … caused many of the great duny vassalis [v.r. deniwassellis] to shew thair holding 1639 Drummond Consid. to Parl. in Drummond Wks. 187.
That … the overseers of ministers, deacons and elders, be named duniwassels of the kirk 1681 Colvil Whig's Suppl. i. 57.
Though some, sir, of our duniwesles Stood out, like Eglingtoun and Casils
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"Duniwassel n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/duniwassel>
