A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Fermour, n.1 [ME. fermour (1382), fermor (1420), ad. med. L. fermarius.] A tenant farmer.14.. Acts I. 357/2.
A fewfermar may nocht mak a fermour of ony lande bot it be first gevin vp to the first ourlord and he sal mak him fermour or malar 1476 Acta Aud. 47/2.
The said landis … to be browkit & joisit be him, his fermouris & tennandis 1511 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III. 106.
Ther is nocht ane servand in the Knokhall that aw seruice to your Lordschipe sene tha ar fermouris and the toune sett in steilbov c1590 Fowler I. 22.
Fame … dois liue as fermour in the revenewis and possessionis of Eternitie 1693 Greyfriars Interments 75.
George Brown, fermor