A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Lectour, n. Also: lectoure, -or(e, -ure, -eur; lactowr. [e.m.E. lector (Caxton), -our (1658), F. lecteur, L. lector.] A reader, in various applications.
1. The reader of a book.1490 Irland Mir. I. 16/9.
I pray richt humylly the lecture that he reid this buk with cherite Ib. /17.
And it ples … the lecture of this, he may devid it vthir way in sevin bukis Ib. MS. fol. 214 b.
Thou lectore and auditore of this writ c1590 Fowler II. 43/17.
For eschewing of tha things quhilks may reteine the lecteur in suspence W. Barclay Nepenthes Sig. B 4 b.
To the favourable lector, health
2. A scholar of an elementary or ‘reading and writing’ school or class; a pupil learning to read.1524 Holyrood Chart. 258.
We … dischairgis all utheris of ony teching of gramar skules within the said burgh except the teching and lering of lectouris alanerly 1649 J. M. Beale Hist. Fife Schools (1953) 62.
[Appointed as] doctor to the lectors in the grammer schuill [of Falkland]
b. Attrib. and possess. with -buik and in Lecto(u)r-schole.1621 Misc. Bann. C. II. 243.
Steikit Ingleisch buikis … consisting partlie of New Testamentes, … dowbill cattichischolmes, historie buikis and vther small lectouris buikis for skuilles Ib.
Vnbund Latein buikis … consisting partlie of Virgillis, gramers, rudimentes and vther small lactowr buikis
3. a. One who reads (and expounds) to another as an instructor.1556 Reg. Privy S. IV. 556/1.
That the said Master Alexander sall await upoun oure said derrest moder and be hir lectoure and reidar in the lawis or ony uthiris sciencis
b. A ‘reader’ or lecturer in a University.1564 Laing MSS. I. 20.
Thair is na Latin at this present teachit be ony of the Kinges lectoris [sc. in the University of Paris]. ... Thai bukes in Greik quhilk was sauld for ane lyard the feture before the lectouris began to reid1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 6.
Personis. The Principal. Ane lectour publik. Vj regentis Ib. 7.
Wagis … The publik lectour ane hundreth markis Ib. 8.
The lectour public in humanite Ib. 15.
In thys collegis … the principal and lectour in Hebrew may be ane persone; the quhilk sal reid iiij days euery weik 1571 Misc. Bann. C. III. 143.
Monsieur Chevalier, lectour in Hebrew 1579 Acts III. 179/1.
The first lectour … sall teiche the preceptis of the Ebrew grammer 1600-1610 Melvill 45.
Mr Andro … lyked … to be in sum Universitie, and profess thair as the King's lectors in Parise 1619 Garden Elphinstoun 407.
First lector of the laues … Of most accomplish'd partes
4. A cleric of the second of the four minor orders whose duty originally consisted in reading the ‘lessons’.1588 King Cat. 106.
Four inferiours, to wit, the order of ostiars, lectors, exorcists and acolyts Ib. 109.
Gif ony man deseruis to be ane bishope, lat him first be ostiar, secundlie lecteur, nixt ane exorcist, efter ane acolyt 1637 Gillespie Eng. Pop. Cerem. (1637) iv. iv. 19.
A lectors publike reading of scripture in the church upon the sabbath day
5. ? The scribe and reader of a (? mainly illiterate) community; a (? professional) clerk.1574 Orkney & Shetl. Rec. 268.
I the said Jhone … hes requestit … our lectour Robert Stewart of Haray to subscry [sic] this my discharge … in my name with my hand let at the pene [etc.] Ib.
Ita est Robertus Stewart, lector de Haray, teste hoc meo cyrographo de mandato dicti Johannis 1576 Rec. Earld. Orkney 139.
Wretin be me Robert Stewart, lectour of Haray, clerk for the tyme, at the command of the assese abonewritin … Ita est Jacobus Jack, notarius publicus premissa attestans 1640 Edinb. Marriages 287.
George Moffet, public lector in Currie
