A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1420-1461, 1515-1575, 1632-1686
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Major, a. and n.2 Also: -ore, -oer, maior, -our. [ME. maiour (a 1400), e.m.E. major (16th c.), L. mājor.] Greater, in certain applications.
1. In certain personal and geographical names: cf. its converse, Les a. A 1 c.c1420 Wynt. iv. 2066.
Nere Saynct Mary the majore [v.rr. maiour] 1461 Liber Pluscardensis I. 382.
He michti makar of the major munde c1515 Asloan MS I. 188/24.
The women that thai brocht with thaim out of Scotland maior
2. In logic: The major premiss of a syllogism. absol. as n. Also transf.1562-3 Winȝet I. 139/14.
The maior (as thai terme it) I think that be ȝow nor ȝouris sal nocht be denyit 1563 Hay Confutation 10. —transf. a1633 Hope Major Pract. II. 235.
Found that ane summonds requyres not necesarlie the major, minor, and conclusion, to be sett in order
3. Of full age, out of one's minority. b. absol.c1575 Balfour Pract. 241.
The superiour … being ane fre man, male or female, major or minor, clerk or laique man a1633 Hope Major Pract. I. 305. a1649 Drummond Wks. (1711) 21. 1665 Brechin Testaments VI. 301 b.
The defunct being a young lad and not yet majoer hade no goodsb. a1633 Hope Major Pract. II. 175.
If any major succeid
4. ? Elder, senior.1649-71 Lamont Diary 114.
He entered bajan with Mr Ja. Weyms, maior, regent ther
5. The major (= greater) plus, pars, pairt.1655 Rec. Convention of Royal Burghs III. 412.
Magistratis … to consist of … sextein merchandis and the major plus of thes to be actuall traffiquing merchandis 1658 Ib. 465. 1675 Cullen Kirk S. 5 Nov.
The major pars of them 1686 Cramond Kirk S. II. 29 Aug.
The patron & major pairt of the heretors
