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: 1400, 1507-1605, 1699-1700
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Marmaidyn, -madin(e, -yn, n. Also: mer- and -maid(d)en, -mydine. [ME. mere- (? a 1400, Roman de la Rose), late ME. (c 1440) and e.m.E. (1584) mermayden: cf. OE. męrewíf ‘sea-woman’, etc. Cf. also Marmaid(e.Most commonly mar-, some of the few instances of mer- being merely editorial expansions of the MS. abbreviated form.]
1. A mermaid; also applied to the Sirens. b. A representation of a mermaid.c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 2260.
The mermadyimis [L. Sirene] 1513 Doug. v. xiv. 69.
Thai careit ar … Onto the rochis … Of Syreine, that we marmadynnys clepe 1518 Mill Mediæval Plays 271.
Sanct Eloy vj d. the marmadin viij d. 1553 Ib. 273.
Johne Robertsoun sanct Eloy, Andro Thorskaill marmadin 1549 Complaynte of Scotland 64/12.
The foure marmadyins that sang quhen Thetis vas mareitb. 1538 Treasurer's Accounts VI. 414.
For the making of ane terget of gold with ane marmydine in it of dyamontis 1542 Inv. Wardrobe 68.
Ane bonet of blak velvott with ane tergat of the marmadin hir taill of dyamonttis [etc.] a1578 Pitsc. II. 193/4.
Vpone the kirk dore … , ane paintted wreitting witht ane marmaidden and ane crowne on hir heid 1583 Cal. Sc. P. VI. 689.
Ane jewell … in forme of ane marmadne with thre perlis hinging at it a1700 Hay Geneal. Sainteclaires 106.
Ane marmaiden on the dextre and ane griffon on the senistre
2. Also in the following instances where the precise reference is more or less obscure.a. Applied to a man: ? = monstrous being, monster. b. ? Cf. the 16–17th c. e.m.E. application of mermaid to a prostitute; here ? = nun.a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 514.
Marmaidyn [B. Marmadin], mymmerken, monstir of all men a1605 Montg. Flyt. 502 (T).
Mony mwnkis and marmaidynis [H. marmasits] come with the mother
