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: 1600-1626
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Mercenar, a. [f. as Mercenarye.] Mercenary, motivated by the desire for, orworship of, money; also absol., a mercenary person. — 1600-1610 Melvill 171.
Haiffing … aneuche brought with my wyff, I wald nocht incur anie liklihead of a mercenar 1626 Garden Worthies 134.
All there mad mal-ventions he did mock; Accounting mercenar that humane means Which [etc.]
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"Mercenar adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/mercenar>
