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.
Miser, a. and n. [e.m.E. (1542), L. miser wretched, unfortunate.]Common only in Fowler.
1. adj. Wretched, miserable.c1590 Fowler I. 281/195.
O cursed miser man Ib. 295/1.
Alas, poore wreche … and miser creatur now Ib. 81/107.
2. noun. a. A wretch, miserable creature. b. A grasping wretch, a miser.c1590 Fowler I. 110/171.
Goe! goe! yea misers now Ib. 129/76.
O mortall misers miserable that knowest not God this space 1611-57 Mure Dido & Æneas ii. 803.
Vndmindfull miser a1605 Montg. Son. lxi. 3.
Gold? silver? stones? … No, no; I carie not a misers mynd
