A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
(Mummery,) Mumré, Mommerie, n. [MF. mommerie (F. momerie), MDu. mommerie, e.m.E. mommery (1530), mummary (1533), -ery, mumry.] a. A mumming performance, a masquerade. Also attrib. with -graith. b. transf. to a religious form or ritual regarded as preposterous or empty ‘playacting’. —a. 1465–6 Exch. R. VII. 423.
Pro le mumre regis erga Natale —attrib. 1466 Exch. R. VII. 501.
Et pro certis necessariis liberatis Johanni Rate, pictori, ad le mumre grathe in yeme elapsa … lvij li. —b. 1565 Gathering of the Halie Signes 24.
Anuther mummerie be the belt quhairwith the aube is trussit to signifie the band of the luif of God 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 259.
Ye see they have already preferred the leaven of the Pharisees and gone to mumchances, mummeries and unknown language
