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: 1500-1512, 1563-1605, 1693-1700+
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Murgeo(u)n, n. Also: murgio(u)n, morgeown, murgen. [Appar. var., with intruded r, of Mudgeoune n.] a. A grotesque movement of the body, a contortion, a piece of posturing or capering. b. A grotesque movement of the face, a grimace.Also applied by Protestant writers to the motions of the priest in celebrating Mass.c1500-c1512 Dunb. liii. 38.
Scho maid sic morgeownis with hir hippis For lauchter nain mycht hald thair lippis 1563 G. Hay Confutation Abbot Crosraguel 12 b.
But that he sees the murgeons played, a disguysed preist, somtymes pufting, somtymes blawing 1565 Gathering of the Halie Signes 28.
Neuertheles the principall aipis murgiouns are celebratit at the left syde of the alter 1565 Ib. 29. a1605 Montg. Flyt. 416 (T).
With thair mowthis to the moone, sick murgeonis [H. murgions] they maid a1605 Ib. 515 (see Mudgeoune n.). 1590 Burel Pilgr. i. viii.
Than out that come the akquart aip That murgens wont to mak 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 76.
The murgeons, singing 1693 Sage Fundam. Chart. Presb. (1695) Pref.
The murgeons of ane ape 1701 Fugitive Poetry II. xlv. p. 6. l. 147.
His murgeons and his cock't up chin Puts us in mynd of Harlequin
