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.
Nigramansour, Nigro-, Nicromancer, n. Also: nygra-, niygra-, nygro-, nigre-, nycro- and -mancear, -manser, -mantier, -menser, -messour, -missure. [ME. (Cursor M.) and e.m.E. nigromancer, -mancier, nygramancer (Caxton), e.m.E. also nicro-, OF. nigromansere: cf. also Necromancer and Igramanciar.] One who practises necromancy; a necromancer, sorcerer, enchanter.(a) 1375 Barb. iv. 242 (E).
The Erle Ferandis modyr was Nygramansour, and Sathanas Scho rasyt and him askyt [etc.] a1500 Colk. Sow i. 79.
A faynit nigramansour 1551 Hamilton Cat. 50.
All wytches, nigromanceris and siclike, workis be operatioun of the devil 1591 Crim. Trials I. ii. 244.
Nigromancear 1591 Reg. Privy C. IV. 644.
Nygromanceris 1600 Crim. Trials II. 219.
That he was a nigromancer … and a deep theologue(b) c1420 Wynt. iv. 365.
For scho oysid for till telle Thyngis sere before thai felle, As wychys dois or nycromancerys [C. nygramenseris, W. nygramanceris] 1563 Cal. Sc. P. II. 14.
Nycromantiers 1591 Crim. Trials I. ii. 243.
For consulting with Rychie Grahame, ane nicromanser Ib.
Nicromancear(c) 1492 Myll Spect. 279/1.
Vyrgill, the gret poyet & nygramessour a1538 Abell 6 a.
Fayr Medea Jasonis wife … was a niygramissure
