A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Observar, -ear, -er, n. [e.m.E. observer (1555), -or. Appar. only Sc. in sense 1.]
1. The party who observes or keeps the terms of a contract as against the party who fails to do so.Only in the penalty clause of a contract and chiefly appositive with party.1612 Edinb. B. Rec. VI. 356.
The pairtie failyeand in any poynt … sall content and pay to the uther pairtie observar of the same the soume of twa hundreth pundis 1658 Rothesay B. Rec. 275.
The pairtie breaker is hearby obliedgit … to pay to the pairty observer and villing to performe the premises of fourtie punds money of penaltie 1663 Galloway P. 11 & 21 May.
The pertie observear 1675 Sutherland Chart. 212. 1676 Glasgow Chart. II. 187. 1680 Galloway P. 14 Apr.
The partie felier to pay the observer £50 Scots
2. One who observes or keeps (Sabbath, a festival day, etc.).1638 Henderson Serm. 6.
I ever kent you to be diligent observers of the Lord's day 1645 Acts Gen. Assembly 31 (13 Feb.).
Act for censuring the observers of Yuleday and other superstitious dayes
