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.
Quotation dates: <1375, 1375, 1581-1593
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Ostiar, n. [L. ostiār-ius: cf. e.m.E. hostiary (15th c.), ostiary (17th c.).] a. A doorkeeper. b. The lowest of the minor orders in the Catholic Church. —a. 1248 Acts I. 74/1.
[A. Hostiario (Durwart) Justiciario Scocie 1264 Exchequer Rolls I. 3.
Alanus hostiarius 1581 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 221.]
Him that sall be ostearius that owlk to collect the said vnlawes, keip the boxe … and delyuer the sam to the nixt ostearius of the nixt owlk 1588 Exchequer Rolls XXI. 371.
To James Purdie, ostiar of the chekker 1592–3 Ib. XXII. 308.
To Johnne Purdie, ostiar of the checker hous duir for his … laubourisb. 1588 King Catechism 109.
Lat him first be ostiar, secundlie lecteur, nixt an exorcist [etc.]
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"Ostiar n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/ostiar>
