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: 1460-1586, 1650-1651
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Paramour(i)s, n. Also: parr-, per(r)-. [ME. (c 1350) and e.m.E. paramours. Cf. Paramourisadv. and Paramo(u)r n.] a. Love, esp. sexual love. = Paramo(u)r n. 1. b. A lover. = Paramo(u)r n. 2.In some instances, perh. the plural of Paramo(u)r n. 2.a. (1) 1513 Doug. iv. Prol. 147.
Heir is na paramouris [Sm. per-] fund, bot all haitrent 1535 Stewart 46768. 1535 Ib. 58283.
The quhilk to hir of paramouris that spak 1560 Rolland Seven Sages 4806.
Ȝoung wemen … Thocht ȝe think pryde of paramouris [etc.] a1568 Bannatyne MS 157 b/11.
He is so glaid & so licht & full of perramouris a1568 Ib. 269 a/8.
Sic perrell lyis in paramouris a1568 Ib. 287 b/40.
For paramouris in ald men is dottage(2) c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 18473.
With quhom lang tyme in paramouris he was a1500 Henr. Fab. 506 (Bann.).
Our lemmane … In paramouris he wald do ws plesing a1570-86 Maitland Folio MS liv. 4.
He luiffit that prowde in paramouris a1651 Calderwood VIII. 272.
He was in paramours with the Ladie Burleighb. c1515 Asloan MS II. 295/14.
Ane bischope quhilk had to his parramouris ane nvn 1535 Stewart 35814.
Ane fair ȝoung man Hir peramouris quhilk in the tyme wes than 1540 Lynd. Sat. 3404. 1560 Rolland Seven Sages 7313.
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"Paramours n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/paramouris>
