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: 1597-1610
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Peccant, a. [e.m.E. (1604) sinning, unhealthy.] Of a ‘humour’: Morbid; harmful to the health. Also fig. — 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 72/2.
A goode phisitiane quha man first knau quhat peccant humouris his patient naturallie is maist subiect unto 1600-1610 Melvill 146.
A melancolique purgation quhilk wrought lang … evidentlie be the cullor kything the peccant humour — 1597 James VI Dæmonol. 45.
He [sc. the Devil] knowes … what humor domines … and … can subtillie walken vp the same, making it peccant
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"Peccant adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/peccant>
