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.
Phanatik, a. and n. Also: -ick, -ike. [e.m.E. fanatick, -ike, noun (c 1525), adj. (c 1534), also phanatique (Monk, 1659–60), L. fānāticus. Cf. F. fanatique.]
A. adj.
a. Of an action: Frenzied; furious.1533 Bell. Livy II. 97/34.
This vncouth and terribil buschement … ruschit … with phanatik and wod cours on thare inemyis
b. Of a person: Over-zealous in religious matters; prompted by excessive enthusiasm for a cause; fanatical.As in 17th c. England, applied dyslogistically to religious nonconformists, esp. to extremist Covenanters (or Cameronians).1598 James VI Basil. Doron 79/22.
Ye shall neuer finde … moe lies and vile perjuries then with these phanatick spirites [viz. Puritans] a1686 Turner Mem. 146.
If it were onlie these of the phanatick partie that blamd me for being accessorie to the late rebellion 1681 Acts 243/1.
All phanatick separatists from this national church 1683 Lauder Notices Affairs I. 426.
That fyne … for harboring Mr. Gabriel Semple ane phanatick minister
B. noun. An unreasoning enthusiast in religion; a zealot.Freq. applied to extremist Covenanters. See also b above.1664 Argyll-Lauderdale Lett. 5.
L. Lowdon … is a pretty man and I dare say no phanatike 1666 Dumfr. & Galloway Soc. XV. 145.
Altho I thought this cuntrie wer all phanaticks yett I never did expeckt [etc.] 1667 Laing MSS. I. 362.
I houp the peac now concluded will asswage the furie of our phanatickes ? 1674 Misc. Hist. Soc. I. 287.
I am vere glad to heir … that the phanatiks ar so quiet in Scotland 1681 Acts VIII. 244/1.
And to cut off all hopes from Papists and phanaticks of their being imployed in offices and places of publict trust a1686 Turner Mem. 145.
A partie of phanatikes both horse and foot … made me prisoner a1688 Wallace Orkney (ed. 2) 103.
He was shot … with a poisoned ball which by the phanaticks was designed for the archbishop
