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.
Plural(l, -ale, a. [ME. and e.m.E. plurel (Piers Plowman), -al (1387), -elle, -all, in sense a below, also = containing, or pertaining to, more than one (1591). See also Plurar a.] a. Applied to grammatical ‘number’: Denoting more than one. Also ellipt. b. Of a cleric: Plural in, having more than one (benefice). —a. ? 1531 Grant Burgh Schools 54.
The plurale nowmyr spekis of ma things pluraly, as hi (= ) thir men 1571 Ferg. Serm. iii Malachi Sig. D ii b.
In the plurall number —1531 Vaus (1531) 2.
How mony nowmeris is thare in ane nowne? … ane singulare & ane plurale c1616 Hume Orthog. 27.
Plural —b. a1538 Abell 57 a.
Kirk men plurall in benifice
