A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Principat, -ate, n. [ME and e.m.E. princi-, pryncipat(e (Rolle), L. principāt-us, F. principat (13th c. in Godef.).]
1. a. A princedom. = Principalité n. 1 c.1456 Hay I 217/3.
Bot se quha wan the daulphynage of Fraunce, or the principate off Orange [etc.]
b. The office or dignity of a prince or ruler; pre-eminence, headship.a1538 Abell 121 b.
Quha misknawis sanct Petir principat of the apostolis to be preferrit to all othir bischeprik
c. A prince or ruler or his dignity or pre-eminence.1540 Lynd. Sat. 1059 (Ch.).
Thus pepill follows, ay, thair principate [: intoxicate]
2. In plur., representing L. principātūs ‘sovereignties, princes’ in various passages of the Pauline epistles and taken as the designation of one of the nine orders of angels.Also in Nisbet after Purvey, e.g. Romans viii 38, also in sing., Ephes. i 21, Coloss. ii 10.1528 Lynd. Dreme 529.
In ordouris nyne thir spretis glorious … , The lawest ordoure ar of angelis brycht, … The secund ordour archangelis … , Uirtus, potestatis, principatis of renoun 1551 Hamilton Cat. 163.
At his rycht hand, in hevinly thingis, abone all the principattis, potestatis, vertewis and dominationis
