A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1450-1501
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Psaltery, n. Also: psalt(t)- and -rie, -ry, -ree; souter. [ME and e.m.E. psautery (Rolle), -ry (a1529), psaltery (1607), also sautre (a1300), -ie, -iȝe, sawtrey, ‘A learned form from L. for the name of the instrument, after sautier had become confined to the Psalter’ (OED); OF saltere, sautere, sauterie, psalterie (12th c. in Godef.), L. psaltērium, f. the Gk.] A psaltery, the ancient and mediæval stringed instrument.See also Plastro(u)n.c1450-2 Howlat 757 (A).
The psaltery, the sytholis, the soft sytharista1500 Sir Eger 265 (P).
Shee laid a souter [H. plastroun] vpon her knee, Theron shee plaid full loue somlye 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 505.
Sytholl, psalttrie [L. psalttry], and voices sweit as bell 1501 Ib. 804.
Sum had ane harp, and sum a fair psaltrie [L. psaltree]
