A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Reverend, -ent, adj. Also: rewer-, rewar- and -ende, -and; -ant; -ane. [ME and e.m.E. reverent (Wyclif), reuerend (1449), OF and MF reverent, révérend (13th c. and 1538 in Larousse), L. reverendus, also reverent(issimus) superl., f. reverērī.] Deserving respect, deference or veneration on account of position, status, character, achievement, etc. Also absol. and transf.In earliest use, and freq. in the pre-Reformation period, employed in respectful references to, also in addressing, prelates, later also other clergy.(1) 1395 MacRae Early Sc. Texts No. 4.
A reuerend man and a discret Maystyr Water Trayl beschop of Sanct Andro c1405 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 59.
A reuerend fadir the Abbot of Calkow 1434–5 Reg. St. A. 423.
A reuerende fader in Crist Jamys thru the mercy of God priour of Sanctandrum 1448 Reg. Episc. Brechin. I 113. 1456 Edinb. B. Rec. I 15.
Rewarend 1482–3 Acta Conc. II cix.
The maist reverend fader in God, William, Archbishop of Sanctandros 1494 Loutfut MS 10a.
Til ane abbot reuerend fader in God & my richt deir lord 1524 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I 390. 1533 Boece 524.
In the librare of Gilbert the reuerend bischop 1568 Q. Mary Facs. Nat. MSS III lviii.
Reuerend fader and traist cousigne and counsalour, we greit yow weill 1569 Canongate Ct. Bk. 87. 1647 Comm. Gen. Assembly I 211.
For their reverend and loving brethren the Commissioners of the Kirk of Scotland at London 1657 Sc. Ant. XIII 35.
The five sessions hath referred it to the reverend ministers to … consult anent the fittest tyme for the … holy Communion 1663 Alford Rec. 26.
The right reverend father in God Alexander, … lordbishope of Aberdene 1701 Cramond Kirk S. IV 14 March.
The Reverend Mr. William Hamilton minister at Cramond(b) 1389 Wemyss Chart. 24.
The selys of reuerand faddrys into Crist(c) 1398–9 Liber Melros II 488.
Til the reverent fadir in Crist David Abbot of Melros 1402 Dundee Chart. No. 22.
Reuerentz fadr[i]s in Cryst, Matheu Bysshape of Glascu [etc.] 1494 Loutfut MS 9b.
Ane archbischop suld be salust sayand rycht reuerent fader in God 1674 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 205.
Ane reverant faither in God vmquhill George Bischope of Edinburgh(d) 1509 Rec. Earld. Orkney 82.
Ane rewerane fardyr in God, Adward, bysschop of Orknay(2) 1646 Comm. Gen. Assembly I 11.
For the Right Reverent the Generall Assemblie of the Kirk of Scotland 1668 Sc. Ant. V 15.
The foresaid reverend assemblie … grantes libertie [etc.](3) 1458 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III 325.
Reuerendis nobille and worschipfull lordis of parliament I … protestis [etc.] 1473–4 Treas. Acc. I 1.
Befor richt reuerendis, mychti and noble lordis of oure sade souerane lordis counsale a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 402.
He is the riallest roy, reuerend and rike a1500 Colk. Sow iii 2.
With … correctioun of ȝour reuerend maisterschippis c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 253.
O reverend Chausere rose of rethoris all Ib. (O.U.P.) 103/6.
Our roys riale, most reverent vnder croune Ib. 109/1. 1513 Doug. 1 Prol. 3.
Right reverend and serene Lord 1522–3 Edinb. B. Rec. I 210.
In presens of richt reuerand nobill and michti lordis 1560 Rolland Seven S. 3998.
Thir seuin sa reuerent and riche a1568 Bann. MS 249b/27.
Than will my reuerend lady on me rewabsol. a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 1091.
Schir Gawyne … said to the reuerend, riche and rightuis [etc.](4) transf. 1531 Bell. 1531 Boece I 156.
The preistis come … in thair maist reverend habitis
