A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Sage, n.2 Also: seage. [ME and e.m.E. sage (14th c.), saugys pl. (c1440), OF sage (1080 in Larousse. Cf. Sage adj.] A sage, a man of great wisdom; one of the ‘seven sages of Rome’ of mediaeval romance.a1500 Seven S. title.
Heir begynnis the buke of the sevyne sagis Ib. 38.
Than rais the secound sage full raith Ib. 20, etc. c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus ii 968.
I haif bene … at the seuin seages of sapience Id. Seven S. title-page.
The seuin seages … with ane louing and laude to euerie doctour efter his awin tale a1570-86 Maitl. F. 421/84.
Quhen syt and sorrow seimis superlatiwe Sagis suld seim leist sucius and sorie