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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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About this entry:
First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Quotation dates: 1554-1661

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S(c)havel(l)ing, n. Also: shawel-, schawill-, shavill-, scawel-; schewell-; scheavelyng; schaifl-, shavling. [e.m.E. shaveling (1529); Schave v. and -ling.] A shaveling, a term applied, with contemptuous reference to the tonsure, to a member of the pre-Reformation clergy.Also, only in Pitsc., the (that) schaveling sort, = the schavin sort S(c)havin ppl. adj. 1.(1) 1554 Knox III 185.
Winchester and his schavellingis
c1562 Reeves Sc. Prose bef. 1600 80.
Certane quhait schawillingis … castand the mir and sence about the pepill
1563 G. Hay Confutation Abbot Crosraguel 81.
Oure masse mounging schauelinges
1563 Ferg. Answer in Tracts 12.
Impudent and shameles shavillinges that hunteth for riches
1563 Ferg. Answer in Tracts 20.
Shawelinges
1567 Gude and Godlie Ballatis 204.
His abbotis gat ane vncouth turne, Quhen schauelingis went to sack
1568 Lyndesay Pref. (STS) 401.
Thir … had bene sumtyme anoyntit schauelingis, markit with the beistis mark
1568 Ib. Adhort. 44.
Cum, schameles schauelingis of Sathanis senȝe
a1578 Pitsc. I 385/23.
Scawelingis
1581 Bk. Univ. Kirk II 516.
That Romane Antichrist … with all his shawelingis of syndrie sortes
a1599 Rollock Wks. II 514.
Shavelings
1638 Nat. Covenant in Facs. Nat. MSS III xcvii.
Shavelings
(b) c1568 Lauder Minor P. i 322.
Schaifling
(c) 1558-66 Knox I 191.
Scheavelynges
(2) a1578 Pitsc. II 141/24.
The bischopis with the haill schavelling sort
a1578 Ib. 174/14.
Bischoppis abboittis freiris munkis deanis [etc.] … and the rest of that schaveling sort
(b) a1578 Pitsc. II 284/8.
Schewelling

b. As a term of opprobrium, perhaps with specific reference to the custom of shaving the heads of certain offenders, esp. fornicators.1661 Dumfries Kirk S. 3 Jan.
The said Bessie … called the said Agnes Jacksone a thrawn-mouth'd shavling jade

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