A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Sibil(l, n. Also: sibyl(l, -ile, sybill, -yll. [ME and e.m.E. sibile (Cursor M.), sibille (Chaucer), OF sibile, med. L. sibilla, L. sibylla, f. the Gk.] One of certain women in antiquity reputed to possess powers of divination or prophecy. Also transf. —a1400 Leg. S. l 440.
Yhone sibile sang [ed. saug] … That was sa wis in tyl hir day c1420 Wynt. iv 2587.
Efftyr thare awysment Sybyll [C. Sibil, W. Sybill] Tyburtyne in hy He cald 1456 Hay I 43/24, 27.
Syne was thare in his tyme ane othir lady that was callit dame Sibill of Rome, quhilk was a prophetes, … and scho was callit Sibill Somian 1513 Doug. vi Prol. 70.
Oft by Sibilys [C. Sibilys, Ruddim. Sibyllis] sawis he [sc. Virgil] tonys his stevyn 1585 James VI Ess. 33.
Sybills tolde in verse, what was to come —transf. 1513 Doug. vi Prol. 145.
Thow art our Sibill, Crystis moder deir
