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.
Quotation dates: 1560-1686
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Silence, v. [Silenc(e n. Cf. e.m.E. silence (1597).]
1. intr. To be or become silent, to cease speaking. 1560 Rolland Seven Sages 986.
The heralds bad [pr. had] sone silence all and ceis 1586–7 Warrender P. (SHS) I 266.
Then wes he villing to silence for ony forder molesting hir mynd
b. tr. To cause (a person) to be silent, to prevent (a person) speaking or expressing an opinion. 1618 Misc. Spald. C. II 160.
Some proponed that ane moderator might be chosin, whom he silenced, becaus he wald not suffer the priviledge of his place to be questioned
2. tr. To cause (a minister of religion) to cease preaching, etc., to deprive (him) of his ecclesiastical charge. 1659 Orkney Rentals App. 58.
[There was a synod held in June 1658 at Kirkwall when Mr. Douglas, the minister, was] silenced [and the charge seems to have continued vacant for a considerable time] 1684 Lauder Notices Affairs II 492.
At Privy Counsell Mr. William Ecclesse, one of the indulged ministers being conveined for preaching … without his parish … was silenced and deprived 1686 Lauder Notices Affairs II 709.
Mr. Alexander Ramsay, minister of Edinburgh, was also at this tyme silenced by the bischop … but afterwards he was reponed
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"Silence v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/silence_v>
