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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.

Sin, Syn, v. Also: sine, syne, sinne, synne. [ME sinne, synne (Cursor M.), syn (1422) (earlier sun(e)ge(n, singe(n, etc.), p.p. also sunget (Piers Plowman), sunnyd (1426), e.m.E. sin (Shakespeare), OE syngian.] intr. To commit sin, act sinfully.pres. a1400 Leg. S. xxix 19.
Quhen he mycht syne nomare a1400 Leg. S. xl 55.
[He] held his fles vndirloute, For dred it suld … gere hym syne, Or let hyme hewinly med to wyn c1420 Wynt. v 5295.
The Devill askyd than, ‘Quhy God let Adam … And Eve syne [C. syn] in Paradyce? a1500 Henr. Fab. 1131 (Bann.).
Think on thine end, thow sall nocht gladlye syn 1490 Irland Mir. I 49/8.
Thai that synnys eftir thar bapteme gettis nocht grace agane 14… Edinb. Univ. MS La.ii.318.
As a man … May syn dedly on other maner 1567 G. Ball. 28.
God grant ilk man, … To sin na mair a1578 Pitsc. II 69/17.
He that sineth is bund witht sin a1585 Maitland Maitl. Q. 79/60.
With firme purpois to syne no mair 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 26/7.
Thinke not … that … youre dignitie … giues you a licence to sinne 1666 Laing MSS 349.
I most say I should think it best to sin not to resent things of this kyndp.t. a1400 Leg. S. iii 122.
I that synnyt as wekit man 1490 Irland Mir. I 65/12.
This was said eftir the man synnyt 1490 Irland Mir. I 158/11, etc. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (STS) ix 73 (B).
I synnyt, Lord! a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1825) 72.
Bot the bishop replyit, that the preist synnit deadlie to ley upoun him, wha knew nathing of that materp.p. 1490 Irland Mir. I 65/8.
He had synnit & deit 1567 G. Ball. 37.
The sone said, Father, of greit micht, I knaw that I haif sinnit soir

b. Const. aganis, contrar (a person, a virtue, etc.), in (a vice).(1) c1490 Irland Asl. MS 54/13.
Aganis this heve[n]ly & hie werteu synnis mony peple c1490 Irland Asl. MS 8/32.
I haue synnit aganis ȝour hienes brekand ȝour law 1533 Gau 14/4, etc. 1567 G. Ball. 36.
I haif bene to bauld Sinnand contrair the heuin and thé(2) a1400 Leg. S. iii 168.
Scho me fandyt besily To syne with hyr in lichory c1450 Cr. Deyng 259.
That in cas he mend of that seknes, that he sal neuir wylfully syne in thai synis c1490 Irland Asl. MS 8/23.
He that trastis vtherway … synnis hevely in heresye c1490 Irland Asl. MS 72/12.
I haue synnit in glutony etand & drinkand oure mesoure c1500-c1512 Dunb. (STS) ix 113 (B).
I synnit in consaving thochtis jolie 1588 King Cat. 145.
I wald to God men sinnit nocht now herein

c. In Leg. S.: To have sexual intercourse with. a1400 Leg. S. xviii 531.
Gyf that sum war in that fare That with me wald nocht gladly syn a1400 Leg. S. xxxi 312.
Quhare thru sic luf scho kist til Hyme, that to syn with hym scho had wil