A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Sincer(e, adj. Also: -ceir(e, -ceare, -seire, syncere, -ceir, -ceare, sencer, -ceir, -cear, senseir, cenceir. [e.m.E. sincere (1533), syncere (1536), sincer (1539), sinceare (a1699), F. sincère (1475 in Larousse), L. sincēr- clean, pure, sound.]
1. Of religious teaching, doctrine, etc.: Pure, sound; unadulterated.1540 Lynd. Sat. 1151.
Chrystis word … [is] Ane springand well of sinceir veretie c1552 Lynd. Mon. 74.
Mak thaim requeist quhilk hes the gouernance The sinceir word of God for tyll auance 1562-3 Winȝet I 55/26.
Brutall irreligiositie, and damnable errouris, as now regnis in the place of syncere veritie and trew Catholik religioun 1562-3 Winȝet I 97/30.
That thai be na preist nor minister admittit … bot sik that may instruct the peple be hale and syncere doctrine c1568 Lauder Minor P. i 192.
To perseueir Under the reull of God[i]s wourd sinceir 1558-66 Knox II 264.
Synceare 1596 Dalr. I 106/23.
The pure and sinceir lycht of the religione 1615 Chron. Kings 33.
He gaiff werry gude example of senseir religioun 1622-6 Bisset II 148/1.
Considder … how slaw and louk warme we are now in tyme of … senceir teiching of the blissed evangell 1622-6 Bisset II 342/17.
Cenceir
2. Genuine, unfeigned; real, true.1533 Boece 46b.
Pece … mycht nowdir be sikkir nor permanent quhare reif is mare estymyit than sincere lawtie 1584 Perth Hammermen iii*.
The Lord bliss all the cumpanie, With sincere luf and cheretie 1603 Moysie 27.
Vpricht and sinseire zeale without hypocretie 1622-6 Bisset I 84/26.
To be remembred … for senceir, æfauld and glaid concurrance to perfyte this wark 1629 Justiciary Cases I 106.
Under sencer and volunter confessioun unextortit 1673 Bonckle Kirk S. 46.
Intimatione was made for celibratione of the holy comunione … and the peopell exorted to a holy and sencear preparatione
3. Free from dissimulation or intent to deceive; honest, straightforward. a. Of actions or intentions. b. Of persons, or their attributes.a. 1570 Bann. Memor. 27.
The particular persones which … misconstrie the nobilities sinceir and honourabill intentiounes 1596 Lett. & St. P. Jas. VI 16.
Being debarrit of ȝour maisties presence, … all my sincer and vprycht intentiouns haif bein sinistrouslie exponit 1609 Crim. Trials II 577.
His conscience … and his reputatioun for sinceir deilling 1610 Misc. Hist. Soc. II 200.
My father his dealings sal appeir sincer … & his endis & midis lauful & honestb. a1570-86 Maitl. F. 24/3.
Off thy grit grace grant ws thy licht With hairt and mynd sinceir a1570-86 Maitl. F. 434/11.
Schaw thy self bayth sage scharpe & sinceir 1570 Sat. P. xxiii 10. a1578 Pitsc. I 60/15.
Neutral men of sinceir and goode conscience c1590 J. Stewart 262 § 246.
Synceir 1590 Warrender P. (SHS) II 135.
It is manifest this warre … is intended against all the sincere professouris of Christ his trueth 1596 Dalr. I 191/8.
The mynd of Angusian being sinceir and plane, alluret and wan the hartes of al c1610 Melville Mem. 89.
Thus way can God be his devyn provydence … turn all to the best vnto them that serues him with a sencer hart 1638 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 166.
Some of the most sinceare ministers, God's faithfull servands c1679 Kirkton Hist. 59.
Yet was it at that time high læse majesty to doubt he was any other thing than a sincere covenanter
