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.
Singing, vbl. n. Also: singynge, synging, -yng, singin, syngyn(e, senggyn. [ME and e.m.E. singing (Cursor M.), syngyng (Piers Plowman), syngyn (1484); Sing v.1] The action of singing, in various senses of Sing v.1
1. The singing of (mainly, secular) songs as a pastime; an instance of this.(1) a1400 Leg. S. ii 819.
And of the syngyne … cuth he mar Thane all the me[n]stralis a1500 Colk. Sow Prol. 11.
Quhen riallest … Ar assemblit … With namit folkis of he nobilite Thair talk … Is oft singing and sawis of solace a1500 Peblis to Play 3.
At Beltane quhen ilk bodie bownis To Peblis to the play To heir the singin and the soundis 1533 Boece 152b.
The multitude … vsing in thare maner singing, plesand noyis and soundis a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. 37/4.
Quhair is the blythnes that hes bein … Daunsing singing game and play a1578 Pitsc. I 163/7.
He delyttit … in singing and playing wpoun instrumentis [etc.] 1590 Burel Pilgr. i 307.
Sick singing and springing, Is irksum to the eir 1697 Renfrewshire Witches 84.
That she distinctly remembered her miscarriages, and, in special, her singing and dancing(2) 1491 Treas. Acc. I 184.
For the singyn of a ballat to the kingproverb. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1647.
Weale never a girdle be the ringing, nor a widow be her singing
b. The art of singing, as a subject taught in school.1593 Edinb. B. Rec. V 106.
Mr. Jhonn Chalmer … to hald ane schole of reiding, writting, singing and playing upoun instruments 1593 Edinb. B. Rec. V 106.
For onelie singing ten schillings … for playing onelie but singing twenty schillings [etc.]
2. specif. The singing of sacred music, the mass, etc., in the pre-Reformation church; an instance of this. See also Plain adj.1 8 c for further examples. b. Prikit singing: See Prikkit ppl. adj. c.1512 Treas. Acc. IV 377.
At the first mes singing in the Kingis litill bark callit Gabriell 1537 Lynd. Depl. Magd. 172.
Sic Chapell Royall, with sic instrumentis, And craftie musick, singing frome the splene, In this countre was neuer hard nor sene 1537 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I 413.
Sex bernis … sall syng the said anteme … in plaine singynge one ilk feriall day 1539 Glasgow Prot. IV 118.
The said maister and bairnis, efter the syngyng of ane gloriosa nychtlie [etc.] 1553–4 Edinb. B. Rec. II 348.
To thre preists for singing of the Passioun on Palme Sonday 1570 Reg. Privy S. VI 179/2.
[Lands … formerly pertaining … to the chantry priests of Dunkeld] now vakand be ressoun the singing of the saidis preistis ceassis 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. ii 27b.
Lands given and disponed for singing, or for licht in the kirk [etc.]b. c1500 Coll. St. Salvator 159 (see Prikkit ppl. adj. c).
Senggyn
3. The twittering or warbling of birds.a1500 Seven S. 2642.
He of augur has cunnyng In birdis voce and thair syngyng c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 520.
The sueit savour of the sward, [and] singing of foulis
