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.
(Sinoper,) Synoper, n. Also: synopeir, -par(e, synaper, -par, -pir, sinapir, senopir. [Late ME zinopre (Lydgate), synopre (c1450), e.m.E. synoper (1510), sinoper (1565), synapour (1573), synaper (1688), OF sinopre (c1138 in Larousse) (F. sinople), L. sinōpis, f. the Gk.]
1. Some indeterminate shade of the colour red.Appar. ‘reddish-brown’ in the Doug. quot., unless there is confusion here with cinnamon.1494 Loutfut MS 148 b.
He beris gold synoper & goulis profes 1513 Doug. xii Prol. 57.
Fyschis … With fynnys schynand brovn as synopar 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 1112.
Hir moste heuinly hewis, gold, asure, gowles, purpour, and synopeir
2. A type of red earth used as a pigment. Also synapir de layk, ? = pigment obtained by the combination of ‘sinoper’ with an animal, vegetable or coal-tar colouring matter (see OED Lake n.6 3).(1) 1501 Treas. Acc. II 63.
Bocht to David Prat, payntour … ij unce synapir xvj d. 1502 Treas. Acc. II 69.
Sinapir 1505–6 Treas. Acc. III 184.
Synapar 1507 Treas. Acc. IV 87.
Synaper 1514 Rentale Dunkeld. (SHS) 236.
[2 oz.] lie okment, [2 oz.] lie senopir(2) 1506 Treas. Acc. III 201.
Half ane vnce synapir de layk v s.
