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.
Sous-, prefix. [ME sous(prior) (1297) (also in later borrowings from the French), F. sous- (late 10th c. in Larousse), L. subtus under, below.] a. Sous-dyke, ? a low-lying dyke; ? the lower part of a dyke. b. Sous-lieutenant (F., 1479 in Larousse; cf. 19th c. Eng. (1841)), the officer next below a lieutenant (Lieutenand n. 2) in rank. —a. 1575 Carrick Baillie Ct. 28 July.
For vpmaking of twa sous dykis of Bogend quhilk the said Robert tuk vpoun hand to big sufficiently —b. 1677 Lauder Notices Affairs I 154.
Major William Cockburne, sous-lieutenant of the King's troup
