A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1375-1488
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Spar, Spare, v.1 Also: sper. [ME and e.m.E. sperre(n (c1200), spere(n (Ancr. R.), sperre (Manning), sper, sparr (both Cursor M.), spar (a1400), spayr (c1400), spare (c1450), sparre (1484), MLG speren, MDu. sperren; Spar n.1] tr. a. To close, bar, secure (a gate, door, etc.). b. To confine (a person) in a prison, fetters, etc. c. To shut (a person) owt.a. 1375 Barb. v 390 (E).
The yhattis then he gert sper [C. thame spare] 1375 Barb. x 230.
It [sc. the wagon] wes set … Betuix the chekis of the ȝat Swa that men mycht it spar na gat 1375 Barb. x 464.
The wardane … sparryt the entre hastily a1400 Legends of the Saints xxxviii 187.
Scho rase, & agayne hyme can spare Dure and ȝetb. 1375 Barb. iv 14.
Thai stythly speryt [them] Bath in fetrys and in presounec. c1420 Wynt. viii 4949.
The portculys come downe … And sparyt Mwntagw thare-owt
d. Spardur, spare the dure, etc., as a nickname, or surname.1428 Exchequer Rolls IV 460.
Johannis Spardur 1429 Exchequer Rolls IV 495.
Per Georgeum Sparedur 1431 Exchequer Rolls IV 551.
Per Johannem Sparder 1434 Exchequer Rolls IV 586.
Per Johannem Spare the dur 1474 Treasurer's Accounts I 49.
To Spardure, passande with sic like lettres, to his expensis 1474 Treasurer's Accounts I 52.
Spardoure 1474 Treasurer's Accounts I 53.
Spardour 1488 Treasurer's Accounts I 91, etc.
To Sperdour to pas to Abirdene with letteris
