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.
Standar, -er, n. [Late ME standere (1456), e.m.E. stander (1545); Stand v.] One who or that which stands, in senses 1, 4, 36 a and ? b of Stand v., specif. a. In apposition, characterising the elephant (understood as incapable of lying down). b. A soldier, prepared for or engaged in, battle. c. Appar. a student at St. Andrews University acting as a servant to another (better provided) student. d. With by: A bystander, spectator. Also fig. an adherent. —a. c1409-1436 Kingis Q. § 156.
The standar oliphant; The wyly fox … The clymbare gayte [etc.] —b. 1638 Adamson Muses Thr. I 54.
Witness these standers That bear the Roman Eagle, great commanders Of most part of the globe —c. 1642 Comm. Univ. III (St. A.) App. 206.
That nether poore scollers and standers be depryved of there necessary maintenance, nor others be too much burdened with there sustentation, it is ordained, that in the colledges of Philosophy … there be receaved on stander at most to serve tuo sitters at the second masse and that it be not permitted hereafter that every secondar have his own stander 1642 Comm. Univ. III (St. A.) App. 206 marg.
At the table, tuo sitters sal have but on stander —d. 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 399.
It is my aim … that my furnace … may sparkle fire upon standers-by, to the warming of their hearts with God's love 1681 Colvil Whig's Suppl. I 60.
Some … Crying, I'm damn'd, till they grew hoarse, And made the standers by admira To see them —1600-1610 Melvill 688.
The dint … will lycht on the Kirk … and standeres by of the same
