A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Sumptuous, adj. Also: sumptuos, -uus, -u(o)is, -ous, -ewous, -e(o)us, -ious, suumptuous; sumtuous. [e.m.E. sumptuous (Caxton), sumptious (1550), sumtuous (1590), sumptuos (1639), OF sumptueux (1342 in Larousse), L. sumptuōsus.]
1. Of clothes, buildings, etc.: Made or produced at great expense, costly. Passing into: Splendid, luxurious. Also b. transf., of the labour or preparations involved.With pejorative connotations of being wasteful and extravagant.(a) 1457 Acts II 49/1.
The realme in ilk estate is gretumly puryt throu sumptuos clething baith of men and wemen c1460 Thewis Gud Women 31.
In hire cleithinge, … Nocht our-costlyk, na sumptewous, To mak vthir at hire inwyous a1500 Bernardus 267.
Sumpteus biggyne inordinat and hee 1513 Doug. v Prol. 11.
Wantoun gallandis to trayl in sumptuus wedis 1533 Boece 52. 1549 Compl. 145/27.
At that tyme there vas no sumpteous clethyng of fine claytht 1552 Aberd. B. Rec. I 279.
That the lordis of Bonaccord … hase maid our mony grit, sumpteous, and superfleous banketing 1573-1600 Burne Disput. in Cath. Tr. 138/28.
To buyld maist sumptuous and magnifict kirkis 1587 Dundee B. Laws 480.
For ewacuatioun off the sumptous bancattis that the prentisis makis the tyme thai ar admittit maisteris 1595 Glasgow Presb. in Misc. Maitl. C. I 74.
Johne sall mak na banquettis dennar or ony kynd of sumptuous cheir at the baptisme of his barne a1633 Hope Major Pract. I 26.
Quhen the fewars or tacksmen of manses or gleibs hes maid sumptuous buildings therupon they may retein the samen 1684 Lauder Notices Affairs II 538.
Many other things ware spoke of as sumptuous and prodigall, viz. weemen's laced shoes; mo tyres of freinges on ther petticoats than one [etc.](b) c1576 Anal. Scot. II 8.
He … wes burreit in the auld College Kirk, in ane sumtuous towmeb. 1531 Bell. Boece I 140.
He reparit and biggit it with sa crafty and sumptuus lauboure, that it apperit unwinnabill 1573 Reg. Privy C. II 267.
The said Robert maid greit and sumptuous preparatiounis of victuallis, meit and drink 1588 Ayr Chart. 56.
It being considerit be ws that the … reparing of the saidis decayit warkis wilbe swa sumpteous and chargeabill that [etc.]
2. Of expenses, etc.: Substantial; exorbitant.attrib. 1376 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I 120.]
[Consideratis etiam sumptuosis expensis quas in dicta terra edificia construendo exposuit 1513 Doug. xi vi 6.
Alhaill was lost Thar lang travale and maist sumptuus cost [L. magnas preces] 1530 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 339.
The summonding of the kingis liegis to pas apoune thair assisis quhilk drawis thame to sumptuous and grete expens c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2203.
Payntours [etc.] … Maid imagis … And sauld thame for ane sumptuous pryce 1566 Reg. Privy S. V ii 222/1.
Robert, commendatar of Haliruidhous, hes sustenit sic sumptious chargis … that he is nocht abill to continew langar in his former tryne 1574 Comm. Univ. III App. 188.
Nane sall ly abak, throw sumptuous expenssis of auld accustomat at the making of the Theological actis 1583–4 Perth B. Ct. 7 Feb.
Be ressone of the said executor far distance fra the burght of Edinburght … the coist and sumptuois expensis culd nocht guidlie be haid 1596 Dalr. II 7/33.
Thay cause … a fair and plesand palise in Antwerpe to be erected with sumpteous, gret, and large expensespredic. 1580–1 Reg. Privy C. III 347.
The charge of keping of Liddisdale … wilbe verie suumptuous to him
b. Of spending: Extravagant.1550 Dundee B. Ct. II 5b (14 Oct.).
Alexander Clerke & Elesebeth Stevinsone beand banneist … for … pykrye & ressat & gryt sumptuos spending be nygcht
3. transf. Involving the incurring of expense; wasteful of money (? and time). Also const. to.Freq. in collocation with tedious, suggesting a waste of time as much as money.(1) 1531 Bell. Boece I cx.
Perdition Of commoun weill be bullis sumptuus 1542 Acts II 423/2.
It war baith tedious and sumpteous … to abide … tharupoune c1556 Edinb. Hammermen 192b.
At this tyme all thingis concerning begin wes mervalus deyr and sumptuis for mony divers causis 1567 Anderson Collect. Mary I 107.
The gentilman may be fre of his lang and sumptuous captivitie 1581 Acts III 223/1.
The pleyis and actionis … hes bene swa tedious, sumpteus, and langsum, that verie few … ar brocht to ane guid end 1591 Reg. Privy C. IV 700.
The said complenair being a puir strangeair alreddy havelie interest and prejugeit be the lang and sumptuous persute of his said debt will now be utterlie wracked 1622-6 Bisset II 352/10.
Beand … asked … quhat moved him … to stay his sua sumptuous a jornay and purpoise 1632 Lithgow Trav. iii 114.
This tributary, tedious and sumptuous peregrination(2) 1537 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 460.
Particaular diettis of justice courtis hes bene sa frequent … quhilk hes bene rycht tedius, nevsom and sumptuus to all our soverane lordis legis 1551–2 Reg. Privy C. I 119.
Being rememberit of the … bigging of the fort … and strenthing thairof with men and munitioun … and that the samyn is sumptuous to his Majesty and nocht necessar to be kepit now 1555 15th Rep. Hist. MSS App. ix 21.
Forsamekle as our souerane lady, … hes our plageis in syndrie castellis for guid reule to be keipit in the cuntre, quhilk is tedius and veray sumptuous to us, and [we] may nocht guidlie susteine the expense thairof 1593 Acts IV 28/2.
That the suting of lettrez conforme is baith sumpteous to the persewar and hindersum 1597 Edinb. B. Rec. V 199.
[The council] fynds that the forme of thair nichtlie watche … hes bene sumptuous to the saids nichtboures and nathing stedabill to the toun
4. Of persons: Involving others in expense; expensive to provide for or maintain.1617 Aberd. Council Lett. I 146.
That … ye use the moyen that na Inglishe nobillmen cume heir for we ar evill provydit for thame, nather is thair viveris heir to be had … and gif thay cum … they will be too sumptious for the towne
