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.
Quotation dates: 1570-1651
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Surceance, -ceans, Sourceans, n. [e.m.E. surseaunce (1523), -ceaunce (a1548), -seance (1579), OF surséance (early 14th c. in Larousse).] (A) cessation or postponement of hostilities, laying down of arms. Chiefly in the phrase surceance of (from) arms. Cf. Surceas(e n. — 1570 Southesk MSS 12.
And in the mean tyme ane surceans and abstinens to be takyn, with layenge doun armes on all sides 1570-3 Bann. Trans. 233.
A desyre of sourceans of armes may be had on both sydes 1622–3 Mar & Kellie MSS Suppl. 151.
To treate for the delyverye of Frankindell … and a surceance from airmes for a good long tyme a1651 Calderwood III 98.
That there be a surceance of armes on both sides
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"Surceance n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/surceance>
