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: 1588-1632
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Surmiser, Surmysar, n. [e.m.E. surmowser (c1515), surmiser (1542); Surmise v.] a. One who makes unfounded allegations, a (false) accuser. b. One who makes (false) surmises or conjectures. —a. 1588–9 Reg. Privy C. IV 358.
[Jesuits, seminary priests, etc.] crafty and politique heidis, … surmysaris and forgearis of leyis amangis sum of the nobilitie —b. 1632 Lithgow Trav. viii 339.
Let not surmisers thinke, ambition led My second toyles more flash-flowne praise to wed
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"Surmiser n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/surmiser>
