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: 1490, 1549-1568
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Suspir, -yir, -er, n. [Late ME and e.m.E. suspiris pl. (c1450), suspire (1637), OF sospir (c1130 in Larousse), L. suspīrium, f. as Suspire,v.] A sigh (of distress). Also b. pl. ? Passing into: Distress, woe. — 1549 Complaynte of Scotland 70/35.
The quhilk reproche sche pronuncit vitht mony dolorus suspiris, the quhilk be aperens procedit fra ane trublit spreit a1568 Wedderburn in Bannatyne MS 287b/22.
With sobbis and sichis and mony ane suspyir Tormentand thair thy self in till ane trance —b. 1490 Irland Mir. I 115/15.
To schaw … the gret misere, susperis, murnyng and lang pennaunce that mankind lang tyme had lyin in
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"Suspir n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/suspir>
