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.
(Suthesayer,) Suth sayar, Suithsayer, n. Also: suithsayar, soothsayer. [ME and e.m.E. zoþ ziggere (Ayenbite), soth-seggere (1381), sothseiere (Gower), sothsayer (c1491), soothsayer (Shakespeare); Suth(e n. and Sayar n.1]
1. One who speaks the truth, or who can be relied upon to be truthful.1494 Loutfut MS 15a.
Becaus … verite is the principale thing of noblesse cotis of armes ar maid to that significacioun … The herauldis officiaris of armes ald tymes war callit the suth sayaris for the nam of thair cottis
2. One who claims to be able to foretell the future.1560 Rolland Seven S. 5098.
We ar spa men, suithsayaris and deuinouris, To serue ȝour grace, and als ȝour counsallouris 1560 Rolland Seven S. 5207.
He … said thai war maist trew Of suithsayaris, that euer he ȝit knew 1560 Rolland Seven S. 5312.
[They] schew to me that thay war suithsayaris, Bot now I se that thay ar all greit dissaueris 1587 Carmichael Etym. 25.
Suithsayer 1596 Dalr. I 217 marg.
Merlin ane soothsayer or foreteller of thingis to cum or inchanter 1649 Argyll Synod I 153.
The severall brethren in the parishes to take tryall of all witches, … secound sighted divyners, soothsayers, nicromancers, consulters with spirits and such lyke 1667 Strathendrick 10.
Anent ane scandell verifyed upon him for going to Edinburgh to … ane sooth sayer
