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.
Swesch(e, Swis(s, n.2 Also: Sweish, Swisch(e, Suiss(e, Swis(e. [e.m.E. Swiss(e (1515), Swice (1522), Swess(e (1535), Suiss(e (1608), F. Suisse (1558 in Larousse), MHG Swiz.] a. = Swisser n. a. b. = Swisser n. b.a. 1533 Boece 227.
Constantine … salit with the armye to Gallia for the tyme patent to iniuris of Vandalis and Sweschis [1821 Swissis; L. Sveuorum] tending to occupie the province 1572 Sat. P. xxxiii 50.
To Veneis is he gone, Or to the Swisches … Quhair he is saif from danger c1590 Fowler II 97/24.
And the Suisses be the lyke moyen … liues in a ful libertie 1602 Colville Paraenese Ep. 46.
Lyk as Sanct Crallus … did found that celeber monastry amang the Suisses 1604-9 Grahame Anat. Hum. 10.
A Polonian, a Sweish or a Flemingb. 1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 100.
The Suisses and Alemmands … findes only 3 good festes in France, … because al drinkes bitch full thess dayes 1678 Ravillac Redivivus 35.
Where the silver is, there are the Suisses 1681 Colvil Whig's Suppl. (1681) i 7.
The out-law Whiggs Without horse or artilȝery-pieces … thought to imitate the Swises