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: 1375-1637, 1688
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Sworn(e, ppl. adj. Also: suorne, sorne. [ME and e.m.E. sworen (c1250), sworn (1433); Swer(e v.]
1. Of persons: Bound by oath to give allegiance (to another). Also with possessive pronoun.1375 Barb. vii 266.
As scho deuisit, thai haue done, His sworn men becom thai sone c1420 Wynt. viii 4058.
Thare ras a gret dissensyown Be Edward the Ballyoll then, And lordis that ware his sworne men a1538 Abell 119a.
The erll of Angus sworn Inglis man
2. Bound by oath to serve in a particular function or capacity (freq. defined by the following noun). Also fig.14.. Regiam Majestatem c. 107.
The sworne mene of assise 14.. Regiam Majestatem c. 128.
To the principal restitucone to that is to be recouerit agayn gif forsuth to the sacrament of xii suorne men it be pruffyt that [etc.] 1445 Aberd. B. Rec. I 14.
They sal sell na flesche quhill it be prisit be the sworne prisaris 1478 Glasgow Chart. I ii 68.
An sworne officiar of the said court to pas with him to the said grunde 1500–1 Cart. S. Nich. Aberd. 340.
It was deliuerit be ane sworne assise … that [etc.] 1509–10 Edinb. B. Rec. I 128.
Admittit thairto … be the sworne maisteris of the said craft 1516 Reg. Cupar A. I 291.
The quhilk we gert met with thre suorne men 1520 Fife Sheriff Ct. 176.
My sone and Thomas Grundiston my sworne deputtis to fensse ane schiref court at … Coupere 1533 Mill Mediæval Plays 125.
Sorne 1548 Stirling B. Rec. I 54.
Every brouster sall … charge the ballie … to cum and bring suorne cunneris with him 1577–8 Glasgow Chart. II App. 559.
Be cutt or casting of cavillis as it salhappin to fall and be devydit be sycht of the suorne men of the warde and ane mettar 1623 Forbes Baron Ct. 277 n.
The saidis tennentis to be suorne frosteris 1625 Justiciary Cases I 31.
Suorne 1688 Hawick Arch. Soc. (1868) 36/1.
[They did] ordeine John Hardie … and John Tudhope … two ordinary sworne burleymenfig. 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 509.
I am Christ's sworn dyvour, to whom He will lippen nothing
3. a. Of a thing: Affirmed by an oath as to accuracy or certainty of execution; to which one is bound by an oath. b. Of a person: Having vowed to behave in the manner implied in the noun.a. 1513 Doug. ii iii 26.
Leiffull is now to brek … The sworn promys that I to Grekis maid 1552 Edinb. B. Rec. II 170.
A sworne inventour of the gudis of all thame that deis in ȝour fredome suld be brocht in before ȝow be the intromittourisb. a1578 Pitsc. I 48/21.
Johnne Gormak ane Atholl man ane of the principall suorne tyrantis to the Earle of Douglas
