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.
Synd(e, v. P.t. syndit, seyndit. P.p. synd. [North. ME sind (a1350), north. e.m.E. synde (Cath. Angl.), of uncertain origin. Cf. ON synda to swim. Also in the later Sc. and north. Eng. dials.] a. tr. To rinse. b. fig. To wash (a person) clean (of sin). c. fig. To wash away, efface. d. intr. ? To drift or be washed away. —a. 1597–8 Misc. Spald. C. I 180.
The said Isobel … gatherit ane number of deid folkis baines, and seyndit thame in water 1632 Craig-Brown Selkirkshire I 450.
[Marion Scot, charged with washing clothes on Sunday] granted she wish on the Setterday and syndit them on the Sonday —b. 1456 Hay II 18/32.
To synde us of the origynale syn and to geve us eternale lyf —c. a1568 Scott xix 38.
Lufe is maid of sic ane kynd, That be na fors it may be synd —d. 1494 Loutfut MS 132a.
In passing of wattiris stratis & evil waiys the ost mon synd & scaill out of aray and sa may thai nocht sa weil defend thaim fra thair enemys
