Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

Tonsour(e, -ure, n. [ME and e.m.E. tonsure (Trevisa), tonsour (c1450, north.), F. tonsure, med. L. tonsura.] (A) tonsure. — 12… Reg. Episc. Aberd. II 8.]
[Vicarij quoque et sacerdotes … tonsuram deferant congruentem c1420 Wynt. v 1068.
He ordanyd clerkys … To schawe thare berde and were tonsoure [W. tonsure] 1490 Irland Mir. III 88/11.
To seuer and disting the clerkis fra the laif … is the tonsour and schawin in the heid … that is … a takin … and attestacioun of thaim that gevis thame to the seruice of God c1500 Fyve Bestes 211.
To morne is the day of my promocioun Of haly ordour … At Rochister ȝe sall be sone be day And haf ȝour tonsour be the hour of nyne