A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1513-1609
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Venerian(e, -eane, adj. (n.). Also: veneryan(e, venerien. [ME and e.m.E. venerian, -ien (both Chaucer), ueneryan (1448), venerean (1597), OF venerien, L. venerius, venereus.]
A. adj. a. Connected with or influenced by Venus; inclined towards wantonness. Passing into b. Pertaining to sexual desire or activity.a. c1550 Rolland Court of Venus i 223.
I hald lufe ane aperse allane. And for hir saik sum sang venereane [pr. vencreane] I wald thow sang c1550 Rolland Court of Venus ii 755.
Venus hir warkis vsis venereane: And Vestais warkis ar of virginitie c1550 Rolland Court of Venus iii 758.
As I haif said befoir, ȝit I say plane, Thay thre was of the Court venereane c1590 J. Stewart 78/192.
Heirfoir to vichts venerian I quyt To form in verse virgilian perfyt Thair facund fassonsb. 1513 Doug. iv Prol. 93.
Be nevir our set … With lust of wyne nor warkis veneryane [Sm., Ruddim. veneriane]; Thai febill the strenth 1513 Doug. xi xiv 30.
Venerian c1550 Rolland Court of Venus iii 720.
First I rehersit Thamar and Raab plane And Bersabe … War all of sport ladeis venereane c1590 J. Stewart 116 § 6.
Me to guwerne it better var, Be counsell of my freindis vyse, And not to schaw my self so har In ane venerian interpryse 1604-9 Grahame Anat. Hum. 7b.
A … most quick-witted lady … who in a veneryan discourse, with the want of shame, will make her fan serue to cover the bloudles blush of her never blushing face
B. noun. A person given to wanton behaviour, a lewd and lascivious person.1567 Gude and Godlie Ballatis 211.
O wickit vaine veneriens, Ȝe ar not sanctis (thocht ȝe seem hally) 1571 Satirical Poems xxv 15.
These wicked vaine venerianis [Bann. Memor. 86, veneniaris] Proud poysoned Pharisianes … Hes caused the puire cuntrie Assist vnto thair traitorie, Thair prince for to displace
