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 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Elderman, n. [ME. elder man (c 1300), an elder, senator, bishop.] A magistrate or councillor in a burgh. Cf. Alderman. 15.. Edinb. B. Rec. I. 239.
And the claith be schorne throw the eldermannis leif, … the sellar sall gif j ob. to the borrow-seriand 1500 Ib. I. 87.
That thair be serchouris chosin within the ilk burgh, sic as provest, eldermen, baillies and custumaris 1513 Ib. 139.
The provest, eldermen, baillies or officiaris of the place quhair thay arrive 1573 Digest Justiciary Proc. I. 45.
Bailȝeis, provostis, eldermen and bailȝeis of burrowis 1590 Rec. Conv. Burghs I. 321.
That na man lesumlie may be chosin prouest, baillies or eldermen to burgh, bot that ar honest and substantious burgessis 1623 Haddington Corr. 224.
To all shereffis, … eldermen of burrowis, … whome these presentis … may concerne 1641 Acts V. 521/1.
The eldermen, provest and baillies of the said burgh