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.
Quotation dates: 1613-1681
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Expectant, n. [e.m.E. (1625–8), L. expectans.] ‘A candidate for the ministry, who has not yet received a license to preach the gospel’ (J). — 1613 Dundonald Par. Rec. 237.
Coline Row and Mr Jhone Burne, exspectantis of the said Presbyterie 1639 Proceedings of Society of Antiquaries IV. 463.
The National Covenant signed … by the Earls of Lothian and Dalhousie, … and other ruling elders and several expectants 1654 Stirling B. Rec. I. 216.
Whither … they thoght fitting ane actuall minister or ane expectant sould be callit to supplie the place of the deceast maister David Bennet 1663 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. I. 355.
There were severall ministers and preaching expectants who in their sermons inveighed highly against his Majesties government 1681 Colvil Whig's Suppl. A 2 b.
Like one of Bishop Andrews sermons re-preached the other day by an expectant
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"Expectant n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/expectant_n>
