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: 1614-1666
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Guyser, Guizer, n. Also: gwysar, gwysser. [Late varr. of Gysar.] A mummer. 1614 Elgin Rec. II. 141.
Comperit Magdalen Gray, ane guyser 1615 Ib. 141.
Thomas Urrall confessit he playit on the trumpt to the g ysars 1623 Ib. 177.
Gwysseris, … Theas past in ane sword dance … in the kirk ȝeard with maskis and wissoris on ther faces 1662 Cramond Grange Ch. 27.
Some of the guizers appear before the congregation 1664 Id. Fordyce Presb. 32.
Ther being a gross abuse by guysers committed especially on Yooll-day 1666 St. A. Presb. 84.
Allent guizers, … he is advised to proceed against them as scandalous persons
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"Guyser n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 16 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/guyser>
