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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.

Gydar(e, Gidar(e, n. Also: gydear, gyddare, guydar. [f. Gyde v. Cf. Gyder n.]

1. One who (or that which) guides, directs, or controls.(a) 1513 Doug. i. Prol. 456.
Thou kyng of kyngis, … Thou be my muse, my gydar, and laidstern 1535 Stewart 3011.
The king … send to euerilk place Gydaris rycht gude, that culd thame weill convoy 1542 Annandale Corr. 3.
The west bordouris … is destitut of ane wardane and gydar a1568 Bann. MS. 144 b/40.
Schir Symony his serwand That now is gydar of the kirk 1560 Rolland Seven S. 4061.
To be gydaris of his realme thay did mene 1562-3 Winȝet I. 133/25.
To the grete gloir … of the maist mercifull Lord thair vndoutit gydear c1568 Lauder Minor P. i. 353.
Christ als is with thame, … Rewlar and gydar of the faithfull all a1578 Pitsc. I. 238/8.
Thay … quha war gyddaris of the realme of Scotland for the tyme a1570-86 Maitl. F. 1xxii. 25.
Invy is gydar of thy wittis fyve 1622-6 Bisset II. 225/26.
Capitanis, … gydaris, pylottis, and utheris berand cuir in schipis(b) 1531 Bell. Boece I. 133.
Fortoun, the instabill gidar of mortall creatouris Id. Livy II. 206/20.
Thus was … wisdome and foresicht gidare of the army 1557 Prot. Bk. G. Grote 26.
[To be] actouris, factouris, rewalaris, gidaris [of his said daughter's tacks](c) 1558-66 Knox II. 276.
At these wordis, the guydaris of the Court mocked 1632 Peebles B. Rec. 372.
Being creat … keipar, guydar, and rewlar of the knok

2. One who has the charge and guidance of a young person.(a) 1513 Doug. v. x. 3.
Eneas … Epytides to hym hes callyt son e, Master and gydar of Ascanyus ȝong 1545 Acts & Decr. II. 32.
The said Dauid as gouernour & gydar of the said Walter 1563 Prestwick B. Rec. 67.
Jhone Wyle … desyris … to be enteryt tutour and gydar to his broderys dochteris a1578 Pitsc. II. 107/22.
The Earle of Hartfurd … , principall gydar and lufetennent of King Edwart 1596 Douglas Bequest (Reg. H.) 7 June.
Maister William Scott … and Alexander Scott … gydaris and gouernouris to me the said Johne(b) 1560 Admir. Ct. Bk. 185.
Lauchfull bairnis to … George with consent and avis of thair moder, gidar, and gouernour 1573 Prot. Bk. G. Grote 88.
[He appointed him] tutour, reulare, and gidare to his bairns 1575 Edinb. Test. III. 411 b.
I … ordinis [the persons named] gidaris & handilaris of my … bairnis