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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Kirkman, n. Also: kirke-, kyrk-. [North. ME. (once) kirk-man (14th c.).]

1. A churchman, an ecclesiastic, a member of the clergy. (Cf. also man of kirk, Kirk n. 5 c.) a1400 Leg. S. xl. 560.
[The bishop] to visy In quhat wyse the kirkmen did thar seruice 14.. Acts I. 60/2.
That kirkmen live honestly of the … profittis of thare kirkis and sall nocht be husbandmen [etc.] Ib. 107/2. 1456 Hay I. 192/19.
Gif I be a kirk man, I suld nocht law the privilege of the kirk 1489 Treas. Acc. I. 124.
To Ormond herrald to pas in Fyf and Angus to the kyrkmen for the wagis a1500 Prestis of Peblis 430.
Halines fra kirkmen is away 1535 Stewart 29110.
Fuill arrosie … That he leirit fra kirkmen of the Britis Ib. 59911.
Mony kirkmen into kaip and hude Ib. II. 498.
How King Constantyne … did pennance amang the kirkmen in Sanct Androis 1541 Acts II. 370/2.
All archibischopis … and every kirk man in his awin degre to reforme thare selfis a1538 Abell 36 b.
The kirk men alsway wes exilit baith preistis & religious men 1558-66 Knox I. 49.
The bischoppis and kirkmen of thy realme hes had heirtofoir sick authoritie upoun thy subjectis 1581 Hamilton Cath. Tr. 20.
Granting euerie kirk man his prettie vinche 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 145/12.
Suffer na … meitings amongst kirkemen but be youre … permission 1622-6 Bisset II. 134/16.
The chaplaine or kirkman gatt seasing instantlie than in iudgement 1640 Acts V. 277/2.
That … the civill places and power of kirkemen be holdine still as wnlaufull in this kirke 1681 Cleland 78.
What plots, O what mischief! And still a kirkman at the nuike o't 1685-8 Renwick Serm. (1776) 176.
Both corrupt statesmen, and corrupt kirkmen

2. A (loyal or devout) church-member or church-goer. 1653 Lindores A. 225.
Katharine Key … meitting Patrick Beitt … and George Millar upon the way said, Their goes the kirkmen, the divell take the pack of you