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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

Kirk-, Kyrktoun, n. Also: kyrche- (12th c.), kirketun, kirktoun(e, -ton(e, -town(e, kirtown. [Cf. ME. cherch-toune (1340).] A town or village situated by a church; esp., the hamlet in which the parish church of a rural parish is. (Chiefly in place-names.) (Cf. also Kirk-clachan.) c 1145 Facs. Nat. MSS. I. 10.
[Cum Kyrchetune 1206 Misc. Spald. C. V. 209.
Super terra de Aberbuthenoth que appellatur Kirketun 1319 Lanark & R. 198.]
Ad ecclesiam de Kirketun super Stryvelin 1403 Coll. Aberd. & B. 478.
Quadraginti … solidi de Guerny vna cum tota villa de le kyrktoune 1460 Chart. (Reg. H.) C.O. No. 56.
I gaff … heretabyl possession to Katryne Inglis … of al and syndre the landis of the kyrktone a1538 Abell Chron. 125 a.
In the kirtown of Kirkway 1545 Antiq. Aberd. & B. II. 348.
That the assedatioun made be me to William Lindisay and theremanent tenentis of the kirktoun [of Turriff] 1595 Breadalbane Ct. Bk. 79 b.
The … awaytaking … out of the kirktoun of Methuen of ane blak ox 16.. Abercrummie in Macfarlane's Geog. Coll. II. .
Dalmellingtowne a kirktowne in Kyle 1644 J. Gordon in Ib. 580.
Kirk of Kilpatrick and the kirktoun a quarter myl fra Kilpatrick down the river 1692 Misc. B. Rec. 69.
The great prejudice they [the burgesses of Linlithgow] have by a number of villages and kirktowns within ther precinct … who wrong ther trade [etc.] 1692 Conv. Burghs IV. 66/2.
Fortrose … being … formerly a kirk toune or the bishop and chanons seatt, the few cramers or chopkeepers … does not now export or import any merchant vair