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

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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Mass(e, n. [e.m.E. mass(e, ME. masse (c 1200), used by Knox and writers of the 17th c. in place of Mes n.¹]The reading of the unique appar. earlier instance (1525 Aberd. B. Rec. I. xl) seems likely to be erron.

Mass. = Mes n.¹ (chiefly 2). 1550 Knox III. 67.
In the Papisticall masse 1559 Ib. VI. 26. Ib. II. 488. 1600-1610 Melvill 550.
The French embassadour his mass 1609 Acts IV. 429/2. 1637 Rothes' Affairs Kirk App. 199.
Is there no uther parte of the kirke to sing masse in, but thou must sing it at my lugge? 1638 Nat. Covenant in Facs. Nat. MSS. III. xcvii. 1639 Moray Synod 44.
Saying that he houped to say masse in the Trinity Kirk of Elgine a1650 Row 79.
A … liturgie … whilk yit was verie litle other nor the masse in Inglish 1656 Acts VI. ii. 861/1.b. Attrib. and comb.(1) 1591 Misc. Spald. C. III. 160.
Sextein staine of fyne mass cloathis of cloath of gold a1651 Calderwood VII. 443.
Apprehendit with his massecloths 1651 Blairs P. 41.
In which English catholickes use to hyde preests and masse graith 1686 Lauder Notices Affairs II. 772.
Some popish souldiers … to guard their masse chapell on Ȝuill-day 1689 Acts IX. 33/2.
To publick masse houses(2) 1559 Knox VI. 13.
With Mr Parson's pattering of his constrained prayers, and with the massemunging of Mr Vicar 1563 G. Hay Confutation Abbot Crosraguel 81.
Oure masse mounging schauelinges a1651 Calderwood II. 155.
Masse-moonger(3) 1559 Knox VI. 13.
Your ministers … were none of Christ's ministers but masse-mumming priests(4) a1650 Row 394.
The communion is discharged to be before the pulpit … where people might heare and see (for that were not so masselyke)