Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

Mes(s)ager(e, n. [ME. (Ancr. R.) and e.m.E. messager, F. messager (OF. also messagier), f. message Message n.] A messenger; also fig. = Mes(s)inger(e n. 1409 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 71.
This endenture made … betwex noble men … commissairis and messageris of a hey & a michty prince [sc. to treat for peace] 1456 Hay II. 162/11.
For wys man sendis ay wis and traist messagere, and fulis sendis fulis 1533 Boece xi. xxi. 451 b.
Quhat the writaris, currouris, pursevantis, messageris … to thare feis suld craif Ib. xv. xvi. 437.
This was the harrang proponit be messageris in presens of the king 1535 Stewart 27324. 1549 Compl. 94/9.
The messager of Sextus past to Tarquine Superbe, declarand his message 1558 Knox IV. 368.
The especial dutie of Goddes messagers is to preache repentance 1568 Q. Mary in Ellis Orig. Lett. i Ser. II. 254.
Guef ȝe fend a mit mesager 1584 Buccleuch Mun. II. 341.
As ane messager quha sall assur ȝou of [etc.] 1595 Colville Lett. 167.
His grace hes said resolvidly to hir majestie … and confirmed the same by his last messager that [etc.] 1653 J. Hope Diary 157.
A litle fascicull … which the messager had give mefig. 1581-1623 James VI Poems II. 80/19.
No messager of prison'd Aeole blowes