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

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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Parson(e, -oun, n. [ME. and e.m.E. parsoun (c 1325), -on, AF. parsone, MF. parsoune (1466 in Godef.) a parson. Cf. also Person(e n.]

a. (A) person. = Person(e n. 1–4.(1) 1529 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 5.
It is statute … that all maner of parsonis candilmakaris [etc.] Ib. 7.
That na maner of parsone [etc.] 1554 Barry Orkney (1808) 410.
To … our prince supreme, King of Norwege, [etc.] … and others steitlie parsonis, nobles, pepill and commonitie of the samyng 1643 Glasgow B. Rec. II. 61.(2) 1533 Gau 26/12.
That faith is diuidit in iii partis efter the iii parsons namit in the creid(3) 1606 Misc. Abbotsf. C. 271.
Every general hosting to bee made in parson by our lieftenant(4) 1533 Gau 40/13.
Schw is ane cleyne virgine without ony corruptione of hir parsone or experience of man 1560 Rolland Seven S. 10088.
His body and flesche … was … als gude lyke in parsoun and visage As quhen he was bot twentie ȝeir of age

b. A parson. = Person(e n. 5.Also, possess. without inflection.(1) 1475–6 Ayr B. Ct. 4 Feb.
The tennement of the parsone of Air 1493–4 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I. 333.
Our louit clerk ande oratour Master Symon Dodis parsone of Innernothy 1497 Acta Conc. II. 88. 1500 Ib. 392. 1513 Doug. viii. Prol. 159.
I persaue schir parson thi purpos perfay 1538–9 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I. 238.
Resavit fra the parsoun Dolphintoun of the said taxt 1620 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 185.
The said toun of Turreff is kirkland and perteins to the parsone of Turreff 1625 Moray Synod 12.
Umquhill Mr Thomas Andersone, parsone of Glass c1646 Craufurd Edinb. Univ. fol. 47.
Mr Alexander Hepburn (son to Mr Thomas Hepburn parson of Aldhamstoks) 1647 McPherson Primitive Beliefs 142.
He had drunken … confusione to the parsone of Turreff, and to the Covenant 1662 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. I. 260.
All parsons, viccars, ministers in burgh or land 16.. Macfarlane's Geog. Coll. II. 203.
He and his successors were for 4 generations parsons of Renfrew 1676 Cullen Kirk S. 12 Mar.
Reported alsothe minister that he hade advertised the parson of Fordyce to send back Jean Currie(2) 1498 Acta Conc. II. 236.
Wilyeam Jarding the parsone son