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

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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Secret(e, n.² Also: segret, secreit(t, secreite; secrett; secrit, sacreit(e. [F. secrète (late 15th c. in Larousse) ‘calotte de fer que l’on portait, du XV^e au XVII^es., sous la coiffure pour protéger la tête'; Secret(e adj.] A jerkin or doublet of defence, ‘stuffed with mail or iron scales’ (C. R. Beard), appar. so called because designed to be worn concealed under the outer clothes; a kind of jack (Jak n. 2).Also secreit of plate.Appar. the same as the Eng. privy coat (of plate) (e.m.E., 1523-a1649), and as secreit doublat (Secret(e adj. 1 l (2)). (1)
The armoraris compt … , for ane segret xl s.; … for ane pair of new gantillettis iij li. 1538 Treas. Acc. VI 386. 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 177/4.
Banishe … sicc traiterouse defensiue armes as secrettis, pleatesleues [etc.] 1600 Acts IV 205/2.
The erle [sc. of Gowrie] … callit vpoun this deponar and bad him put on his secrete and plait sleiffis 1600 Reg. Privy C. VI 169.
To repair … within his majesteis palaceis … armit and furnist with jakis, secrettis, corslettis, and uther hid armour 16.. Hist. Kennedy 144.
Secrettis 1629 Boyd Last B. (1629) 1172 (Jam.).
Let thy secret love bee vnto his soule like a secret or jack in this bloodie battell(b) 1575 Dumfries B. Ct. 25 Oct.
Ane secreit coft be Roger Lorimer price lij s. 1586 Digest Justiciary Proc. L 41.
The said Mr. Archibald … past in ane secreit and steilbonnet armit to the committing of the said horribill cryme 1590 Reg. Privy C. IV 486.
Secreittis 1600 Reg. Privy C. VI 77.
Furnist and armeit with jakis, secreittis and corslettis undir thair doublettis and coittis 1600–1 State P. (Reg. H.) No. 108/10 p. 6.
Haiffing ane steill bonett ane secreit and gantullat 1610 Edinb. Test. XLVI 206b.
Tua jakis and ane secreit, price thairof iiij li. 1643 Acts VI i 43/2.
That the horsemen be airmed with pistollis bread swordis and steill capes, and quhair thir airmes cannot be had that thei provyde jackes or secreites lances and steill bonnettes and swordis 1644 Edinb. Test. LXI 2b.
Ane new secreitt of the prove of ane durk a1651 Calderwood I 61.
So that the jacke, or secreit which he had putt on under his coat, rattled(c) 1618 Reg. Privy C. XI 397.
With jackis, secritis, steil-bonnetis, tua-handit swerdis, and utheris wapponis invasive(d) 1565 Treas. Acc. XI 391.
ix unce of silk to the bufill cote, hois, and sacreit 1565 Treas. Acc. XI 391.
Twa pund ij unce wecht of practikis of silver to his graces sacreit and hois 1565 Treas. Acc. XI 405.
Thre elnis of bombasie to cover ane sacreit(2) 1565 Treas. Acc. XI 390.
To Gilbert Thomsone, tailȝeoure, for the making of ane sacreite of plait to his grace … xx li. 1578 Reg. Privy C. III 105.
Thair is sindrie personis quhilkis hes repairit … within the Castell of Striviling … with daggis, pistolettis, jakis and secreitis of plait