Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

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

Senio(u)r, n. Also: seniore. [ME and e.m.E. seniour (Wyclif), seniore (c1440), L. senior adj. ‘older’, f. senex ‘old’; cf. Senȝeour n.] An elder or presbyter in the early Church (rendering L. senior and Gk. presbúteros). b. An elder of the post-Reformation Church of Scotland. c. A minister in the post-Reformation Church.Common as a surname from 1382; see Black Surnames, s.v. Senior.a. c1520-c1535 Nisbet Rev. vii 13.
And aan of the seniouris [W. eldre men; P. senyours] ansuerd, and said to me [etc.] c1520-c1535 Nisbet Rev. xix 4. 1558 Q. Kennedy Tractive 103.
And swa the apostolis and seniouris in thair tyme wer the e and juge to discerne the trew understandyng of Goddis worde fra the wrangeb. 1559–60 St. A. Kirk S. 26.
Ane sentence absolvatour for Elizabeth Gedde to be … publicate in the pulpate … the seniouris beand present there to affirme the samyn 1560 Bk. Disc. 234.
Yf churcheis be of smaller nomber than that seniouris and deaconis can be chosin frome amangis thame, then [etc.] 1560 Bk. Disc. 234.
The elderis being elected must … assist the minister in all publict effares of the Churche … for by the gravitie of the seniouris aught the licht and unbridillit life of the licentious be corrected and bridillit 1560 Bk. Disc. 235.
Yf a minister be licht in conversatioun, by his elderis and seniouris he aucht to be admonisched a1578 Pitsc. I 410/6.
All kingis, princes [etc.] … to … cause ecclesiasticall discipline to be wssit be the ministeris and bischopis, seniouris, elderis or deacons as offieceris in the kirk of God 1581 Bk. Univ. Kirk II 496.
The woorde elder. … quhen it is the name of ane office, sumtyme it is takin learglie, comprehending alsweill the pastouris and doctouris, as thame quha ar commonlie callit seniouris and eldaris 1583 Melvill 149.
The government of the Kirk consistes … in pastor, doctor, senior … and … everie pastor within his awin congregation sould haiff a nomber of seniores or eldars of laic men to assist tham in counsall for the government of the Kirkc. 1581 Bk. Univ. Kirk II 494.
Pasturis or bischopis or ministeris … ar sum tymes callit … presbyterj and seniouris, from the grauitie in maneris quhilk thay aucht to haue in taking cair of the spirituall gouernment