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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.

Sens, Sence, Since, Sins, adv., prep. and conj. Also: sense, senss, senshence, senth, seance, sinc. [Late ME and e.m.E. sennes, syns, synnes (all c1450), since (Caxton), sens (1515), sence (1549), sins (1562); Sithens adv., Syn(e adv., Sen prep. and conj.]

A. adv. 1. Afterwards; from that time onwards. Cf. Syn(e adv. 4.(a) 1513 Doug. i Prol. 66.
Of Latyn poetis that sens was, or before 1590–1 Crim. Trials I ii 238.
His dochter, quha ewir sence hes bene heavele vexit(b) 1626 Garden Worthies 68.
Thy … worthie works whose lyek few since or sine To witness such a witt and vene divyne a1633 Hope Major Pract. I 95.
He had receaved the contract blank in the lyns quhilk he had filld up since 1689 Cramond Kirk S. III 6 Dec.
And to other poore not listed as then but listed since 1674 Cunningham Diary 45.
My lying money the said July 31, being £250 15 s. 2 d. my receits since being £563 2 s. 4 d.

2. Ago. Cf. Syn(e adv. 5.(a) 1622-6 Bisset II 157/2.
To the space of fywe hundreth and xx ȝeiris or thereby sence to this present ȝeir of God 1627(b) 1619 Aberd. Council Lett. I 171 (see C 2 (a) below).
Since 1633 Orkney Witch Trial in Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. V 545.
It is confesit … that threttein yeir since the said Marrioun and Robert Drewer was duelling both at ane house 1662 Trials for Witchcraft in Soc. Ant. XXII 237.
The said Janet Brugh to be at ane meeting two years since with the Devil at Turfhills 1701 Brand Orkney & Shetl. 46.
That man who died not long since

B. prep. After, subsequent to, since (a specified time or occasion in the past). Cf. Sen prep.(a) 1549 Lamb Resonyng 153/8.
Quharfor being senshence the last homage maid … j^cxxii ȝeiris 1569–70 6th Rep. Hist. MSS App. 650/1.
Mr. Jhon hes writtin … of all that hes occurrit sens your ladyschipis partyn 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 57. 1576 Douglas Corr. 213.
Senth I reseaved your honors letter 1601 Dundee Shipping P. 70.
This is the cownt of our schip the Greis of God … senss the first of September 1614 Inverness Rec. II 122.
For breckinge of the statutis seance Michaelmes last 1666 Melrose Reg. Rec. II 153.
Shoe promised the forsaid maill to him sence the tak(b) a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 1124 (Wr.).
For ay since Adam and since Eve [etc.] 1588 Events Q. Mary & Jas. VI 53.
The Bischop of Dumblain hes almaist bein continually seik sins his cuming in Scotland a1605 Birrel Diary 37.
The lyk … wes nevir done since the memorie of man 1619 Laing MSS 154.
Sins my home coming I never had ane iydill houre 1631 Buccleuch Household Bk. 3 Oct.
Carrabein hes had his dyit since Satturday laist and ȝet remains 1644 Baillie II 213.
Our Assemblie being wearied with sitting since the beginning of July was a-year 1670 Inverness Presb. 3.
He had improved his time since his manumission and graduation in the Colledge

C. conj. 1. From the time that, from a specified point in time. Cf. Sen conj. 1.(a) c1590 Fowler I 191/7.
But sence I vewed your beautye but al blame Verse flowes [etc.] c1590 Fowler II 43/4.
In na age sence the Pape … hes vsurped sic tyrannicall power(b) 1585 Calderwood IV 315.
Kything … what good merchandice he hath made, since he gott his new authoritie 1604-31 Craig v 28.
Since first our loue began

b. Following a statement of the duration of the period in question. 1596 Aberd. Council Lett. I 65.
It is mair nor ane yeir sense I debursit my money

c. With the implication that there has been continuity of action during the period in question. 1525 Douglas Corr. 98.
As I funde in all tymes bygayne sence I was acqyntit with ȝow

2. Because; seeing or considering (that). Sen conj. 2.(a) a1500 Colk. Sow ii 38.
This little maid … That leiddis me now sence my self may nocht se 1559–60 Knox VI 109.
Sence we have hard no word of him, it is supposed that he should be stayed in your countrey a1578 Pitsc. II 154/30.
Sence the matter standis so hard to ȝow I gif ȝow consall rather to obey God c1590 Fowler I 138/1. c1600 Montg. Suppl. iv 61.
Sens I am in ȝour will 1619 Aberd. Council Lett. I 171.
Sence four yeiris since we rasit letters … aganes Johne Leyth(b) 1604-31 Craig ii 30.
Since … him selfe was subiect vnto loue And [etc.] 1653 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 133.
Since thair ar not chalmeris in the said colledge to be spairit for them 1670 Kingarth Par. Rec. 58.
Therfor he was repute to be the scandalizar sinc he made it publick 1675 Glasgow B. Rec. III 205.
Since … no straingers … have libertie to barrell or mak fisch — a1605 Montg. Misc. P. iv 21.
Since that the Hevins ar hinderers of my hap