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.
Serene, adj. Also: serein, -eyn(e. [e.m.E. serene (a1513), L. serēn- clear, fair, calm.] Serene, in various senses.
1. Of the sky: Clear, fair, unclouded.c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 108.
Quhill loud resownyt the firmament serene 1513 Doug. xii Prol. 53.
The firmament sereyn, The lowne illumynat ayr 1513 Doug. xiii viii 30. a1585 Maitl. Q. 223/13.
The holsome air the firmament serene
2. Calm, untroubled. ? Passing into: Glad, joyous.c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 61/38.
The law of kynd … That crukit aige makis on with ȝewth serene 1513 Doug. i ix 47.
Quhou happy and ioyus was that tyme serene 1567 G. Ball. 82.
Ane peirles sing Of lyfe serene a1568 Bann. MS 218a/15.
Natour sa craftely alwey Hes done depaint that sweit serene
3. Applied, as an honorific epithet, to princes, monarchs, gods, etc., or to their attributes. b. noun. transf. Of a mistress: A queenly or noble person.c1515 Asl. MS I 317/29.
God … flourit & illuminit the warld with sereyne illustyre excellent kynglie maieste c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 5/37.
Hale, qwene serene; hale, most amene c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 109/1.
Renownit, ryall, right reverend and serene Lord c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 96/11. 1528 Lynd. Dreme 1091. 1533 Boece 116b.
That thi successioun decorit be Romane blude mycht … be comptit mare honest, mare illustir and serene 1533 Bell. Livy I 1/1.
Armipotent Lady Bellona serene, Goddes of wisdome and jeoperdyis of were 1540 Lynd. Sat. 244 (B).
I think ȝour maiesty serene [Ch. serein] Sowld haif ane lusty concubene c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus i 731.
Lufesum ladyis most secreit and serene c1552 Lynd. Mon. 3074. c1552 Lynd. Mon. 4596.
Pope Celistene, … his sanctytude serene 1580 Hume Promine (L'envoy) 17.
Than say thow art ressauit of the king Vnto quhais serene celsitude I send théb. a1568 Bann. MS 218a/23.
She is my souerene and serene Off womanheid the flour delice
