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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.

Serge, Sarge, n. Also: sierge. [ME and e.m.E. cerge, serge (both Cursor M.), cierge (c1400), OF cierge, cerge, chierge, L. cēr-eus, -ius of wax, waxen, f. cēra wax.] A wax candle, ? esp. a larger type of candle. Also, once, comb. with candell.(a) a1400 Leg. S. xvii 175.
A brand … quhar-of the sergis al Scho lychtyt, bathe gret & smal a1400 Leg. S. xlii 197.
A barne befor hyme bare Of brynnand sergis sic fusione That licht as day ves the presone c1420 Wynt. vi 1401.
And in hys graff wes sergis twa Brynnand clere c1420 Wynt. vi 1410.
Bot gyve a man wald … styke In to thai sergis a scharpe pryke, Quhare the ayre mycht hawe entre, Swa sloknyd mycht thai lychtis be 1478 Grey Friars 15.
For ii sergis in the parisch kyrk and other ii sergis in the Freris to byrn upon the bere the tyme of the service, viii d. 1489 Lives of the Lindsays I 462.
With twa serges borne with twa angels of bras as chandelars 1513 Doug. xiii ix 103.
The blesand torchys schayn and sergis [Ruddim. sergeis] brycht 1529 Linlithgow B. Ct. 8 Nov.
The said procuratour and factour sall licht twa far sergis with prikattis onne the hedis of thaim 1534 Treas. Acc. VI 209.
For xvj sergis to thame to turs that wes accusit of heresy 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 103.
The prince was bapteist … on this maner. … Ane greit serge of walx [was borne] be the Erle of Athole [etc.](b) a1639 Spotsw. Hist. (1655) 197.
[At the baptism of the prince] the Earl of Athol went next to the French ambassador, bearing the great sierge of wax(c) 1544 Aberd. B. Rec. I 206.
All the saidis personis sall cum … to Sanct Nicholace kyrk … and offer euery ane of thaim ane sarge of new walx to Godcomb. c1531–8 Reg. Soltre 213.
The sacrister … sall fynd one the hye altar twa sergeis of vax in tym of matines … and sal fynd ane serge candell in tym of the Autem befor our Lady