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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

Sewar, Sewer, n.¹ Also: seuar, seur, sawr. [ME and e.m.E. sewer(e (14th c.), ceware (Prompt. Parv.), shewer (1525), sewre (1637), OF seoir (1112 in Greimas) to sit, be seated, aphetic form of asseoir, L. assidēre to sit.]

An attendant at a meal or banquet responsible for the arrangement of the table, the serving of the dishes, etc. Also, an officer of the royal household with similar (ceremonial) duties. Also maister sewar.(1) c1450-2 Howlat 705 (A).
Mony sawouris sals with sewaris he send 1460 Hay Alex. 2171.
Thay drest the sewaris with thame but and ben 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1808.
His maister sewar hecht Verteous Discipline 1513 Doug. i xi 25.
Ȝong swanys The cowrsis and the mesys … To set on burdis, sik as we call sewaris 1528 Lynd. Dreme 21.
I haue … Bene … sumtyme seware, coppare, and caruoure 1542 Treas. Acc. VIII 150.
Gevin to James Kirkcaldy of Grange, sewer, Andro Wod of Largo, carvour [etc.] 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 104.
Thair servit the quenis majestie … the erle of Bothwill, sewar … The Inglis ambassatour be … the erle of Crawfurd, sewar. The duke of Savoyis ambassatour be … the lord Levingstoun sewar 1579 Reg. Privy S. VII 332/1.
[Appointment of Thomas Erskin … as] ane of oure soverane lordis sewaris(b) a1578 Pitsc. in Gregory Smith Specimens of Middle Scots; 215/10.
Syne was thair proper seuris [STS stewartis] and cunning baxsteris [etc.] 1594 Warrender P. (SHS) II 262.
And the hail desert delyvered … to the Erle of Orkney as seuer for the king … and to the Lard of Baclugh as seuar for the Quene of Englands embassadour 1657 Balfour Ann. II 194.
2 seuars of the Chamber(c) 1546 Reg. Privy S. III 289/1.
Sawr(2) 1542–3 Reg. Privy S. III 22/1.
Ane lettir … to James Dundas … and Hew Kennedy … makand thame maister sewaris and maisteris of stable to the quenis grace