A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1420, 1500-1568, 1688-1689
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Sons, Sonce, n. [Gael. sonas good fortune, prosperity. Also in later Sc. dial.] Abundance, plenty (also, of something); prosperity; ? good fortune. Also, sons and seill (Sele n.1). — c1420 Wynt. vii 3621.
Quhen Alysandyr oure kyng wes dede … Away wes sons off ale and brede, Off wyne and wax, off gamyn and gle 1535 Stewart 50036.
Of fugitouris … Quhilk lytill sons or nane at hame hes hed a1568 Bannatyne MS 64a/1.
Sons hes bene ay exilit owt of sicht Sen every knaif wes cled in silkin weid a1689 Cleland 59.
There's als much vertue sonce and pith In Annan … Als any water in all Greece — c1500-c1512 Dunb. (STS) xxv 60.
God and Sanct Jeill heir ȝow convoy … To sonce and seill c1530-40 Stewart Bann. MS 140b/45.
Kulros Karrik and Kyle Fra sons and seill we thame syle Schortly to conclude
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"Sons n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/sons>
