A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1539-1700+
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Superplus, n. (adj.). Also: superplos, supperplus. [e.m.E. superplus (1584), med. L. superplus (1086 in Latham). Cf. Sureplus n.]
A. noun. 1. What remains over (of money, goods or materials) after a specified amount due has been paid, spent, deducted, etc.; surplus. Also pl. Also attrib. and fig.For an explanation of superplus of the thirds of benefices, see Reg. Privy C. III 31 f.n.(a) 1539 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. II 95.
In case he has nocht debursit sa mekle to resaue the superplus to the commoun weill 1561 Reg. Dunferm. 457.
Bring the haill coill as superplus with ceines … poultrie … and all wtheris dewteis omittit 1561 Reg. Privy C. I 193.
Samekle … to be employit to the Quenis Majestie … samekle … to the ministeris … and the excrescence and superplus to be assignit to the auld possessouris 1569 Reg. Privy C. II 14.
The said messenger apprehendit … certane nolt and scheip … and … offerit thame instantlie to the said James … for the sowme thai wer apprysit for, and to diffeis thairin samekill as the superplus wes gif ony wer 1571 Bk. Univ. Kirk I 211.
Quhair the rent of the benefice is gretar nor the appointit stipend of that place, the superplus sall ly and be comptable to the supplie of vther rowmes not sa plenteous 1573 Davidson in Satirical Poems xlii 418.
The courteour can say, ‘Apperandly ȝe wald gif all The teindis of Scotland … Vnto the kirk for till dispone … Quhat wald ȝe than bestow on vs?' The clerk said, ‘Tak the superplus, Quhen Kirk and pure ar weill prouydit’ 1576 Orkney Oppress. 27.
Giff thai had ane cuttell attour thair dett vpon the end of their wob or mair, he wad not giff that superplus to thame, bot wald giff them twa babeis for ilk cuttell 1576 Rep. Menzies MSS 17.
That ȝe, of the siluer … deliuer … the valew … and deliuer the remanent or superplus to the Erll of Atholl c1575 Balfour Pract. 57. 1581 Acts III 244/2.
We … sen we acceptit the gouernament of our realme in our awin persoun hes bene movit to mak dispositioun of the said superplus [sc. of thirds of benefices] in pensioun 1587 Bk. Univ. Kirk II 723.
The thrids reduced to the first integritie … and no superplus to be made whill the ministers … be sufficiently staiked 1622-6 Bisset II 224/15. c1630 Hope Minor Practicks (1726) 19.
Whatsoever of the third was not assigned to ministers, pertained to the king, and it was called superplus, whereof there was yearly a book made, which altered … according to the assignation to ministers, and according to this superplus book, the king's collector did charge for this superplus for the king's use 1643-7 Army of the Covenant I 141.
The superplus in the discharge of pikes may appeare … 22 lawnces 60 halfe pikes 1673 Sc. Hist. Rev. XXV 264.
If the collectione exceed twelve shill. Scots the sessione ar to dispose of the super plus as they please 1694 M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. IV 194.
Except there be a clear visible superplus above the payment of the creditors 1697-1707 D. Hume Accompt of Estate 13.
My brother only abated 1000 lb. off my portion, and forgave me the superplus, extending to 225 lb., or thereby(b) 1595 Rec. Convention of Royal Burghs I 466.
To vplift and collect the said impost, and … refound and pay the said foure hundreth frankis … and the supperplus, gif ony beis, to mak compt … thairof at the nixt conventioun 1627 Orkney & Shetl. Test. MS I 188.
Andro to have sa meikill of the supperplus as may pay him accordinglie 1673 Kirkcaldy B. Rec. MS 25 Aug.
They shall be halden are hereby ordained to the skipper of the boat haveing the roome to intertainye ane of his company to collect the supperpluspl. 1568 Reg. Privy S. VI 56/1.
The superplussis and all thingis omittit ungevin up in the rentallisattrib. c1630 Hope Minor Practicks (1726) 19 (see 1 (a) above).fig. 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 245.
The Papists … when after their manner they have satisfied Him, they make a superplus, quhilk they call works of supererogation 1653 Binning Wks. 620.
He hath success in the main business, and there is a superplus besides, some accession to his portion that comes of will 1687 Shields Hind Let Loose (1687) 105.
A superplus of caution
b. Const. of (moneys, rents, goods, etc.).(a) 1558 Reg. Cupar A. II 268.
The said abbot to haif the tane half … of the profeit of the superplus of oxin that ar abune the said vxx 1566–7 Reg. Privy C. I 498.
The superplus of the saidis annuellis and obittis … to be distributit to the pouer 1575 Reg. Privy S. VII 33/2.
[A pension of £300 yearly from the] superplus of beneficis and the thriddis thairof 1583 Perth B. Ct. 27 April.
And the remanent superplus of the gudis arreistit to satefe the said Robert Matho 1584 Acts III 304/1.
His hienes being frustrat of the superplus of the thriddis of benefices dew vnto him a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1825) 151.
To the end he mycht also be annoynted with sum superplus of thair gold 1627 Dumbarton B. Rec. 23.
Thay nominat James Fallisdaell collectar of the said taxation, and ordaine him to have the superplus of the said stent mair nor payit his majestie 1630 Glasgow Trades House 145.
Wm. Neilsoun lait deaconvenar for the superplus of daillis [£8] 1632 Aberd. Council Lett. I 368.
And with the superplus of the proffeitts and sic as alredie hes accresit we intend … to by lands 1644 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 421.
Where the presbyteries are fewer in number, that they joyne with other presbyteries to make up their number. And the superplus of the number to be ordered and disposed by the presbyteries & synods 1648 Galloway P. 27 Jan.
He shall onlie be lyabill to James Lord Garleis in the remanent and superplus of the tak dewtie more nor will pey the ordinar annuelrent a1686 Turner Mem. 142.
The superplus of the money wherof I had not disposed being allowd me 1688 Edinb. B. Rec. XI 243.(b) 1589–1600 Skipper's Acc. (Morton) 73a.
Sum of the hall fraycht comis to with the superplos of thes xvii crounis is ane thousand frankis and xl frankis(c) 1665 Grant Chart. 351.
To … dispose of the supperplus of the saidis moovables for the use … of my said sone
2. What remains to be paid; the sum still owed.1552 (1562) Edinb. Old Acc. I 11.
To be gevin to David Somer to the new tolbuith xjli, and the superplus dischargit be the saids auditors 1580 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. I 132.
The sowme of iij lib. xviij s. viij d. being the superplus awand be the said Johnne 1617 Aberd. Council Lett. I 143.
The haill communitie … to make payment of the superplus of the said yearlie stipend of 600 pounds attour the said kirk annuels and moratorie foresaid yeirlie 1631 Cullen B. Ct. 2 Dec.
The said day Dauid Prat is decernit to pay to Agnes Gordone xl d of the superplus of the pryce of ane vadder within terme of law 1645 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 50.
The superplus of the foirsaid soume that sall be restand be him the tyme of his removeall to be payit be the said Robert within sex moneths 1657 Stitchill Baron Ct. 9.
To pay to George Cranstoune in Nenthorne of the superplus of twa horse fyve pounds 4 sh. 1661 Rothesay B. Rec. 69.
The saids defendaris refuiss to mak coumpt reckoneing and payment to him of the said superplus of rent 1664 Melrose Reg. Rec. II 92.
[Andrew Penman … to pay to James Wauch … 43 s. 2 d.] as the superplus of ane coat or gowne apprised be the said Andro from the said James 1681 Elgin Rec. I 326.
Paid to Johne Fyff as superplus of his accompt for being comissioner to the parliament and borrowis 78 punds 8 s.
b. A sum of money corresponding to expenses incurred over and above what was allowed or budgeted for.1551 Dundee B. Ct. II 58b (11 May).
And gyf I ware mair geir vpoun the biging of the said tolbuth nor the said James part of geir … will extend vnto that superplus be tane of the reddiast of the malis of the said James part of the said tolbuthe 1641–2 Misc. Spald. C. V 157.
To Mr. John Row … for the superplus of his hous maill, fra Martimes … to Witsoundey … 11 lib. 13 s. 4 d. 1652 Peebles B. Rec. II 7.
John Frank, … to pay James Nicoll the superplus of the riggine stones to the chaippell, being thrie pundes xiij s. iiii d.
3. transf. An additional mark or token (of favour).1675 Edinb. B. Rec. X 423.
The … councell … obleist them … to pay … to the said Peter Brauss to [be] given to … his spous as ane supperplus and excrescence of ther favour for the said project … ane hundreth pound sterling money
B. adj. 1. Extra, excess, additional; surplus, left-over.attrib. 1568 Liber Coll. Glasg. lxxxiij.
The saidis alteragis chaiplanreis and vther benefices abouespecifijt superplus and omittit fruitis thairof respective abouerehersit 1671 Aberd. Council Lett. V 94.
Also many of our merchands have given bands for the super-plus customs attour thrie pund for the double hundreth plaiding 1677 Aberd. Council Lett. VI 112.
The deceist earle of Crawford … haveing right to the rents and bishoprick of Ross did persue the magistrats … for … payment of the super plus rents … attour the 1200 pound contained in the gift 1680 Fountainhall Decis. I 101.
They cannot be liable … to compt for the superplus duties over and above the annualrents 1694 M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. IV 116.
That Bailie Joussie … had not acknowledged intromission with the superplus estate left in the codicil(b) 1652 Glasgow B. Rec. II 219.
To allow to ony of the ministeris out of the moneyis that is payed them ony of the byruns of thair supperplus pryces 1657 Galloway P. 16 March.
[He is] to releive the erle of the locall stipend to the minister & supperplus teind 1687 Corshill Baron Ct. 176.
Johne Adam … to make payment … of the sowme of [£15 6 s. 8 d.] … as the said supperplus rentpredic. 1586 Cal. Sc. P. VIII 704.
I must pray you that … I may have of hir majestie 2000 or fyftain hunder pound and if any thing be superplus it shall come to the pay
2. Of a person: Overpaid, in receipt of more than his due.1669 Kirkintilloch B. Ct. 18.
Decreits Andrew supperplus in payment of the principall 40 merk band … and both pairties befor 4 honest men to count if Andrew be not payed of the 40 merk band, and if Andrew hes any more nor 40 merk … to give James Dollore it bake agayne
