A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Upsettar, -er, Wpsetter, n. [19th c. Eng. upsetter (1836); Upset n. and v.]
1. A guarantor, security. 14.. Acts I 68/2. 69/2.
For quhy that the said Gilespy brocht nocht to the statut day the upsettaris [L. obsides] of the quhilkis to be gevin at that statut day and place he com borgh … gif … he mocht not geyff the weddis he sal remayn in wede quhil he haf brocht the forsaide upsettaris
2. One who sets up as a master craftsman in a burgh. (Upset n. 2.) 1518 Perth Hammermen 2.
He sall pay … till his upset sex markis. And gif the upsetter be ane outman he sall pay sex markis 1583–4 (c16 … ) Dundee B. Laws 123.
And that thaire be taken vp for ilk buith vpsett fra the merchand and vpsetter fywe lib. money 1681 Glasgow Weavers 6.
Ilk new wpsetter payes this to be conform to their old richts
3. One who sets up, erects or affixes (something). (Upset v. 1.) 1567 Acts II 552/1.
Act anentis the makaris and vpsettaris of plackardes and billis 1613 Edinb. B. Rec. VI 107.
The biggers and upsetters of tombes in the kirk [yaird]
4. One who founds or establishes (something). (Upset v. 3.) 1573-1600 Burne Disput. in Cath. Tr. 162/2.
The hail hous of the Hamiltonis … vas the cheif vpsettar … of his hæresie 1581 Hamilton Cath. Tr. in Cath. Tr. (STS) 84/4.
Thir Caluinian ministers, quha louit so heichlie thair vpsetters comparing thame to the maist godlie kings Josias [etc.] 1581 Hamilton Cath. Tr. 7.
Not onlie aganis ȝour maiestie, bot also aganis thame quha vas thair vp setteris and mentenaris
5. = Upset n. 3. 1628–9 M. Works Acc. (ed.) II 255.
Sevin upsetteris to the ordinance 1644 Army of the Covenant 34.
Stanes for upsetters twelve 1647 Army of the Covenant I 143.
Rammer heads … Knaps and upsetters … Spunges [etc.]
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"Upsettar n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 27 Apr 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/upsettar>
