Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Professit, Profest, p.p. Also: prof(f)essit, -yt, profeist. [ME and e.m.E. professed (c1315), profeste (c1400), ME also profes (1297), F. profès, professe (12th c. in Hatz.-Darm.), having made one's profession of religion, L. profess-us ‘having professed or declared publicly’, p.p. of profitērī Profes v.] Having taken one's vows or dedicated oneself solemnly, in (into) (= to) a pilgrimage, religion, in a religious house or religious residence or amang a religious community, and absol.In passive and as the head of a post-modifying adj. phrase.(1) 14.. Burgh Laws c. 67 (A).
Of a burges professyt [B. gane] in pilgrimagis: Giff ony burges … be profest [B. gane] in pilgrimagis to the haly land … his hous … sal be in the kingis pece … quhyll … God bring him hame again 1538 Grey Friars 36.
George Hugoun … off his avin fre will … grantit to be profeist in the Freiris Minouris of Haidintoun, in ralegioun of the sam ordour and to taik the aibet tharof 1546 Lynd. Trag. Card. 408.
Uirginis profest in to religioun 15.. Clar. v 2694.
The king … Was then profest into religioun(2) 1511 Reg. Privy S. I 346/1.
And als licence to Elizabeth Swintoun, nun professit in the said place, to purches the said abbay 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 918.
I traist scho bene … Profest amang the systeris of the Schenis 1570 Calderwood in Bk. Univ. Kirk I 179.
When any man profest in ane abbay shall be chosen ministrator … be … these that have been profest in ane abbay 1596 Dalr. I 266/7.
That quha in thir clostiris war to be professit [L. includendi] sulde studie to lettres and vertues(3) a1538 Abell 114a.
He wes neuir a sone of religioun for he wes nocht newice nor professit c1552 Lynd. Mon. 4306.
Fair ladyis of relegioun Proffessit in euery regioun

b. transf. and fig. Having dedicated oneself in (to) a certain way of life or to residence or intimacy with a deity or person.(1) 1535 Stewart 3473.
In drinking, dissin, hurdome and harlatrie, He wes profest ane fule in sic folie(2) 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 708.
And thocht ȝour spreit with Pluto war profest Deuotelie sall ȝour derigie be addrest 1540 Id. Sat. 3779 (B).
And Gud Counsale with Lady Veretie Ar profest with our kingis maiestie