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.
Saxon, n. (adj.). Also: Saxone, Saxoun, (Saxion). [ME and e.m.E. Saxoyn (1297), -o(u)n (1388), Saxson(e (c1420), F. Saxon (1512 in Larousse); OF Saisne (1080 in Larousse), L. Saxon-, of WGerm. origin.]
A. noun. A member of a Germanic people, an inhabitant of Saxony, a number of whom invaded and conquered parts of southern Britain; an Englishman presumed to be descended from this people. c1450-2 Howlat 577 (A).
The Dowglas so dewe Wan wichtly of weir … Fra sonnis of the Saxonis c1475 Wall. i 7.
Our ald ennemys cummyn of Saxonys blud Ib. xi 1124. c1515 Asl. MS I 192/15, 17.
And sa remanit the Saxonis in the south part and we in the north vnto the tyme that the Danys dantit the Saxonis Ib. 199/1.
The quhilk fals Saxonis blud war evire ȝit aganis the Cristin faith 1531 Bell. Boece II 48.
Heldolus, quhilk pullit ane dagger fra ane Saxoun Ib. 35. 1533 Boece 270, etc.
Saxouns a1538 Abell xvi a.
King Arthuris banis wes eirdit xv fute deip that he sould nocht be found be the Saxionis 1549 Compl. 86/5, 6.
Sergestes and Engestes … tua Saxons that cam vitht aleuin thousand Saxons fra thair auen cuntra to support … the kyng of Grit Bertanȝe 1596 Dalr. I 3/30.
The same peple plane ignorant of the Ingles toung, oft names the Inglise men Saxons Ib. 187/5.
This Carancie … seruet … to Emperour Diocletiane. … He was amrel of ane nauie contrare the Frenches and Saxounis c1615 Chron. Kings 47.
Herduntus … desconfeitt the Inglismen and Saxonis in ane battall at Lochmabane
B. adj. Of or belonging to the Saxons, as sense A noun above. b. specif. (The) Saxone langage, toung, English (as opposed to Gaelic). c1420 Wynt. vii 583.
Syne Saxon and the Scottys blude Togyddyr is in yhon frely fwde 1535 Stewart 27309.
The Saxone herald thair remaningb. 1535 Stewart 29388.
Adanus … In Saxone langage wes nocht richt perfyte Ib. 29392.
The king [sc. Oswald] quhilk leirit quhen that he wes ȝoung The Saxone langage and the Scottis toung 1596 Dalr. I 85/19.
The Ingles men evin as the mair politick Scottis vses that ald Saxone toung 1698 Fam. Innes 6.
As the Saxon languadge prevailed (which banished the patronimicks) the surname of Innes arose from the lands
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"Saxon n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 27 Nov 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/saxon>