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 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Modern(e, a. [F. moderne (15th c. in Hatz.-Darm.), late L. modernus (6th c.); also e.m.E. modern(e (1585).] Present, contemporary.a. Belonging to the present day or recent past as distinguished from those of the remoter past. b. Living at the present time, alive today. c. Applied to the current holder of a position, title, etc.Appar. recorded only of persons. 1456 Hay I. 266/4.
Gif a man proponis [etc.] … he suld suere … that it is sa suithely, be alde doctouris. Bot, be the opynioun of the doctouris oure maisteris modernis … he suld say he traistis fermly it be sa c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxxxv. 5.
Hodiern, modern, sempitern, Angelicall regyne! 1516 Fife Sheriff Ct. 45.
Jonete Balfour the spous of wmquhile Dauid Allardes … & Thomas Baird … hir spous moderne 1555 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 285.
In name of our maist gracious quene moderne 1577 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 62.
Quhilkis lytis being presentit to my lorde archibischop of Glasgow moderne c1590 Fowler II. 135/23.
Thir moderne prences mainteneth na … suddarts 1597 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 185.
Hew Erle of Eglingtoune moderne, ane noble and potent lorde 1617 Misc. New Spald. C. I. 117.
Servandis to our most gratious moderne soverane lord James