Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1896
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ABBACY, ABBASY, n. An abbey. [′ɑbəsi]Sc. 1896 Andrew Cheviot Proverbs 279:
Powbate an' ye break, Tak the Moorfoot in your gate — Moorfoot and Mauldslie, Huntlycote a' three, Five kirks and an abbacie! Jas. Beattie in his Scotticisms and Sir J. Sinclair in his Ob. Sc. Dial. mark this meaning as a Scotticism. Abbacy in St.Eng. means (1) the dignity, estate, or jurisdiction of an abbot; (2) the period during which anyone is abbot.