Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 and 2005 supplements.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
COLLEGE, n. and v. Also coallege. Sc. usages. [′kɔlədʒ, ′kolɪdʒ]
1. n.
(1) A University. Except when accompanying the name of the University, always used with the definite art., even when the reference is not to any particular University. Gen.Sc. Also attrib.Sc. 1823 J. G. Lockhart Reg. Dalton I. 190:
Ay, ay, 'tis Oxford College ye're for, is it?Sc. 1935 D. Kirkwood My Life of Revolt 22:
For centuries the University of Glasgow was known officially as “the College of Glasgow” and, though moderns talk of “the 'Varsity,” the artisans, who are much more conservative in everything but politics, still refer to it as “the College.”Per. c.1800 Lady Nairne Songs (ed. Rogers 1905) 174:
Send a horse to the water, ye'll no' mak' him drink; Send a fule to the College, ye'll no' mak' him think.Fif. 1896 D. S. Meldrum Grey Mantle and Gold Fringe 236:
When it came to leaving school . . . and his mother wouldn't send him to the college, Walter sent him.Fif. 1991 Tom Hubbard in Tom Hubbard The New Makars 142:
Hei, coallege lawd, you, maister Raskauldnickov!
A'll tell ye ma feelawsophie o life.
Hence colleger, a student at a University.Sc. 1930 C. S. Black in Scots Mag. (Oct.) 26:
“'Tis no gangrel, but an honest lad from St Andrews College.” “A colleger? Preserve us! There's nae an honest lad amo' them.”Kcb. 1894 S. R. Crockett Raiders vi.:
Silver Sand was at that time and for long after, a problem like those they give to the collegers at Edinburgh.
(2) A course of lectures. Cf. Lat. collegium, Ger. kolleg, id., from 16th c. Continental univ. usage. Sc. 1771 Corresp. Boswell and Johnston (Walker 1966) 273:
My father has been as good as his word, in giving me a college upon the Election-Law of Scotland.Edb. 1738 Caled. Mercury (12 Sept.):
Mr Robert Law, Professor of Greek in the University of Edinburgh, begins his College the 10th of October next.Gsw. 1729 Caled. Mercury (2 Oct.):
The Humanity Professor of the University of Glasgow is to begin his usual Colleges to advanced Students on the Tuesday thereafter.
(3) Appar. a bedroom for several persons in common, a dormitory. Sth. 1761-79 Private MSS.:
[At Dunrobin] College. 4 beds. [At Embo] College. 2 tent bed steads.
2. v. To educate at a university. Ppl.adj. colleg(e)d. Common in m.Sc.Ags. 1819 A. Balfour Campbell I. iii.:
Now, say that the laddie's colleged, and leecenced to preach, what's he to do till he get a kirk, if ever he should be sae fortunate?Rnf. 1803 R. Tannahill Poems and Songs (1807) 83:
While colleg'd Bard[s] bestride Pegasus, An' try to gallop up Parnassus, By dint o' meikle lear.Kcb. 1893 S. R. Crockett Stickit Minister 127:
They hae colleged their son . . . honestly on plooin' an stockin'-knittin'.
