Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†INTENDER, n. Also intendent. In Freemasonry: one who instructed a novice in the mysteries of the craft (see quot.).Sc. 1714 R. F. Gould Hist. Freemasonry (1883) II. 400, 420:
In 1714 the lodge prohibited its journeymen from acting as deacon, warden, or “intendents.” . . . As with the minutes of certain other lodges, those of Dunblane contain numerous references to the appointment of “intenders,” or instructors, for the intrants.Sc. 1755 Scots Mag. (March) 133:
One person in the lodge instructed me a little about their secrets the same day that I entered, and was called my author; and another person in the lodge, whom I then chused to be my instructor till that time twelve-month, was called my intender.Sc. 1955 Pick and Knight Freemason's Pocket Ref. Bk. 140:
In the majority of Lodges Intenders were usually chosen out of the most junior members. The above are all Scottish instances.
