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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

‡MANSWEAR, v. Also mansweir, -sweer; menswear; minswear (Uls. 1953 Traynor). To swear falsely, to perjure. Rare exc. in ppl.adj. mansworn, -sweirt, perjured, false (Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl., 1953 Traynor). Now only liter. [′mɑnswir, †′men-]Gall. 1711 Session Bk. Penninghame (1933) I. 302:
When ye have sworn I shall prove yow mensworn.Sc. 1725 Ramsay Gentle Shep. ii. iv.:
Mony lads will swear, And be mansworn to twa in half a year.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 111:
Fause an' mensworn will be the name ye'll get.Kcb. 1814 W. Nicholson Poems 95:
How that's the highest groat they'll gae, An' be mansworn thrice in a day.Slk. 1835 Hogg Tales (1874) 551:
Major Creighton and Mr John Hay had both man-sworn themselves.Sc. 1857 H. S. Riddell St. Matthew v. 33:
Thou salltna mansweer thysel, but sallt mak' guid untill the Lord thine aiths.Abd. 1875 W. Alexander My Ain Folk 174:
He described poor Sandy publicly, and very audibly, as a “man-sworn scoon'rel”.Sc. 1893 Stevenson Catriona xiii.:
Prestongrange promised me my life; if he's to be mansworn, here I'll have to die.Ayr. 1913 J. Service Memorables 199:
His crack was of fugie warrants . . . or the grupping of some dyvour who was mansweirt.