Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†PROPORTION, n. Sc. usage: the district assigned to an elder of the Presbyterian Church for visiting and general surveillance, a Quarter.Sc. 1704 R. Wodrow Analecta (M.C.) I. 52:
He had tuo persons under exercise, in his proportion, that were in the very same case, to deal with.Ayr. 1720 Ayr Presb. Reg. MS. (21 Dec.):
Their Ministers & the elder of their proportion being present befor presenting children to baptism.Lnk. a.1776 D. Graham Writings (1883) II. 29:
You James, who is the elder of that proportion.Sc. 1822 T. Chalmers Works XVI. 158:
Each parish is divided into districts called proportions, over which an elder is appointed.
