Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CLASS, n. Sc. Church usage: a Presbytery in the Church of Scotland. This usage became obs. in the 17th c. but survived in Ayrshire in reference to districts within the Presbytery of Ayr where the members met from time to time for religious exercises and study (see quots.). Now only hist. Hence adjs. classic(k)(al), pertaining to a class, held by a class.Ayr. 1710 Ayr Presb. Reg. MS. (3 Oct.):
The classe that meets at May boll are to take a specimen of Mr Robert Alexander his proficiency in his studies. Ayr. 1722 K. Hewat Little Sc. World (1908) 70:
The minister proposed to the Session that besides the usual meetings for prayers with him they would divide themselves into two classes for prayer among themselves, and keep up these classick meetings as frequently as conveniency would allow. Ayr. 1738 Ayr Presb. Reg. MS. (14 March, 5 Oct.):
The brethren of the classe of Ayr to visit the Grammar school of Ayr the Tuesday before the next Presbytery at Ayr. . . . The Classe of Cumnock had called Mr William Steel student of Divinity before them and had taken some tryals of his knowledge in divinity. Ayr. 1765 A. Edgar Old Church Life (1885) 348:
P.Q. was ordered to appear at a classical meeting at Cumnock. Ayr. 1845 Stat. Acc.2 V. 375:
The Carrick Class, though it has frequently been proposed, having never been erected into a presbytery, has yet retained the old name, and kept up its meetings, with occasional periods of interruption, down to the present day.
[The word, sometimes in its Lat. form classis, was used in the Presbyterian Churches in England in the mid 17th c., and in Holland and U.S.]
