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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SQUERE, n. Also sqwear, square. Sc. forms of Eng. squire (Kcd., Abd. 1880 Jam., squere, sqwear). [skwir, skwer]Lnk. 1911 Rymour Club Misc. 123:
There's auld Sir Simon the priest, And young Sir Simon the square; The cat's a comical beast, It's a' clad owre wi' hair.

[Orig. from O. Fr. escuyer, a shield-bearer, Lat. scutarius. For the phonological development cf. Queir and note s.v.]

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