Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

‡MISSIONAR, n. Also missioner. An itinerant, gen. non-Presbyterian or dissenting, preacher of an evangelical cast; a member of an Independent church (ne.Sc., Ags., Uls. 1963; Fif. 1816 A. Mercer Craw-court 13; m.Lth. 1882 J. Strathesk Bits from Blinkbonny 173; Kcb. 1893 Crockett Stickit Minister 24)). Comb. missionar-kirk. [′mɪʃənər]Mry. 1828 J. Ruddiman Tales 273:
The Missionars were sae rife in this parish, and the eggs so scarce, for every wife was hauling them to these preachers.Abd. 1865 G. Macdonald Alec Forbes xxv.:
These Independents went commonly by the name of Missionars in all that district; a name arising apparently from the fact that they were the first in the neighbourhood to advocate the sending of missionaries to the heathen. The epithet was, however, always used with a considerable admixture of contempt. . . . “Wha's preachin' at the missionar-kirk the morn?”Lnk. 1897 J. Wright Scenes Sc. Life 38:
The services held in the village, which were conducted by Mr Allan, the “missioner.”Abd. 1960 Stat. Acc.³ 589:
The Congregational Church, widely known as the Missionar Kirk of Huntly, was built about 1852. It was at first an Anti-burgher Church, but later when its founder Cowie had been cast out by Anti-burghers, it became the Congregational Church, the name “Missionar” being given to it in derision of its strenuous efforts in the cause of foreign missions.