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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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

†SECONDAR, n. Also -er. In St. Andrews University: a student of social rank below that of a nobleman, somewhat sim. to the gentleman commoner of Oxford and Cambridge. They had special gowns and other privileges and paid higher fees. These distinctions were abolished in 1829. Also attrib. See Primar and Ternar.Sc. 1716 Two Students (Dickinson 1952) 67:
Dues at the Graduation. To the Regent for each Seconder. 40 merks.Sc. 1799 Edb. Weekly Jnl. (8 May) 149:
Mr. Hemming, a first year student of the seconder rank.Fif. 1807 J. Grierson St Andrews 183:
The second description [of students] were termed Seconders. These were furnished with gowns of an equally fine quality, but not so richly trimmed. and paid at their entrance to a class three guineas.Fif. 1819 P. R. S. Lang Duncan Dewar (1926) 35:
Each Luminator received half-a-crown from each Secondar, and one shilling and threepence from each Ternar.m.Sc. 1934 Chambers's Jnl. (Jan.) 5:
Jock ranked as one of the few ‘secondars', or scions of the gentry.