Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SYNOD, n. Also synat, seenit. Sc. forms and usages, in the Presbyterian Churches: one of the courts of the Church, intermediate between the Presbytery and the General Assembly, and consisting of the body of ministers and elders who are members of the Presbyteries in the province of the Synod and two representative members from each of the neighbouring synods (see quots.). In the smaller bodies, the Free Presbyterian and Reformed Presbyterian Churches, which have no General Assembly, the Synod is the supreme court. Adj. synodical. [′sɪnəd, †′sinət]Sc. 1715 J. Chamberlayne Present State Scot. 172:
The Provincial Synod consists of all the Ministers of the Province, with a ruling Elder from each Parish; they meet twice a year, chuse their own Moderator; the Business is to determine Appeals from the Presbyteries of their District, to enquire into the Behaviour of the several Presbyteries, and for that End inspect their Books.Sc. 1733 Session Papers, Brown v. Chalmers (17 Dec.) 6:
A Complaint by the Principal to the Synod, which was by the Synod referred to the General Assembly for Determination.Ayr. 1741 Ayr Presb. Reg. MS. (11 Nov.):
Concerning the Burses for the Lithuanian student at Edinburgh they appoint that the brethren each of them pay in ffour shillings sterling for two years of the Synodical Burse now due.Slk. 1818 Hogg B. of Bodsbeck xiii.:
Gin a hale synat had sworn, I coudna hae believed this.Sc. 1866 H. Scott Fasti Eccl. Sc. (1915) vi.:
The three Southern Synods of Merse and Teviotdale, of Dumfries, and of Galloway.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xxvii.:
The whole evangelical party left the Synod House, viz., the West Kirk . . . “We sortit yer nons at the Seenit.”Sc. 1965 Life and Work (Jan.) 11:
The Provincial Synod is composed of all the members of the Presbyteries within its bounds. There are twelve Synods in Scotland, and in addition there are two Presbyteries, Orkney and Shetland, which have synodical powers. In the days when travel was difficult and there were many disputed settlements of ministers the Synod was an important Court. Today many of its functions have been taken over by the General Assembly and few Synods occupy themselves with other than formal business.