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.

†TERNAR, n. Also terner. A student of the third or lowest social rank in the University of St Andrews, obs. since 1829. See also Primar, Secondar.Sc. 1740 Herkless and Hannay College of St Leonard (1905) 227:
Twelve shillings scots from each Secondar and six shillings scots from each Terner.Fif. 1807 J. Grierson St Andrews 160:
The third description [of students] were named Terners, who had gowns of an inferior sort of cloth, without trimming, and paid one guinea and a half of fees.Sc. 1827 Evid. Commissioners Scot. Univ. (1837) III. 35:
The Primars are the sons of Noblemen; the Secondars are what they call Gentleman Commoners in England; and the Ternars are those of the common ranks of life. They pay different fees according to the rank they hold.