glossary of archaic Scots terms S

Scotland - a glossary of archaic terms, as well as a number of Modern Scots words and phrases, useful for genealogical research. Legal terms, words linked to property and possessions, found in wills and testaments.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

SADILL OF AIK, seat (sedilium) of oak.

SAIDIS, aforesaid.

SAIDLES, saddles.

SAIFAND, saving.

SALBE, shall be.

SALMOND, salmon.

SALT BACKET, salt tub.

SALTFAT, or SALTFOOT, of tun, a saltcellar of pewter.

SALTPANS, pits where salt is made.

SAMEKLE, so much.

SAMEN, same.

SANGIS, Songs.

SASINE, act giving legal possession of property of land or house ; the deed recording the act.

SAULD, sold.

SCHADE, shadow.

SCHEIP, sheep.

SCHEIPHIRDIS, shepherds.

SCHEIPCOTTIS, sheep-cotes.

SCHO, she.

SCHRYNE (scrine), shrine, desk, screen.

SCRUITTORE, escritoire, writing-table.

SCULE, sculis, school(s).

SCUTIFER, shield bearer.

SE'ALL, contraction for severall, several.

SELCH'S SKIN, seal's skin.

SELFFIS, selves.

SENSYNE, since that time.

SEPTEMTRIONAL, north.

SEPULTURE, grave.

SETT, let to.

SERVATOR (servitor, servites), agent, secretary, apprentice ; also napkin.

SERVICE, SPECIAL, as heir to a special subject, as property, etc.

SEVINE, sewln, seuyn, seven.

SEX, six, sext, sixth, sexten, sixteen.

SEYE, sea.

SHADOW HALF, north side of land.

SHAG LYNING, cloth having a rough nap.

SHAMBO GLOVES, made of chamois leather.

SHEDS OF LAND, portions or fields of land.

SHERIFF CLERK, clerk to the sheriff court, and keeper of the records.

SHERIFF IN THAT PART (i.e., in that behalf), one ap�pointed by the crown to act in place of the sheriff in a particular instance.

SHERIFFDOM, the district under jurisdiction of sheriff, a county ; see s. Barony, Regality.

SHUTTLES, small enclosed drawers of a cabinet.

SHOD, shode, shot, " lie shot," i.e., lying separate from the rest.

SICKLIKE, siclyk, like as, likewise, in like manner.

SKAITHLESS, without hurt or damage.

SKAITH, hurt or damage.

SLEIST sluther vagabond ; lazy slothful person.

SOAM, a rope or chain by which a plough is drawn.

SOMMANCE, summons.

SONE, soune, 1. son, 2. sun.

SONEY, sunny.

SOUMES, sums.

SOUTHT, south, southyn, southern.

SPEET (speit), spite ; also spit for roasting.

SPLEUCHIS (A PAIR OF), splints.

SPRINGZIE RAPPER, springy rapier.

SPUILZIED, robbed or despoiled.

STAFF AND BATON, delivery by, symbols used on resignation of lands by a vassal into the hands of the superior.

STAIG, young horse.

STAITHLESS, scaithless, see skaithless.

STAPIS, tyn, stoups, large pitchers of tin.

STEALL, stale.

STEDDYNGIS, steding, farmhouse and outhouses.

STENT, tax. Also as a verb, to tax ; stentar, one who collects the stent.

STOUP, a vessel for carrying water from the well.

STRIB, iron and girdis (stirroubis, stirribis), stirrups (iron) and girths.

STUIVER, a Dutch coin ; cp. "Stiver."

SUBMISSION ; see s. Decreet arbitral.

SUNNY HALF, south lying portion of lands.

SUPERIOR OF LANDS, the overlord from whom title is derived.

SURRENDER, DECREET OF, ordering the tithes or teinds to be yielded to the crown.

SUSPENSION, LETTERS OF, ordering the non-execution of charges proceeding on bills, bonds, or decrees until pleas be heard.

SYD, side.

SYLEBOB GLASS, syllabub (drink made of milk mixed with cider, rum, whisky etc, sweetened, spiced, served warm).

SWIPPIT, supped.

SWMES, sums.

SYMBOL; see s. Notarial.

TO INDEX

This glossary is under constant revision. We welcome all contributions of archaic terms linked to Scotland, that may be helpful in genealogical research. Please complete the SUGGESTIONS FORM with your ideas, additions and corrections. Thanks!

O my deir hert, young Jesus sweit,

Prepare thy creddil in my spreit,

And I sall rock thee in my hert

And never mair from thee depart.

But I sall praise thee evermoir

With sangis sweit unto thy gloir;

The knees of my heart sall I bow,

And sing that richt Balulalow!

Text by the brothers Wedderburn, 1567

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