A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1500-1683
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Authour, Author, n. Also: authoure, awthour, awthore. [Later var. of Auctour and Autour, corresp. to e.m.E. authour, author (1529).]
1. A writer; an authority in writing.(a) 1531 Bell. Boece I. 10 (sum authouris sayis … ). 1533 Id. Livy I. 106/24. 15.. Clariodus iv. 1732 (as myne awthour hes maid rehearsing). a1570-86 Arbuthnot Maitland Folio MS xxx. 93 (as ethnyk authouris). 1585 James VI Ess. 78 (sonnet of the authour).(b) 1513 Doug. iv. Prol. 92 (myne author techis so). 15.. Clariodus iv. 254 (myne awthore). 1558 Q. Kennedy Tractive 97 (the furthsetter and author of the samyn). a1578 Pitsc. I. 252/12 (Schir Androw Wode is my author).
2. A contriver or deviser.1567 Gude and Godlie Ballatis 101 (gif that thay the authoure of it be). a1578 Pitsc. I. 254/7 (the authour and ground of all peace). 1596 Dalr. I. 202/8 (authoris of the weiris).
3. An ancestor. 1609 Acts IV. 444/1.
The markland of Poleskine … Haldin be the said James Maxwell or his authouris off the lord Maxwell 1618 Wemyss Chart. MS.
Be vertew of infeftment grantit to him, his predicessoris and authoris 1635 Stirling's Royal Lett. II. 854.
Ground whairof he and his authours war in peaciable possession … past memorie of man 1641 Acts V. (1817) 555/2.
The haill auld evidents & wretts … Maid to the said James, his predicessouris & authoris wer brunt 1683 Decis. Lords F. 23.
It being alledged for the Earl, That he and his authors, Constables of Dundee, being infeft in the patronage of the Kirk of Dundee [etc.]
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"Authour n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/authour>
