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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Deacon, n.¹ Also: deacone, -oun, deakon(e. [Late variant of Decon(e, Decan(e.]

1. The chief official of a craft or trade.(a) 1566 St. A. Baxter Bks. .
Ve … as bryther off the sad craft vith consent … off the sad deacon Thomas Mourtoun for the tym admittis him [etc.] 1588 Ib. 33.
Dauit Kynneir, deacone of the baxteris 1622-6 Bisset II. 269/31.
The deacones of craftis suld have voit in the said electioun 1641 Acts V. 593/2.
That no deacone nor quarter master can be gevin to the saidis hatmakeris, not being ane craft 1658 Lanark B. Rec. 162.
Everie traid and deacoun … to sit in their respective seats and places as … formerlie 1691 St. A. Baxter Bks. 26 n.
The same stuff shall be bocht be the deacon of the craft … to the utilitie of the haill brethren(b) 1578 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 94.
The deakonis of the baxteris, barboris [etc.] 1597 Acts, Jas. I § 39.
Ilke craft suld haue ane deakon 1661 Edinb. Test. LXX. 61 b.
Alexander Cleghorne deakone of the wrichtis

2. Deacon convenar, the officer of a craft or trade by whom meetings were convened. Also deacon warner. 1587 Reg. Great S. 598/2.
Geo. Elphingstoun decanum conventorem lie deacon convenar 1598 St. A. Kirk S. 849.
Robert Narn as deacon warner is desyrit be the sessioun … to caus the deacones of craft compeir 1648 Glasgow B. Rec. II. 153.
That the deacone conveaner … caus the tred mak ane new electioune of ane deacon 1658 Lanark B. Rec. 161.
The baillies … haveing hard … the complents given in to them by the deacoune convenar and deacoune of wrichts anent the ordoring of the deacounes seats in thair loft