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.
Quotation dates: 1488-1491, 1569-1627, 1696
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Gysar, -ard, -art, n. [Cf. Guyser.] A mummer, masquerader. — 1488 Treasurer's Accounts I. 93.
In Lannerik to dansaris and gysaris 1491 Ib. 184.
To gysaris that dansyt to the king a1570-86 Maitland Maitland Folio MS xxi. 13.
I saw no gysaris all this ȝeir, Bot kirkmen cled lyk men of weir 1627 Lanark Presb. 5.
To summond the gysartes … , and to try out those who wer clothed in womens habit 1696 Maidment Sc. Pasquils 307.
Thou would terrify the souterkines More than a gyzard in black sheepskines
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"Gysar n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 16 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/gysar>
