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

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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Monument, n. Also: monwment, monoment, mony-, moniment. [ME. and e.m.E. monument (Cursor M.) a sepulchre, late ME. and e.m.E. monyment (Prompt. Parv.), moniment (1559), monument a record, e.m.E. monument (c 1530) a memorial, F. monument, L. monu-, moniment-um.]

1. A written record of the past. 1375 Barb. xx. 44 (E).
And monymentis and lettrys ser, That thai off Ingland that tyme had … In-till that tretys wp thai gaff 1405 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV. 173.
Al charteris euidentis obligaciounis monumentis or instrumentis pertinentis to the saide lands c1420 Wynt. iii. 660.
As now oure oys is in lettrys, Monumentis [C. Monwmentis], or than chartrys, To rekyn fra the byrth off God 1554 Facs. Nat. MSS. III. xxxvi.
Lyke as the monumentis of auncient authors … declare 1581 Hamilton in Cath. Tr. (S.T.S.) 95/15.
As thair leying monumentis this day … beiris ouer great record Id. Ib. 103/10.
Quhar var the pastoris thairof before Caluin and quhair ar thair monumentis 1596 Dalr. I. 257/13.
Sedulius … of the actes and monumentis of the counsell in Rome … left … a notable wark 1622-6 Bisset I. 8/32.
To insist forther in the declaratioun of the antiquities & … prioritie of thir monumentis, … for inlaik of the Scottis registeris … foirsaidis Ib. 76/36.
Anentis the foundamentall monumentis and antiquities of this … realme 1666 Glasgow Chart. II. 98.
It cannot be maid appeare by any evident or moniment upon record

2. Anything which serves as a record or relic of the past; an antiquity. 1565 Treas. Acc. XI. 361.
That the monument of grit antiquitie new fundin be nocht demolisit nor brokin downe 1591 Aberd. B. Rec. I. viii.
Four ald … buikis … to be keipit for a monument be resoun of the antiquite 1596 Dalr. II. 340/9.
The King shawis her the thesauris of Ingland, appnes al his monumentis, shawis his antiquities 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Actilia.
An auld kinde of armour … quhairof ȝit sum are extant as auld monuments in the hielandes 1607 Dundee B. Laws 415.
With the handsenȝie and all vther monumentis perteining to the samyn [craft] c 1641–54 J. Gordon in Macfarlane's Geog. Coll. II. 534.
Strafillen, whair ar the ruynes and monuments of a fair kyrk

3. a. A structure, carving or other representation made or erected as a memorial. 1581 Fowler II. 56/29.
That image was onlye historicall maid for an declaratioun and monument of the hailing of the woman by Christ a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI 152.
As also he causit the master maisson set on the monument of his armes upoun the new biggit part of the castell 1628 Linlithgow B. Rec. 17 Oct.
To caus repear the fontane at the croce in respect the samein standis in swa oppin ane place as ane deid monoment 1677 Edinb. B. Rec. X. 301.
To commemorat his lady by erecting of a monument

b. Anything serving as a commemoration or memorial of a past event or state of affairs.As, monument of idolatrie, papistrie.(1) 1558-66 Knox II. 167.
That all place and monumentis of ydolatrie suld be destroyit 1574 Reg. Privy C. II. 391.
Persounis knawin and suspectit to haif and keip ymagerie or utheris monumentis of ydoatrie 1584 Ib. III. 686.
To ressave buik, write or ony uther monument of papistrie fra the saidis Jesuites and papistes 1638 Nat. Covenant in Facs. Nat. MSS. III. xcvii.
[Certain acts] doe condemne the monuments and dregs of bygane idolatrie(2) a1570-86 Maitl. F. clxx. 191.
A monument of marcie to remain Frome hence furth ay as it hes bein of ald(3) 1643 Acts Gen. Assembly 12.
Other abuses in hinging of pensils and brods … and such like scandalous monuments in the kirk