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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Primar, n.¹ Also: primare, -air, -er, -eir, -ir, -o(w)r. [Med. L. primarius (8th c. in Latham) chief man, principal.]

1. The principal of a College of a Scottish University. Also Premier n., Primarius n. (and cf. Principal(l n.¹ and Provest n.).According to OED, the first head of St. Mary's College, St. Andrews, is designated in a document of 7 Feb. 1539 by Archbp. Beaton Primarius, but this title was appar. superseded by Principalis, Præpositus and Præfectus, esp. the last, e.g. in the New Foundation of 1553–4 (Comm. Univ. III 362 f.). ‘In St. Leonard's College, Primarius is frequent in the 17th c.; and at Edinburgh in the 17th c. this appears to have been the regular Latin form’ (OED). 1620 Aberd. B. Rec. II 370.
The credite … of the said college [supra of this burght] is michtelie preiudgit for want of a primar Ib.
That Mr. Willeame Forbes … salbe … delt with to accept vpoun him to be primar of the said college 1622 Misc. Bann. C. II 244.
Mr. Patrik Sandes, primar c 1628 Edinb. Univ. Chart. 65.]
[Officium Primarii 1635 Lundie Poems 4.
And for … some fairer obiect Salute our primare [infra the Principal] 1640 Aberd. B. Rec. III 243.
Doctour Willeame Guild, now primar of the Kingis College of Aberdeine c1646 Craufurd Edinb. Univ. fol. 40.
The primaris charge … was divided: The councill … chuseing Mr. Andrew Ramsay … to be rector of the universitie and professor of theologie, and Mr. Patrik Sands primar of the philosophie colledge Ib. fol. 59.
In Aprile the primars stipend was augmented 1646 Edinb. B. Rec. VIII 88. 1657 Nicoll Diary 205.
To be primer of the College of Glasgow 1658 Edinb. B. Rec. IX 87. 1658 Comm. Univ. I (Edinb.) 100. 1673 Greyfriars Interments 568.
Mr. Patrick Sandilands, late primir at Aberdeen 1675 Ib. 107.
Mr. Andrew Cant, primeir 1675 Edinb. B. Rec. X 227. 1676 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. IV 544.
The said William … had that night withdrawne himselfe to the colledge … without warrant of the primair a1679 J. Gordon Reformed Bishop (1679) 262.
For the inhancing of the revenues of the universities; especially of the primar, and masters of philosophy 1680-6 Lauder Observes 26.
This interdict … was … designed … to get out Mr. A. Cant from being primar 1686 Edinb. Marr. 156.
Primare 1687 Edinb. B. Rec. XI 216.
The councell … to admitt and receive the principall and whole professors … to be burgesses … viz. doctor Alexander Monro primar of the colledge [etc.] 1692 Ib. XII 95.
Before the primar and professor of divinity 1692 Pitcairn Assembly (1766) 58.
Wou'd you know … why the government has made the reverend Mr. Salathiel primar? 1704 Edinb. Univ. Chart. 153.
The reverend primare Doctor Monroe Ib. 159.
Primare

2. A student of the first rank at St. Andrews University or at Glasgow University.A primar was usu. the son of a nobleman, and paid higher fees than the other two ranks, for which see Secondar and Ternar. 1642 Comm. Univ. III (St. A.) App. 205.
That in place of the feast called the Bajan Act, each primar sall pay three lib., the secundar tuo lib. and every one of the rest of lower degree fyfteen shillinges 1655 Glasg. Univ. Mun. II 324.
The rates shal be 12 s. Scots ilk quarter for the primares 6 s. for the secundares and 4 s. for others of inferiour degree 1659 Ib. III 432. 1664 Lamont Diary 175.
He entered a primowr att the colledge tabell [St. Leonards College] … After that, he entred bajan vnder Mr. Allex. Skeene, regent ther 1684 Sc. Ant. XI 19.
If his sone be a primer his expence will be as foloueth … Item, to his regent [etc.] 1719 Life and Death of Sharp 34.
Not a few were of the best quality; and of these who are called primores [etc.]