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

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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Sapient, adj. (n.). [Late ME and e.m.E. sapient (1471), OF sapient (1180 in Greimas), L. sapient- wise, knowing, sensible.]

1. Wise, sagacious; also, learned, adept in study. b. Characterised by or pertaining to wisdom. c. As noun: A wise person, a sage. 1490 Irland Mir. II 8/34.
The sapient and wys Salamon sais [etc.] a1500 Bk. Chess 479.
A quene suld be richt werraye sapient 1528 Lynd. Dreme 597.
Sanct Paule, that doctour sapient 1530 Id. Test. Pap. 1031.
Gar lordis send thare sonnes … To seik science, and famous sculis frequent; Syne, thame promoue that war moste sapient a1538 Abell 65b.
He wes honest of maneris … in sermon maist sapient [etc.] 1540 Lynd. Sat. 3828 (Ch.).
That into Elgin … Sall be ane sute of clark[i]s sapient, Togidder with ane prudent precident 1549 Compl. 5/10. c1552 Lynd. Mon. 933.
Sche … patt hir husband in beleue … That he suld be als sapient As the gret God omnipotent Ib. 5675.
With … the rycht sapient Quene Saba 15.. Clar. i 349. 1560 Rolland Seven S. Prol. 117.
The wyse sages seuin, Quha was that tyme maist sapient vnder heuin c1568 Lauder Minor P. v 9.
The sapient Salomon, with wemen was confounditb. a1568 Bann. MS 298b/5.
Devyne doctowris … Sayis thair ar hid … Grave materis wyis and sapient Vnder the workis of poyetis gentc. 1549 Compl. 127/34.
Conformand til ane adagia of ane of the seuyn sapientis of Rome

2. Having a taste or savour, sapid.After the orig. sense of L. sapĕre. 1587-99 Hume 19/75.
All odors … Of euerie substance sapient, the sapor and the taist … the mouth will try in haist