Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

Secretary, -arie, -aré, n. [Med. L. secretaria secretariat (post-1337 in Latham), (clericus) secretarie (Sc.) (1479 in Latham) ? clerk of the secretariat; cf. late ME (c1440) secretorie, secretary a secret chamber or repository (OED).] Only in the phrase (the) office of (our, the) secretary. a. The royal secretariat, the office or department of state presided over by the royal Secretary of Scotland. b. The functions and position of the Secretary.In later instances perhaps confused with Secretar(e n.² 1514 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 14.
My lord postulate of Cambuskynneth, secretar, askit instrumentis that the lordis of consell thar present dischargit him nocht of his office, the said office of secretary 1550 Treas. Acc. IX 448.
To Neill Laing, scribe in the office of secretare, for his feyes be the said space [sc. of 4 years] [£160] 1553 Treas. Acc. X 215.
To Nele Layng, scribe in the office off secretarie 1570 Treas. Acc. XII 212 (see Secretar(e n. 2 b (2)). 1597 E. Loth. Antiq. Soc. III 35.
[The king grants him] all … that pairt of the office of the secretarie sa far as may be extendit to the keiping … of his majestie's signetis 1603 Reg. Privy C. VI 545.
We understanding the great and extraordinar travellis and chairges whilk ordinarlie followis the office of oure secretarie, and how that our secritar hes na allowance nor fie appointit to him for his panes and service