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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.

Seduce, v. Pres. p. also seducent. P.t. and p.p. seducit, -cet, -ced, -sit, sedoussit. [e.m.E. seduised p.t. (Caxton), seduce (1535), OF séduire (c1112) in Larousse); L. sēdūcere to lead aside or apart.]

1. tr. To induce (a person, once a state) to break an agreement of service or bond of loyalty or allegiance to a master or overlord; to entice away a servant, pupil or apprentice.(1) 1549 Compl. 78/31.
Xerxes kyng of Perse … seducit diuerse grit personagis to rebel contrar Athenes(2) 1562 Reg. Privy C. I 216.
Williame Brokkus, smyth … declarit that na persone seducit him fra the obedience of the quene and magistratis … nor yit seducit him fra his faith 1567 Crail B. Rec. in J. Lee Hist. Church Scotl. (1860) I 337.
The said Sr. George hes seducit the barnis and scoulars from the said Mr. Jhone c1569 Edinb. Hammermen I 2.
I … sall … nocht seduce nor fyst nane of my bretheris servandis or prenteisis fra thame … without thair licence(3) 1540 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 224.
James Robesone … seducit ane pouer servand under collour and fraudfully vauld haif caussit the pouer servand to breik his condicion he maid to the tother party 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 298.
He seducit Mr. James owin man, wha was appointed portar to the inner yeat c1590 Fowler II 75/22.
To mak the Frensh to lose Milan, he mutening and seducing the states on the borders of the duikdome 1679 Murray Lyon Hist. Lodge Edinb. 99.
The great abuse and usurpation committed be John Fulltoun … by seducing two entered prentises belonging to our lodge

2. To corrupt or lead astray in conduct or belief; to win over, induce or incite to (into) or to do something wrong or misguided.(1) a1500 Bk. Chess 904.
This tratour syne be name Seducit so the king in his entent [That] etc. a1538 Abell 7*b.
Mahumeit sedusit mony pepil be carnalite 1549 Compl. 97/31.
That ȝour facilnes be nocht sedusit be ther astuce and subtil persuasions a1561 Norvell Meroure 27a.
Be not seduced by mennis doctrine nor wind 1562-3 Winȝet I 62/9.
The leing maisteris quha … be thair suete flattering eloquence ar to seduce the hertis of the innocent 1573 Tyrie in Cath. Tr. 18/13.
Schir Johne Knox to seduce the semple people dois argument sua [etc.] a1578 Pitsc. II 9/36.
The quein and the cardinall hes seducit sa the lordis and corruptit thame with money 1581 Hamilton Cath. Tr. in Cath. Tr. (STS) 74/8.
Thaj var seducit … be volfis in lamb skynnis 1584 Melvill 202.
Sum of yow … lyk desperat pest folks … travelles to seduce and infect sic as ar haill 1616 Inverurie 201.
Five or sex … whilk … the said Jon. Mackieson haid seducit raiss up and plainlie opponit agains the samyn 1632 Lithgow Trav. ix 415.
Such a man can neither seduce his minority with ill examples, nor marre his waxen ape with a false impression 1682 Lauder Observes 83.
Some persons inhappily ware so far seduced by Satan … that they became ther oune bourreaus(2) 1519–20 Stirling B. Rec. I 3.
James Gryme … chesit Mergret Cuntas of Cassillis to be hus curatour and maid facht that he was nocht compellit, sedoussit nor coacit thar to 1547 Treas. Acc. IX 110.
Ane proclamatioun of the Protectour of Inglandis, set furtht in prent in Scotland to seduce the harttis of the pepill to his openyoun c1680 McWard Contendings 271.
Considering … the hazard the subjects of this blessed King are in, to be seduced into acts of high disloyalty and lese-majesty(3) 1549 Compl. 111/29.
I exort ȝou to tak exempil of diuerse nobil men that culd neuir be seducit nor persuadit to tak gold nor reches fra there enemeis 1549 Compl. 112/21. 1581–2 Reg. Privy C. III 437.
He being seducit be the said Edmond Pitscottie to cum furth of his awin house to speik with him under cullour that [etc.] 1651 Moray Synod 113.
Lady [blank] … to be censured for seducing a young man to forge a testimonial

3. To induce or persuade (a woman) to grant sexual favours; to seduce. b. intr., const. with = to have sexual relations with. a1538 Abell 26b.
He hard … at all wemen mycht be seducit be inductioun a1538 Abell 27a.
Becaus he failyet in his toung seducent his modir he chesit for pennance perpetuall silence 1559–60 St. A. Kirk S. 20.
Jonet Watsone subornate and seducet be Williame, and the[n] repellet a1568 Scott iv 18.
The wysest scho may sone Sedusit be and schentb. 1597 Misc. Spald. C. I 172.
The Deuill … seducit with thé and assurit thé thow suld newir want