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.

Sentinel(l, n. Also: centinnale, sentenell, sentrall, central, Centinell. [e.m.E. sentinel (1579), centinel(l (Shakespeare), sentinell (1591), F. sentinelle (1546 in Larousse). Cf. Sentry n.] a. A sentinel or sentry. Also attrib. b. A private soldier.a. 1567 Crim. Trials I i 493.
The twa sentinellis that stude at the ȝet that gangis to the uttir clois 1611-57 Mure Dido & Æneas i 507.
All [sc. bees] wisely for the winter do provide, … Parte at the ports, as sentinells abide 1631 Buccleuch Household Bk. 1 Oct.
All these stood sentinell at your lordschips house dore at denner and super tyme this weik they dynt soupt(b) 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 175.
They come furth of Edinburgh … to assalȝie the abbay; which, perceavit be thair sentrallis, schew the captane 1572–3 Peebles B. Rec. I 352.
That na centralis remoif of the wautsche quhill vtheris cum and be enterit in thair placesattrib. 1429–30 Ayr B. Ct. 6 March.
That na yhuman … wer hewyt clathtis … bot al anerly centinnale ȝumen in lordis houshaldis and rydarys with gentylmen and thar masterisb. 1692 Seafield Corr. 92.
Ane great pairtie … off Collonell Buchans regiement consisteing of ane captaine lyvetenent ensigne [etc.] … and 60 sentinells 1696 Edinb. B. Rec. XII 201.
The company raist in anno 1689 for guarding the toune hath ordinarly consisted of … 117 sentinels … 3 corporals … 3 drummers [etc.] 1698 Seafield Corr. 222.
They have also appointed six dayes full pay to each sentenell after disbanding to carry him home 1702 Misc. Maitl. C. III 90.
36 sentinels 7 d. each