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.
Quotation dates: 1450-1510
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Sergin, -ent, Sargeand, Seriand, n. [? Erron. for or altered from Saracen(e n. or Soudan(e n. or = Syrian (ME sirien (Alex.), seryen (Chaucer). Cf. also Siriane adj).] a. ? = Soudan(e n. 1 b (the ruler of Babylon or another Islamic country). b. ? A powerful pagan figure. Cf. Saracen(e n. 2 and Soudan(e n. 2. Also attrib. —a. 1460 Hay Alex. 17191.
The Cane of Tartary … with the Sergent past to Babillone —b. c1500 Interl. Droich 5.
Se ȝe not quha is cum now … With the quhirle wind? A sargeand out of sowdoun land [Crying of Play A soldane owt of seriand land] A gyane strang for to stand 1450-1510 Gray MS vi 19.
Nyne The nobillest … Arthour, Charlis, Gothra, … Dauid, Judas, Josue, Jowis, Julius Cesar the sergin [etc.]
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"Sergin n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/sergin>
