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 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Son(n)et, n. [e.m.E. sonettes pl. (1557), sonet (1575), sonnet (1599), MF sonnet (1537 in Larousse), f. It. sonnetto, ultim. derived from OF sonet, diminutive of son a musical air.]

1. A short lyric or love poem. 1568 Reg. Privy C. I 641.
Ane silver box … with all missive lettres … sonets or luif ballettis … send … betuix the Quene … and … Erll Boithuile 1572 Buch Detect. (1727) 115.
Certane French sonettis writtin be the Quene of Scottis to Bothwel 1590 James VI in Misc. Abbotsf. C. 216.
Madame as my sonnet sayes, I am, and man contineu best freind to yow 1613 Misc. Maitl. C. I 420.
Jhone Huchesoune … depones that Mr. George Semple … was wont to make lascivious ballads and sonets 1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 103.
He was making himselfe merry dancing a ballat with some of his nobility each being obliged to make a extemporary sonnet … the our-word being un cucou mene un autre

2. A sonnet, in the usual sense (some quots. in 1 may properly belong here). a1568 Bann. MS 211b heading.
Sonet 1611-57 Mure Dido & Æneas heading.
To the Reader. Sonet