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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.

Squar(e, Squair(e, n. Also: sqwar(e, sqwaire, skwar, swair. [ME and e.m.E. suire, squire, squyre (all Cursor M.), sqware (Wyclif), square (c1400), OF esquire, esquare.]

1. The shape of a square, specif. a square on a chess-board. b. With reference to the measurement of the base (of a building, etc.). Also in square. c. The flat, rectangular side of the cross-piece of the firlot (Firlot n. 2), see Squarit ppl. adj. c. d. fig. ? With reference to regularity of shape or symmetry. a1500 Bk. Chess 2016, 2017, 2020.
And as the chekker in four sqwar is met And ilk sqwar with viij poyntis is set The quhilk poyntis be aucht to multiply Thre scor and iiij it makis verely Richt so this tovne in four sqwar was wrochtb. c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2432.
Nabuchodonosor … did prepare One image … Thre score of cubyts heycht, and sax in square a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1825) 105.
Certayne … peces of aykin tymber … measurit according to the squair of the towre heid 1657 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 166.
Restoring alse good ane trie in lenth and squarc. 1587 Acts III 522/1 (see Squarit ppl. adj. c).d. c1590 Fowler I 247/4.
My name … quhilk thow, my nymphe, ingraued Vpon that plane … Is baith off forme, off squair, and schape bereued

2. The (carpenter's) square, an instrument for measuring and determining right angles. Also of the squar, ? as measured by a carpenter's square. Cf. also Reule n.¹ 10. b. fig. Abone the, under, upone sqware, ? up to a correct standard of materials or workmanship. Only in M. Works Acc. c. fig. With reference to the instrument as a measure of rectitude. Also break square(s, infringe the rules, ? upset a system.(1) 1579, 1617 Despauter (1579).
Norma, a squair or reule 1615 Edinb. Test. XLIX 14.
Item ane braisin square … xxx s. 1674 Knoop & Jones Sc. Mason 59.
[Unqualified masons, not to know] the privilege of the compass, square, level and plumbrule(b) 1647 Edinb. Test. LXIII 67.
Four wark buirds with compasis and swairs and vther small wortloomes(2) 1512 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III 109.
Na tre to be put in the said stule [sc. of a mill] bot new aik, a large fute of the squar quhen it is dychtit(b) 1513 Treas. Acc. IV 483.
For xxx lang dalis, ilk daill xxx^ti fut vj inch of the skwar and ij fut braid, to Johne Broun of Anstrutherb. 1583 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I 310.
The said Cheppell Royall in Stirling the rwif thairof has bene wrang wrocht mekill under sqware that the thak of the same is off [gap] skailȝe and is ane verray lycht thak … it is necessar to pwt ane new rwif … and the said rwif to be mekill abone the sqwaire 1583 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I 311.
This being done the close and cowrt will stand neirby upone sqware in all pairtis quhilkis workis wilbe large expensc. c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus iii 536.
It was na luif it was bot fenȝeit fair For in sic luif is nother reull nor squair Bot blindid lufe, corrupt with crueltie 1598 Melvill Propine 10.
Do nathing this day, bot that whilk … directed be the square of thy law, may tend to thy praise 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 112.
Trie your affections … be the square of God's law 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 43/34 (1603).
By superstition, I meane, when one restraines him selfe to any other rule in the seruice of God then is warranted by the worde the onlie true square of Gods seruice 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 78/8.
Squaire 1598 James VI Minor Prose (STS) 58/18.
Ȝe sall herewith be armed against their sirene songs, laying their particular examples to the square of these groundes 1609 Reg. Privy C. VIII 554.
That the ordour so wyslie prescryved be your Majestie salbe the squair and reule of thair doingis 1658 R. Moray Lett. fol. 333.
It will not break squares between us 1699 Forrester Bishops Claim ii 101.
If he once break square thus, and infringe his own rule