Dictionaries of the Scots Language
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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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

(Sudary,) Sudarie, Sudar(e, n. Also: sudor, -our, swdour, -owre. [ME and e.m.E. sudary (Cursor M.), sudarie (Wyclif), sudayr (Caxton), sudare (1485), L. sūdārium, f. sūdor.]

1. A napkin or kerchief for wiping sweat from the face; specif., one which has belonged to an apostle or saint and is therefore believed to have healing powers. a1400 Leg. S. i 53.
In his bosum ay he bare A sudare, to wepe his ene a1400 Leg. S. iv 85.
Quhen the sudar wes lad One Phylet, … He wes lousit bath fut and hand c1520-c1535 Nisbet John xi 44.
He that was deid com out … his face bundin with a sudarie c1520-c1535 Nisbet Acts xix 12.
And God did virtues nocht small be the hand of Paule, Sa that on sekemen the sudarijs war born fra his body and seeknessis departit fra thame

2. An ecclesiastical vestment worn over the shoulders, leaving the ends loose in front for holding or carrying sacred vessels. 1503 Treas. Acc. II 290.
For ij elne rede taffeti, to be tua sudaris 1552 Coll. St. Salvator 126.
[Among the vestments should be included] of claith of gold for the hee altar … ij sudouris [and] of quhit silk for the sam … ij sudouris [together with the] maild swdoure 1555 Crail Ch. Reg. 65.
Twa sudoris of dene sylk for the seruyce in pascha

3. ? A sepulchre-cloth, a covering or hanging for the model of a sepulchre in a church on Good Friday.The 1454 quot. may properly belong in 2. 1454 Inv. in Dundee B. Ct. I 3b.
Twa clathis for the sepultare. Item twa sudaris a1500 Coll. St. Salvator 133.
[The Easter Sepulchre is described as] ane gret sepultur with ane ymage off our Saluiour liand therwithin and ane swdour of quhit silk abon the sam