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.
Quotation dates: 1399-1400, 1456-1654
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Theology, -ie, n. Also: theolog(y)e, -i, theollogie. [ME and e.m.E. theologie, teologye (both Piers Plowman), theology (c1425), F. théologie, L. theologia.] Theology, freq., the subject of theology as taught in a university. a1400 Legends of the Saints xxxvi 699.
Twa doctouris of theology … thar-of disputacione Thai held lang 1456 Hay I 73/19.
God will schaw to him thare quhilk is clene, quhilk foule, quhilk is agayne Goddis lawis of theology, and haly scripture 1456 Hay I 221/18.
Sa cumis thare a licenciate of London, Inglis man borne, till Paris to be doctour in canoun or theologye 1481 Grey Friars II 129.
Frer James Lyndessay, bachylar in theologe, wycar generalle of the freris minoris of Scotlande 1490 Irland Mir. I 12/17.
The … science of theologie … teichis men the gret dignite of eternall joy of paradice and the way and the mene tocum to it 1490 Irland Mir. I 16/4.
To emples thi hienes I sall lauboure sua … that, … studeand this werk, thou sal be richt perfit in theologi 1531 Bell. Boece I 196.
This was the first time that the Scottis began to leir theologe [M. theologye] … be clerkis quhilkis war send be … the pape 1535 Stewart 29286.
Theologie 1540 Lynd. Sat. 3166 (Ch.).
Bring vs sum doctours of divinitie, With licents in the law and theologie 1579 Edinb. B. Rec. IV 136.
Counsall to be had anentis the erection of ane college of theologe 1581 Hamilton Cath. Tr. in Cath. Tr. (STS) 85/23.
Althocht neuir ane is auancit in ony art liberal or mechanik vithout ane experimentit maister, yit in theologie euerie ane prætends to be vearie lairnet vithout all instruction of doctors and maisters 1596 Dalr. II 40/11.
Neist he … institutes be ane edict that na man excepte first bachler in the canon law or doctour of theologie in ony cathedral kirk be admitted channoun 1596 Dalr. II 224/5.
Mony ȝeiris theologie in Paris he had red with gret solemnitie 1597 James VI Dæmonol. (STS) 29/39.
These meanes shall … make vs to eschew the falling into innumerable absurdities, both monstruouslie against all theologie diuine, and philosophie humaine 1630 Kirkcaldy Presb. 8.
The brethren to be cairfull to bring thair moneyes for interteyning the bursar of theologie Mr. George Gillespie 1654 Glasg. Univ. Mun. III 578.
To Mr. Johne Guthrie bursor of theollogie
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"Theology n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/theology>
