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

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Tradesman, n. Also: trad(d)isman, tradsman, traidsman, tred(d)isman, tredsman, treadsman. [e.m.E. trades-man (1597), traydesman (1657).] A craftsman, one for whom a skilled craft is a livelihood; a member of a craft guild. Also in fig. context. 1609 Chron. Perth 12.
In ane parliament haldin at Edinburgh, it wes ordenit that ilk burgh sould hawe provestes within thaimselfis, actual tradismen 1631 Linlithgow B. Rec. 30 Sept.
That the craftismen of this brugh and all wther tredismen within the samein wha ar presentlie burgess … sall be als frie to wse the merchant tred with all kynd of merchandice … as ony wther merchant 1636 Bk. Old Edinb. C. XXXII 218.
Treddisman 1643 Elgin Rec. I 278.
The said Mr. John delyverit … generall letteris aganis wnfrie traddismen 16.. Maidment Balfour Ballads 3.
Tredsmen a1658 Durham Comm. Rev. 686.
No tradsmen usefull for mans life there a1658 Durham Commandments (1675) 250 (see Trading vbl. n. 3 (2)).
Trades-man 1659 Glasgow B. Rec. II 411.
Divers persones … throw … their misregardis and contempt to the magistratis, and … wther insolenceis ar lyklie to caus the … tredsmen … lois ther haill … priviledges 1661 Edgar Old Church Life 89.
Several merchants and traidsmen within burgh 1664 Pitcairne Spiritual Sacrifice 411.
If the trades-man, through neglecting his calling, suffer his tools to rust, he will make but bad work when he cometh to use them 1672 Edinb. B. Rec. X 123.
The most comprehensive way to secure all the just interesses of this burgh both of merchands and tradsmen 1672 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS 17 Sept.
Fynding the said Robert to be ane sufficient tradesman in the glover trade and [etc.] 1677 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS 12 Dec.
Unfrie tradesmen … exercing ther trades as fullie and frielie as if they wer friemen … to the great ruin of the frie tradesmen 1680 Dunferm. Ann. 350.
Treadsmen 1685 Murray Early B. Organ. I 167.
Brethren of Gild, and tradesmen, of which our cities consists, have all their equall share in the government of our royal-burrows 1695 Berw. Nat. C. XXXIII 4.
That non of the tread lym or plot the skins or buy pellets from any person excepting ane tradsman