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

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Actor, Actour, n. Also: actur. [ME. actour (14th c.), e.m.E. actor, L. actor.]

1. An agent, esp. in Law, one who acts on behalf of another. 1481 Instr. H. Scheves (MS).
[I] Henry Scheues … ordanis … James Barcla … my verray lauchfule and wndoutit procuratour, actour, factour and erande barer 1516 Reg. Privy S. I. 423/1.
All utheris his … fermoraris, actouris, factouris, procuratouris and intromettouris 1558-66 Knox II. 558.
The principall author, deviser, and actor of the cruell murther of the late King 1610 Crim. Trials III. 105.
Ȝea … being actoris, airt and pairt with vtheris … invadit and persewit the said schip 1660 Glasgow B. Rec. 445.
The provest … is appoyntit to be soll actour therintill 1696 Decis. Lords 744.
The King's Advocate insisting in his indictment and libel against Sir Patrick as actor, art and part

b. Law. A pursuer. 14.. Acts I. 362/2.
And he haf nocht a borch til fynde, ... he that is actor folowand aw to be kepyt withoutyn scath 1561 Reg. Privy C. I. 174.
The gudis libellit ar allegit … to pertene to the actouris 1622-6 Bisset I. 44/5.
Gif the actor invaid the defendare, his partie salbe absolved fra the petitioun

2. An author, originator. See Autour. 1549 Compl. 37/1.
Ane Monolog of the Actor 1562-3 Winȝet II. 56/25.
A mater … in quhilk thow suld nocht be an actour (inuentour or forgear), bot a keipar 1567 Reg. Morton I. 23.
The actouris of sic fals reports

3. A performer. 1561 Edinb. B. Rec. III. 123.
Vpoun consideratioun of the necessar and godlie seruice dalie done be Ihonne Carnys, actour of the mornyng prayeris