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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
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Suppost, Supposit, n. Also: suppoist, suppositt, (suppos). [e.m.E. suppost (Caxton), MF suppost (1380 in Larousse), L. supposit-, p.p. stem of suppōnere Suppone v.]

1. An adherent or supporter; a servant, representative or agent.Chiefly with pejorative connotations.(1) 1558-66 Knox II 276.
The Quenis flattering wordis, upoun the ane pairte … and the subtile persuasionis of hir suppostis … upoun the other parte, blynded all men 1589 Bk. Univ. Kirk II 759.
The imminent dangers threatned to the said religion, as well by … the holy league, as by outward and intestine practises of the favourers and supposts thereof amongst ourselves c1590 Fowler II 26/28.
Truly if the mater war weil tryit in the Maturinis, he wald be found an vnthankfull suppost to staene the honnour of his chief magistrat 1591–2 Warrender P. (SHS) II 168.
The enemeyis to God … who being allwayes led with one spreit ceases not daylie to stirre up thair suppostis and desperat ministers to essay the taking away of laufull princes a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1825) 29.
To rewll be thair usurpit supposts in Scotland, as they had done before in the dayis of King Robert Bruce 1597 Reg. Privy C. V 396.
The sect of Jesuitis send oute and dispersit ouer allquhair be the Pape and his suppostis 1600 Hamilton Facile Tr. 71.
The autheurs of al heretical sectes and thair supposts layis tua fals fundaments of religion(b) 1593 Misc. Spald. C. I 7.
The commound ennemies of our native cuntrie, sick as of Spain and all thair suppoistis, ieswittis, prestis [etc.](2) 1578 Conv. Burghs I 58.
That guid ordour and competent waiges be appoyntit to the fyschearis and pylatis, incais oure natioun or particular suppost thairof haue to do for inbringing thair schippis outpassing or conuoying about the ile 1578 Conv. Burghs I 59.
Ony wariance betuix ony suppost of oure natioun and ane of the towne 1647 Baillie Anabaptism Pref. (1647) A 2.
Have the supposts of Rome (think we) lost all their wonted stomach towards Protestant blood?

b. fig. A person regarded as being in the service, or doing the bidding, of Satan.Cf. F. suppôt de Satan (1662 in Larousse).(a) 1565 Misc. Wodrow Soc. 287.
Sathan can transfigure himself into ane angell of lycht, and mak his suppostis appeare as manteanaris of Goddis glory 1572 Sat. P. xxxiii 291.
Do that ȝe can To follow Christ and chais away Sathan, With his supposts 1579 Calderwood III 454.
All the letts that Satan and his craftie supposts can devise 1584 Calderwood IV 4.
The blasphemous mouths of the supposts of Sathan c1590 Fowler II 28/21.
It is by plain dissimulation, that this suppost of Satan iniyres him selfe in the companie of them that feareth God a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1825) 243.
In trying and examening of Sathans supposts, sik as sorcerers and witches, in great nomber throw all the cuntrie 1587-99 Hume 167/41.
O Lord … put end … to the rage and insolencie of Sathan, and of all his supposts 1638 Henderson Serm. 116.
The kingdom of Antichrist & all the supposts thereof 1638 Henderson Serm. 275.
The devil … has evermore his awin supposts, and malignant spirits anew(b) 1605 Reg. Privy C. VII 149.
This detestable plott [sc. the Gunpowder Plot] quhilk without the [concurse of all the] devillis and malignant spiritis within [ … this] univers, thair suppoistis and deputyes … could nevir [have] bene excogitat

2. A student or servant of a university.‘The three Universities in Scotland founded during the course of the 15th century, were formed on the model of those of Paris and Bologna. The general name applied to students of all ranks was Supposita, or Supposts; implying that they were subject to the Provost and Masters in the University.’ Knox I App. xiv 558.‘The term ‘supposts’ meant non-graduate scholars, but might be extended to include all members of the University (even its servants) and university ‘clients’ (such as booksellers).' Knox (1949) II 297 n. 1452 Glasg. Univ. Mun. II 60.
[Super divisione suppositorum universitatis per quatuor naciones electi fuerunt quatuor intrantes pro electione novi rectoris, videlicet [etc.] 1453 Glasgow Chart. I ii 39.]
Vobis rectori universitatis Glasguensis, doctoribus, magistris, ceterisque suppositis ejusdem universitatis(a) 1522 Comm. Univ. III (St. A.) App. 180.
Apone the sadis rector, doctouris … scolares or utheris suppostis of the said Universite 1522 Glasg. Univ. Mun. I 49.
The said exempcionis … and priuilegiis foirsaidis grantit to the said Vniuersite rectouris and suppostis thairof 1553 Dundee B. Ct. II 272a (28 Nov.).
Cristen Brovne had constitut maister Jhone Brovne suppost of the vniuersite of Sanct Androis hir donotour 1560 Bk. Disc. 214.
We think expedient that nane be admittit unto the first colledge, and to be suppostis of the universitie, onles he have frome the maister of the schole and the minister of the toun whair he was instructed in the toungis, ane testimoniall of his learnyng, docilitie, aige and parentage 1560 Bk. Disc. 217.
Then shall … convene [sc. for the election of a rector] the hoill principallis, regentis, and suppostis that ar graduat, or at the least studyit thair tyme in Ethiques, Œconomiques and Politiques 1589–90 St. A. B. Ct. 17 March.
He granttis the persewar to be ane regent and suppost of the vniuersitie 1591 St. A. B. Ct. 14 Dec.
Maister Thomas Buchquhanan is suppost of the vniuersitie of Sanct Andros and ane actuall student of thealogie 1640 Comm. Univ. II (Glasg.) App. 257.
The civill priviledges and other rights of the said Universitie, which they and all the supposts thereof are obliged by ther oath to maintaine 1657 Glasg. Univ. Mun. I 340.
Professors masters regents students pedalls wrytters … and all others suppostes members … of our said universitie(b) 15… Sc. Hist. Rev. XXIII 209.
To the preiudice of the quhilkis universiteis and thair privilagis the saidis advocattis being supposis [sic in pr.] of auld ar sworne to do na hurt(c) 1532 Comm. Univ. III (St. A.) App. 181.
Our lovittis oratouris, the rector, studentis and suppositis of the Universite of Sanctandris 1533 Boece 352b.
All this vniuersite menis nocht ellis bot that the suppositis thareof has … ferme esperance to haue intelligence and science 1633 Acts V 73/1.
The Vniversitie of Sanct Andrewes … the rectors regents … students … and vthers suppositts of the same vniversitie

3. In grammar: The subject (of a verb). c1616 Hume Orthog. 30.
We inquyre of that we wald knaw; as, Made God man without synne? And in this the supposit of the verb followes the verb c1616 Hume Orthog. 31.
We avoue that quhilk we knaw; as, God made man without sinne; and in this the supposit precedes the verb c1616 Hume Orthog. 31.
We utter our wil be verbes signifying the form of our wil, or postposing the supposit c1616 Hume Orthog. 31.
We bid our inferioures, and pray our superioures, be postponing the supposit to the verb; As, goe ye and teach al nationes; Here me, my God