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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.

Swan, n. Also: suan, swanne. [ME and e.m.E. suan (Cursor M.), swan (c1340), OE swan.] A swan, also a representation of a swan, and in allusive use. Also attrib. and possess. c1450-2 Howlat 171 (A).
Swannis suowchand full swyth, swetest of sware 1488 Treas. Acc. I 85.
A cassit collere of gold made like suannis set in gold with xvj rubeis and diamantis and viij quhite suannis and set with double perle 1488 Treas. Acc. I 96.
To Lynton that brocht a swan to the king 1503 Treas. Acc. II 394.
For xj½ bollis of bere to the swannis in Strivelin c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 74/51.
Ȝe may in hevin heir with us dwell To eit swan, cran, pertrik and plever c1500-c1512 Dunb. (STS) lxxxviii 20.
Swanne a1570-86 Kennedy in Maitl. F. 365/21.
Rycht as the swan for sorrow singis Befoir hir deid a litill space 1513 Doug. xi ix 29 (Sm.).
The rawk vocit swannis in a rabyll, Sondand and swouchand with noys lamentabyll 1549 Compl. 39/13.
The huddit crauis cryit varrok varrok, quhen the suannis murnit 1551 Acts II 484/1. 1589 Edinb. B. Rec. V 10.
For schoting … ane of the swannis in the North loch a1605 Montg. Sonn. xii 7.
Can quhytest suanis more quhyter mak the snau? 1612 Reg. Privy C. IX 449.
Swanneis 1681 Stair Inst. ii iii § 60.
Swans are particularly reserved to the king; and therfore, the privilege to kill swans is not carried under the name of barony, unless they were particularly expressedattrib. 1580 Reg. Privy S. VII 410/2.
The Reid Bog Medow, Swan Dam Medowpossess. a1500 Henr. Fab. 1357.
Ane roll of paper in his hand he bair, Ane swannis pen stikand vnder his eir

b. With reference to the chivalric practice of making vows to a swan, as a bird of heraldic significance, to carry out a great deed. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (STS) lxii 19.
I wald gif all that ever I haue To that conditioun sa God me saif That ȝe had vowit to the swan Ane ȝeir to be Johne Thomsounis man