Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Fechtar, Fechter, n. Also: feychtar, feghter, feighter. [ME. feghter (a 1400). Cf. Fichter.] One who fights (in battle or in brawls).(a) 1375 Barb. xi. 102.
He had of fechtaris with hym thar Ane hundreth thousand men and ma c1420 Wynt. ii. 1062.
Bayth ware sene Fechtaris and manslaaris kene 1456 Hay I. 50/34.
Thare was left in the felde ma na xxv thowsand fechtaris 1470 Prestwick B. Rec. 16.
That man or wemane … that is fundin thrise … a fechtar or a disobear 1500 Dunferm. B. Rec. 114.
Willyam Cristisone allegit … that Thomas Scharp wes maid ane common fechtar and strublar 1533 Boece iii. xvii. 116.
Quhen the vantgarde and vtheris fechtaris in forefront war ourethrawin 1560 Bk. Disc. 192.
Gif he war … a feychtar, brawlar, or contentious persone a1578 Pitsc. I. 243/23.
The lord Gray [was judged] the best fechtar with the battellaix 1603 Dundonald Par. Rec. 29.
Warnit, dissobeyit: the Hobkinis and Fultounes, fechtaris on the Saboth(b) c1420 Wynt. ix. 689.
He feld twa stowt fechteris [: feris] 1604 Dundonald Par. Rec. 64.
Annabill Rodman … fechter vith Sibbie Forgie … on the Saboth 1611 Fife Synod 21.
That ilk feighter … [on] the Sabbaoth day sall pay … xxs. 1653 Lamont Diary 60.
He was no good feghter