Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Onwait(t)er, -wayter, -vaitter, -wat(t)er, n. a. One who waits or is made to wait long or expectantly. b. One who gives attendance or care to another person or to a charge. c. A person's attendant, assistant or servant. 1601 Coll. Rebus Alban. 202.
The said Lachlane sall await and depend upone the said noble lord and serve him … but dissimulatioune as becummis ane onwaitter and dependar 1605 Mylne Master Masons 90.
James Adamesone [etc.] … to be principall masteris of wark to the Brig of Tay, … Patrik Fleming [etc.] … to be onwatters vnder thame c1610 Melville Mem. 205.
Sir Robert Meluill, ane onwaiter to do the gud he culd Ib. 263.
Wha incressing in yeares and knawlege, sindre gentilmen began to sut seruice and wer onwaters 1612 Dunferm. B. Rec. II. 95.
Vagabunds … and … ane onwaitter on thamec1600-1633 Johnston MS Hist. in Crim. Trials II. 294.
Causit him [the King] ryd derectlie to Pearth with him befoir his onwaitteris … had cum till him 1627 Fam. Rose 316.
He is ane diligent onwaitter on wretteris 1627 Laing MSS. I. 178.
It salbe my lott … to attend the commissioun. … During quhilk tyme I am … putt to ane bak rowme to be ane idill onwaiter 1632 Acts V. 243/1.
They … and thair fishers onwaiters and servants attending the fishing bussines [etc.] 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 532.
Will the Lord disappoint an hungry on-waiter? 1645 S. Leith Rec. 59/2.
David Stoup constant on-waiter upo[n] the foul cleansers 1649 Edinb. B. Rec. VIII. 207.
Johne Broun present attendar and onwaitter upoun the merchand magazen hows within this brugh 1657 Johnston Diary III. 70.
Maiking his addresse by an onwayter and forced to gae his waye, which was a strainge chaynge 1677 Forbes Baron Ct. 310.
The greives and onvaitters of my lordis servic 1679 J. Somerville Mem. II. 113.
Being also his constant attender, an onwaiter in all the journeys he made to the court