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 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Precedent, Precident, President, n. [e.m.E. and late ME precedent (1433), precydent (a 1427), president (c 1460), etc.] a. An instance just or already mentioned (of something or in support of a point of view); pl. b. A precedent. c. A worthy example, a person whose conduct in some matter has been exemplary. d. One who surpasses or excels others of his kind, a paragon. —a. 1550 Knox III 42.
Of the whilk presidentis I think it is plane that all whilk is addit to the religioun of God, without his awn express word, is idolatrie 1554 Ib. 98.
Above all precidentis … is to be observit [etc.] 1644 Crim. Trials III 194.
Not onlie through and by the foirsaid precedentis of your maliceb. 1609 Crim. Trials II 594.
Yett manie offences of greater importance and more perrellous presidents were smothered up 1646 Glasgow B. Rec. II 105.
That it [the practice] be not a president to inbalme vtheris to hazard upon suche dangerous … attemptis [etc.]c. 1621 Aberd. Council Lett. I 193.
Doctor Forbes hes bein a notable precedent in the restauratioun of that colleged. 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 163.
Among the pieres he was patron and patern and … precedent of all his fellowes