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

Precisian, -sisian, -seisiane, Praecisian, n. (adj.) [e.m.E. precisian (1571), -sician (1583), f. Precis(e adj.] One who is rigidly precise or punctilious in religious observance, a puritan. Also as adj., puritanical. — c1610 Jok Uplandis Newis 2 a.
Thes the[y] call puritance and presisianes Ib. 3 a.
Odious to the comon people & puritaine brethrene sighing sisteris and preseisiane simple willfullistes 1622 Scot Course of Conformity 116.
The squarest conformitant shall either proue a praecisian heere in standing upon circumstances or else quit the conformity with the law of God 1635 Dickson Wr. 187. 1638 Henderson Serm. 434.
Those who are called puritans, who will be precise, and would be religious beyond their neighbours … These are not puritans and precisians who are still labouring to be more and more holy