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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.

Predecesso(u)r, Predicesso(u)r, n. Also: predecesso(u)re, prædecesso(u)r, predessess(o)ur, -descessour; predicessur, predissessur(e, predisesor, predicissor, pridicessour; predacessowre. [ME and e.m.E. predecessour (c 1400), predecessor(e (1432–50), predicessour (a 1400–50), AF predecessour (1292), F. prédécesseur (13th c. in Hatz.-Darm.), late L. prædēcessor. Cf. also Predecessare,n.] A predecessor.

1. One who has held an office, position, lands, etc., before the incumbent referred to or implied by the context.Freq. one who is also an ancestor of the subsequent incumbent.(a) a1400 Leg. S. xxxi 416.
Oto … wes predecessoure Of the gud emperoure Henry 1408 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 70.
And with sic seruice as the saide Sire Gilbert and his predecessours held thaim 1417 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I 215. c 1417 Earl of March in Coldingham Priory 89.
Quhen the Kyng of Scotland wald let thaym joyse no land at thay had in Scotland, safe that at thay had of my predecessours & me c1420 Wynt. v 4767.
This pape … Wes archedene till Sylveryus, Hys predecessore immedyate Ib. 2582.
Predecessor 1456–70 Acts XII 27/1. 1465–6 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 391.
Ane letter of assidation … be oure predecessoure off gude mynde Lorde Bischop Thomas 1493–4 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I 334.
For … the Erle of Mar that last discessit ande for his predecessouris ande his successouris 1495 Reg. Paisley 404.
Be the saidis baillies and comunite and thar predecessoris 1513 (c 1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 145. 1517 11th Rep. Hist. MSS. App. vi 32.
[The] auld band of kyndnes … maid betuix ther predicessouris 1533 Bell. Livy I 268/33.
For it was native to him [sc. Valerius, consul] as to his predecessouris, to persew the pepill with all humanite … he mycht c1530-40 Stewart Bann. MS. 96 a/7.
And mark in thy memoriall Thy predecessouris parentall 1549 Compl. 91/33. 1553 Lanark B. Rec. 25.
Predessessuris Ib.
Predescessouris Ib. 26.
Predessessouris 1556 Lauder Off. Kings 313.
Peter … thare predecessour 1560 Cal. Sc. P. I 531.
Or ony utheris thair predecessoris or successoris last lauchtfull possessoris thairof, immediat tenentis to our soveranis predecessoris 1562-3 Winȝet I 95/4.
Hir maiesties prædecessouris 1642 Melville Chart. 172.
Ether of the tuo Lords Melville, my praedecessors(b) 1393–4 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 70.
As I ore ony of my predissessvris held 1449 Reg. Episc. Glasg. II 370.
Lettres of our predicessouris 1456 Hay I 276/26. 1498 Acta Conc. II 220. 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 773.
Off ȝour [ecclesiastics'] peirles, prudent predicessouris The beginnyng, I grant, wes verray gude a1538 Abell 39 a.
The iniuris done be King Heirgust & thare [the Picts'] predicessuris to thame [the Scots] 1553–4 Edinb. B. Rec. II 189. 1586 Reg. Cupar A. II 294.
Quhairintill the said Robert [sc. Portar] and his predicessouris of thar surname portaris of the said vtir ȝet, hes bene in continuall possessioun 1587 Acts III 439/1. 1637 Kirkcaldy Presb. 118.
Depursit be the said Mr. Frederik to Mr. James Symeson, his praedecess[o]r at the said kirk 1641 Peebles Chart. 102.
In swa far as perteinit to … King James the fourt and his predicessores 1656 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. III 79.
With the said freedome … as the said Arthor Forbes or his predicissors did … in any tyme past 1658 Rothesay Par. Rec. 7. 1681 Hunter Fam. P. (S.R.S.) 66.
Cleir evidences … of the said marches as they had sein them … condeshendit upon be our predisesors

2. Passing into: An ancestor or forefather.(a) 1539 Prot. Bk. Hew Rig 31 a.
Gif he and his predecessoris hes bene in possessioun of this halfe rude of land … in all tymis by past, past memor of man 1543 Inverness Sheriff Ct. 15.
His father, mother, guid schyir [etc.] … or … utheris his predecessouris c1552 Lynd. Mon. 6213.
Thare tender freindis, thare father & thare mother, Thare predecessouris, quhilkis thay neuer saw a1578 Pitsc. I 108/14.
My forbearis predecessouris 1597 Stirling Merch. Guild 11.
The entrie of airis to thair predecessoris fredom 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. xix. 1669 Rothesay B. Rec. 174. 1677 Inverness Presb. 76.
And one part of the said dask … beeing sett upon an buriall stone belonging … to there praedecessors(b) 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 315.
Predicessouris 1588 Douglas Corr. 239.
Lyik as my predicessouris hes beine hamlie with ȝour predicessouris 1589 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III 188. 16.. Hist. Kennedy 32.
Pridicessouris 1638 Blairs P. 120.
Predicessours 1658 Rothesay Par. Rec. 2.(c) 1561 Stirling's of Keir 416.
The said James Kincaidis forbeares and predacessowres hes beyn … fre wassellis … for the tym