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

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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Saboth-day, Sabboth(e)-day, Sab(b)aoth(e)-day, Sab(b)ot-day, n. Also: sabboith(e)-, -ath-, sabbat-, sabet-. [ME and e.m.E. sabot-day (Cursor M.), sabaat day (Wyclif), saboth day (c1440), sabbatte day (a1450), sabbath day (1605).]

1. = Saboth n. 1. c1520-c1535 Nisbet Matth. xii 1.
In the saboth day [P. the sabot day] 1551 Hamilton Cat. 66.
Remember that thow hallow the sabboth day Ib. 8.
We are nocht oblissit to keip the sabboth day apon the Satterday … Bot as concerning the moralite of the sabboth day we suld keip it on the Sundayis and uthir halie dayis 1622-6 Bisset II 349/12.
The heresies of Pelagius … that wald nocht acknawelege the altering … of the Jowes sabbat day or Setterday to oure Sonday

2. = Saboth n. 2.a. (1) 1560 Edinb. B. Rec. III 85.
That in all tyme cuming the halie day callit the sabbaothe day or day of rest commonlie callit be Sounday be … kepit commonly 1560 Peebles B. Rec. I 269.
That na man nor woman wirk … on the sabaoth day 1562-3 Winȝet I 116/18.
Gif ȝe admit na traditioun vnwrittin, quhy ar ȝe sa bauld … to celebrat ȝour sabbaoth [MS sabbot] day with ws Catholikis on the Sounday and nocht with the Jowis on the Saterday? 1611 Fife Synod 29.
That na boattis cors the ferrie on the sabbaoth day … till [etc.] 1658 Rothesay Par. Rec. 5.
Sabaoth day(b) 1562 Aberd. Eccl. Rec. 6.
The sevint day quhilk is Sonday our sabboth day 1567 Acts III 38/1.
For keping of the saboth day 1567 G. Ball. 2. 1574 Bk. Univ. Kirk I 323.
That no clerk playes … be made of the canonicall scripture … neither on the sabboth day nor worke day 1590 St. A. Kirk S. 665.
The sabboith day 1592 Edinb. B. Rec. V 63.
Seing the sabboth day being the Lords day [etc.] 1593 Haddington Presb. 5 Sept. in Carter Sunday Observ. 209.
For the breaking of the saboth day 1596 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. I 334.
Sabbothe day 1597 (c1650) Dundee B. Laws 48. 1603 Aberd. Eccl. Rec. 28.
On the saboth day 1623 Fraserburgh Kirk S. 23 July.
Being accusit for brak of sabboithe in taking of sandellis on the sabboithe day 1630 Aberd. Council Lett. I 335.
On the sabboth day alsweill as ony uther weik day or tyd 1659 Brechin Test. VI 179b.
Cleathes … both for the weike day and sabboth day 1681 Stair Inst. iii i § 37.
That the arrestment is null, as being executed upon the sabbath day 1693 Banff Ann. II 63.(c) 1567 St. A. Kirk S. 294.
To abstein … fra going to merkattis and makking of merchandice on the sabbat day 1573 Inverness Rec. I 232.
On the sabot day 1573–4 Aberd. Eccl. Rec. 16.
The sabet day(2) 1618 Stirling Merch. Guild 38.
To convene … wpon sabbot dayb. 1590 Edinb. B. Rec. V 25.
In consideratioun that the Thursday nixt is appoyntet … to be ane day of … fasting … proclamatioun to be maid … that no aill tavernis [etc.] … be oppynet [etc.] … bot that the samyn be haldin as ane sabboth day 1610 S. Leith Rec. 8/2.
Thair sall be na public playing suffred on the sabbath dayes 1616 Ib. 15/2.
Euerie sabot day … thair sall be tuo bairnies … that sall repeit Mr. James Nicholson catechys openlie in the kirk 1619 Perth Kirk S. MS 25 Jan.
Accuseit for selling aill … the haill sabboth day on Sonday wes xx dayis 1623 Fife Synod 98.
The last saboth day of Junie 1626 Justiciary Cases I 50.
Convenit … upone ane sabboth day a1633 Hope Major Pract. I 220.
Requisition upon two sabboth dayes shal be sufficient 1648 Moray Synod 91.
The publict worshipe is greatlie prejudged be sabbath dayes burialles 1671 Salmon Borrowstounness 98.
Upon the saboth day last