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.
Quotation dates: 1420, 1492, 1567-1568
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Semelynes, Seymlynes, n. Also: seymlines. [ME and e.m.E. semelynesse (Chaucer), semlynes (c1460), seemelynes (c1550); Semely adj.] Pleasing appearance, handsomeness. — c1420 Ratis Raving 1724.
This eild is wnfaire of fassoun And failȝeis of perfectioun, Off seymlynes of hyd & hair 1492 Myll Spectakle of Luf 273/4.
Quhen I behald … thi gret bewte and strenth semelynes of persone [etc.] 1492 Myll Spectakle of Luf 282/20.
This ȝung maid … saw the gret vassalege & semelynes of this King Mynos a1568 Bannatyne MS 220b/2.
Hir schap, hir forme and eik hir seymlines
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"Semelynes n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 3 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/semelynes>
