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: 1490-1581
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Sensual(l, adj. Also: sensuale, sencewall, sinsuall. [Late ME and e.m.E. sensuel, sensual (c1450), sensuall (1477), F. sensuel (1370 in Larousse), late L. sensuāl- ‘endowed with feeling or sensation, sensitive, sensual’.]
1. Of or pertaining to the senses; physical, bodily. a1499 Contemplacioun of Synnaris 427 (Asl.).
Grant me Thi grace for mast sure suffisance To set on syde all synnis sensuale 1549 Complaynte of Scotland 35/7.
As this miserabil sensual lyif var perpetual c1550-60 Arundel MS 243/159.
Sen Thou hes tholit for me all manlie passioun … and … hes inwart exceidit all sensuall dollour and corporall sorow
b. Material, unspiritual. 1581 Hamilton Cath. Tr. 45.
The sensuall and naturall man, indurit be incredulitie
2. Of appetites, desires, etc.: Directed towards sensual gratification.Usually in a pejorative sense. a1499 Contemplacioun of Synnaris 1301 (Harl.).
Ane thousand ȝere of ioy cotidiane … Full of delyte and lustis sensuall 1490 Irland Mir. I 85/23.
The rebellioune of the sensuale appetit agane ressoune, and of that hou we are inclinit to fleschly plesaunce and lust 1490 Irland Mir. III 121/37. 1513 Doug. xi Prol. 82. 1528 Lynd. Dreme 251.
Sum catyue kyngis … leit thare peple neuer leif in rest, Delyting so in plesour sensuall a1568 Bell. Bannatyne MS 7b/259.
At Capua be pleseir sensuall This duck wes maid so soft & dilligait That [etc.] 1531 Bell. Boece I 191.
That he micht draw thaim fra corrupit and sensuall plesouris to merciall werkis 1549 Complaynte of Scotland 34/16. c1552 Lynd. Mon. 124.
Houngrye couatyce, Uaine glore, dissait, and vthir sensuall vyce c1552 Lynd. Mon. 9, etc. a1568 Scott xxxiv 17.
Quhair sensuall lust proceidis All honest lufe is pynd a1578 Pitsc. I 383/7.
Sencewall a1578 Pitsc. II 87/7.
Sinsuall
3. Of persons, their behaviour, etc.: Devoted to sensuality; preoccupied with the need for sensual gratification. 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 858.
Thay grew so subiect to Dame Sensuall And thocht bot paine pure pepyll for to teche c1552 Lynd. Mon. 3394.
Off Sodome, Gomore, and thare regione … Quhose peple wer so sensuall In fylthie synnis vnnaturall c1552 Lynd. Mon. 4873.
Inuentit bot be sensuall mennis ingyne, As that law quhilk forbiddis mariage, Causyng ȝoung clerkis byrne in lustis rage 1581 Hamilton Cath. Tr. in Cath. Tr. (STS) 77/37.
Fals applications of the scripture, quhilk thaj thrau efter thair sensuall iugement lyk a neis of valx
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"Sensual adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/sensuall>
