A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1537-1570, 1632-1681
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Simoniac, Symoniak, n. and adj. Also: simoniack, simonaick. [ME symoniak (Ayenbite), symonyak (Lydgate), e.m.E. simoniack (a1548), F. simoniaque (MF symoniaque 1372 in Larousse), eccl. L. simoniac-, f. simonia; Simony n.] a. noun. One who practises simony. b. adj. Pertaining to or involving simony. Also transf. —a. a1538 Abell 77b.
In the senȝe of Florens wes mony bischeppis symoniakis & fornicaturis condampnit 1570 Leslie 42.
Patrick Grahame, Archebischop of St. Androis … wes decernit ane heretique, scismatike, symoniak a1650 Row 50.
The contraveeners to be punished with all severitie and rigour as simonaicks —b. a1633 Hope Major Pract. I 29.
If the … partie presented … [to the living] hes maid any simoniack paction with the patrone —transf. 1681 Colvil Whig's Suppl. (1751) 157.
The next successor of St. Peter Thought he could take a course no fitter Than part the simoniac pelf
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"Simoniac n., adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/simoniac>
