Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Subdekin, n. Also: -dekyn(e, -deken, -deiken, -decane, -deacon, -dyaken. [ME and e.m.E. subdekene (Manning), subdecon (Trevisa), subdiacone (1460), subdeacon (1555), OF subdiacne (c1190 in Larousse), eccl. L. subdiaconus.]

1. A cleric of the order next below that of deacon. 1225 Reg. Episc. Morav. 21.
[Testibus … Ada subdecano … Willelmo Wysman 1235 Reg. St. A. 327.]
Ego W subdiaconus subscribo c1420 Wynt. v 2484.
That prest[ys] suld be … ordanyd, gre be gre, Crownebenet fyrst, accolyte neyst, Subdekyn, dekyn, and syne preyst 1456 Hay I 21/15.
Subdyakenis 1506 Edinb. Hammermen 57a.
For ane instrument tane in the rawestre quhen the cheptur grantit to the singin of the mes with dekin & subdekyne a1538 Abell 28b.
It wes nocht lesum to the Latinis to be dekin or preist without wow of continence … Bot subdekenis mycht mare quhill the tyme of Sanct Gregoir 1588 King Cat. 109.
Lat him … be … efter ane acolyt than subdeacon, deacon, and finallie priest 1622-6 Bisset II 366/10.
Subdeacones wes enforsed to forsaik thair wyffes

2. transf. The vestment worn by a subdeacon during celebration of the Eucharist. 1504–5 Treas. Acc. III 77.
Bertane claith to be thre albes to the said cheseb, and to decane and subdecane 1554 Acts & Decr. X 280.
Twa capis of blak velvot orpheoust with clayth of gold with ane chessabill, dakin and subdekin of the samyn 1559 Edinb. B. Rec. III 43.
Ane westiament dekyn and subdekyn of grene dalmes c1559 Innes Rev. XVI 129.
With ane broune worsat stand for the halie dayis preist deiken and subdeiken with thair albis