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

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

Surenes, Suirness, -nese, n. Also: suernes, seuirnes, sournes. [Late ME and e.m.E. suernes(se (Hoccleve), surnes (Lydgate), surenes(se (c1430); Sur(e adj. Cf. Sikernes n. and Soverance n.]

1. Safety; freedom from danger or harm. 1528 Douglas Corr. 132 fn.
Ȝour grace [sc. Cardinal Wolsey] quhilkis has done mare and bestowit greiter expensis and labouris for his [sc. King James V's] suernes and prosperite thane all the warld has done 1559–60 Soc. Ant. XI 524 (see Sur(e adj. 1 (3)). 1569 Bk. Old Edinb. C. XV 63.
Quhilk hous … aught justlie to have been girthe and place of surenes 1573 Davidson in Sat. P. xl 30.
Quhat surenes fand the Bischopis halynes Into Dumbartane? 1573 Davidson in Sat. P. xl 53.
Thay … on thair feit will ay licht quhen thay list Thinking all surenes thairin to consist

2. Assurance or confirmation that the terms of a contract, treaty or the like will be honoured. 1419 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 299.
The quhilk forsaidis wedsettingis in al pointis articlis and condicons befor writin in al sournes and effecte I apprife [etc.] 1419 Hay Geneal. Sainteclaires 61.
And for the mair seuirnes all thir conditiones [blank in MS] and trewly to be kepyt in maner and forme befor saide 1545 St. P. Henry VIII V 501.
Of the quhilk ȝeirlie pensioun the said Erll of Rose desyris sich suirnese of His Hienes as salbe requirit rasonable be ws his commissionaris

3. An instance of certainty, assurance or confirmation. 1558-66 Knox I 26.
Faith is a suirnes