A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1375-1420, 1492-1600
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Nigramansour, Nigro-, Nicromancer, n. Also: nygra-, niygra-, nygro-, nigre-, nycro- and -mancear, -manser, -mantier, -menser, -messour, -missure. [ME. (Cursor M.) and e.m.E. nigromancer, -mancier, nygramancer (Caxton), e.m.E. also nicro-, OF. nigromansere: cf. also Necromancer and Igramanciar.] One who practises necromancy; a necromancer, sorcerer, enchanter.(a) 1375 Barb. iv. 242 (E).
The Erle Ferandis modyr was Nygramansour, and Sathanas Scho rasyt and him askyt [etc.] a1500 Tale of the Colkelbie Sow i. 79.
A faynit nigramansour 1551 Hamilton Catechism 50.
All wytches, nigromanceris and siclike, workis be operatioun of the devil 1591 Criminal Trials I. ii. 244.
Nigromancear 1591 Reg. Privy C. IV. 644.
Nygromanceris 1600 Criminal Trials II. 219.
That he was a nigromancer … and a deep theologue(b) c1420 Wynt. iv. 365.
For scho oysid for till telle Thyngis sere before thai felle, As wychys dois or nycromancerys [C. nygramenseris, W. nygramanceris] 1563 Cal. Sc. P. II. 14.
Nycromantiers 1591 Criminal Trials I. ii. 243.
For consulting with Rychie Grahame, ane nicromanser 1591 Ib.
Nicromancear(c) 1492 Myll Spectakle of Luf 279/1.
Vyrgill, the gret poyet & nygramessour a1538 Abell 6 a.
Fayr Medea Jasonis wife … was a niygramissure
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"Nigramansour n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/nigramansour>
