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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.

Sectary, Sectare, n. Pl. sectaries, sectareis, sectaires. [e.m.E. sectaries pl. (1556), -ories pl. (1590), F. sectaire (1566) in Larousse) a Protestant, med. and e. mod. L. sectarius adherent, partisan (c1250 in Latham), sectary, schismatic (1552 in Latham).] A member of a schismatic or a dissenting sect, a sectarian; esp. applied by Scottish Presbyterians to the Independents and other non-Presbyterian sections of the English Puritans during the Civil War and the Protectorate.sing. 1562-3 Winȝet I 70 marg.
Because nane sectare can ansuer heir without manifest confusioun of his errour 1651–2 Scotland and the Commonwealth 348.
To answer … for affirming that no sectary … is so much to be abhorred as a presbyterian 1660 Dumfries Kirk S. 2 Aug.
That the Lord hath takin power out of the hand of the sectary and laid them peacably asydepl. 1600 Hamilton Facile Tr. 70.
Luther, Caluin, Zuinglius, and sic vthers first aucthews of the vthers new sectes and thair sectaires 1648 Acts VI ii 25/1.
It is desyred be the saidis estates of parliament that the present armie of sectaries vnder the command of Thomas Lord Fairfax of Camrone be disbanded 1648 Acts VI ii 28/2.
The breache of Covenant be the prevalencie of sectaries in England being evident, the parliament resolvis to demand satisfactioune and reparatioune thairof 1648 St. A. Presb. 43.
We acknowledge ther be many … quho, hateing sectaries … are loadened with reproaches and calumnies be malignants 1649 Cullen Kirk S. 19 Aug.
For the interuptione of the Lords work in England & Irland & for the oppression of his people ther be malignants & sectaries 1650 Cramond Ch. Aberdour 21.
The fast appointed by the General Assembly occasioned by the present invasion of this kingdom by sectaries 1650 Ellon Par. 107.
Ane solemn warning agaynst sectaries redd and explained; the people earnestly exhorted to bewarr of and eschewe their poysonable and blasphemous doctrine 1650 Fugitive Poetry II xxiv 5/6.
Ere knaves and sectaries began To work their damnable intent 1650 Nicoll Diary 17.
Sectareis 1650 Nicoll Diary 39.
I thoght guid to remember heir how that the names of Protestant and Papist wer not now in use, nor hes bene thir sindrie yeiris past, bot supprest: and in place thairof rais up the name of Convenanteris, … Sectareis, Royalistes, [etc.] 1651 Acts VI ii 682/2.
The present sad conditione of this kingdome a considderable pairt quhairof is possessed by a pairtie of the rebellious army of sectaries 1651 Murray Kilmacolm 57.
Mr. Thomas Hall, come out of Ireland through the persecution of the sectaries there ?1655 Fugitive Poetry II xxviii 3/64. 1657 Balfour Ann. IV 311.
And that they haue not the least deseinge to follow the foottsteps of the sectarian partie, they may weill say … for in that essay they haue outacted the sectaries 1658 Strathendrick 26.
Ane strong ward against the workeing of William Osburne and other sectaries repairing to these bounds 1664 Alford Rec. 53.
The former acts are renewed, maid against papists, quakers, sectaries, recusants, and dishaunters of ordinances 1681 Colvil Whig's Suppl. (1681) ii 38.
Sectaries