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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.

Sensur(e, Sensour(e, n. Also: sensuir, -or, -er, senseur, sencur. [Late ME sensour (c1470); var. of Censure n.²]

1. An ecclesiastical punishment or reprimand. b. A punishment or reprimand imposed by another authority. 1460 Aberd. B. Rec. MS V i p. 410 (18 Nov.).
The caus forsaid … [can] nocht be constreeȝet or compellit nother be kyngis lettres nor sensour of hali kirk 1611 Monimail Reg. Ct. 25 Oct.
The contraveinar sall pay toties quoties ane vnlawe of xx s. and that by and attour the sensuris of the kirk 1615 Fraserburgh Kirk S. 44b (10 Jan.).
Incaice he haid any just complaint the sensur sould go forward pari passu aganis bath him & hir 1622-6 Bisset I 96/3.
To be denuncit as rebellis by the sensuris and punischement ecclesiesticall 1622-6 Bisset II 319/19.
Sensoure 1629 S. Leith Rec. 18/1.
The said Mr. Barnard … being dischargit be the sessioune sall not attempte to appeall frome ther senser to any judge civill or eccleseastikeb. 1653 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. III 53.
[John Dunbar, … under] hiest pain and sencur [to repair to his own country] 1672 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS 30 March.
The magistratts and councell for the present sensure ordaines the said Johne Gordoune to remaine in the irones at the croce 1681 Edinb. B. Rec. XI 18.
They shall incurr the councells severe senseur and displeasur

2. Judgment, criticism, opinion. 1600 Aberd. Council Lett. I 92.
Submissing this … to ȝour … indeferent iudgmentis and conforme sensors I tak heir … my leif 1615 Denmylne MSS in Highland P. III 224.
Give … my braiking ward for the saifté of my lyfe be thocht be the sensuir of my onfrendis such ane offence as will not be pardonid [etc.] 1629 Bk. Carlaverock II 113.
To have putt such a commentar upon what was in hand as haith maid mee wnder the sencur of follie or wnhonestie, was a bad recompance for my goodwill 1631 Annandale Corr. 284.
What thois that ar so possessid with the first oppeneowne would mak of this otheir I leif the sensour may be mad of it to your approweid iugisment

3. A judge or assessor (of something). a1578 Pitsc. II 60/7.
As the goldsmyth knaweth the fyne gold frome the wnprofettable by the tuiche stone, so lykwyse may we knaw herasie by the wndoutit tuiche stone that is the trew sensour and wndefyllit word of God