A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1601-1684
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Spinster, Spynster, n. [ME and e.m.E. spinster (1362), spynnestere (1380), spynster (1543), MDu. spinster. Cf. Spinnar n.] A person, chiefly a woman, who spins yarn, etc. — 1601 Edinb. B. Rec. V 290.
For sending hither Abigael, the Fleming spynster for using her craft within this burgh for fordering of the wark of the making of clayth 1636 Rec. Old Aberd. I 351.
William Willox, spinster, in Williame Nicoll's land 1636 Rec. Old Aberd. I 352, etc.
Janet Blake and Margret Settoun, spinsteris and sewsteris in on hous 1684 New Mills Manuf. 70.
To cause the spinsters twist the yearne for the stocken weavers
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"Spinster n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/spinster>
