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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.

Subscrivar, -er, Subscriber, n. Also: subscryvar(e, -er, -our, subcrywer. [Subscrive v.] One who signs his name to a letter, document, etc.; esp., a signatory of a band, Covenant, or the like.See also Non-subscriver n.(1) 1561–2 St. A. Kirk S. 137.
Bye the quhilk testimoniall the said Mr. Thomas allegis hym injurit be the subscrivaris tharof 1578 Misc. Abbotsf. C. 46.
Subscriueris of this band … salhaue full powar and auctoritie to juge [etc.] 1580 Facs. Nat. MSS III lxx.
With all the subcryweris [sic] and approweris of that cruell and bloodie band 1587 Reg. Privy C. IV 158.
Capitane James Stewart principal accusar, delatare, and subscryvare of the said letter 1589 Exch. R. XXII 42 n.
That this infeftment be producit afoir the subscryvour of this compt 1600 Edinb. Masons 5b.
Followis the subscriuaris and markaris of this foirsaid admissioun 1638 Baillie I 69.
Trusting that when the subscryvers of this Covenant are made away … that ye … shall begin where we have left 1638 Baillie I 135.
We fand him thereafter a subscryver of the bishops' declinator(b) 1683 Decis. Lords F. 47.
The charger offered to condescend upon the inserter, who was one of the co-nottars subscribers of the bond(2) 1587 Aberd. Council Lett. I 15.
Be the iust heretabill possessors of the said fishing subscrivars underwrettin, for us and the remanent our colligis 1594 Warrender P. (SHS) II 250.
The having of this contract … is the onlie caus and awband quhilk movit … the subscryvaris to stand his guid freindis 1605 Melvill 609.
Dar any of the sweireris and subscryveris cum in the contrair thairoff 1638 Baillie I 82.
Forbeses, Frasers, [etc.] let be all the Campbells to a man, are zealous subscryvers 1643 Baillie II 64.
He brought the subscryvers [sc. of a petition to the king] in the Councill weell near to a censure c1650 Spalding I 253.
The Erll … rave and distroyit the samen that it sould never be kend what covenanteris war the subscriveris c1650 Spalding I 338.
[He] presentit the subscrivit rollis of the tenthis givin wp be the oath of ilk subscriver(b) 1700 Laing MSS II 1.
I am desird by these honorable subscribers to tell you I shud be glad of your company here

b. One who, by signing a compact with others, subscribes to (in) a certain course of action. 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 128.
Being as is notourlie kend the principall … subscryvaris in this act vnlesum and abhominable

c. Nocht-subscryver, = Non-subscriver n. 1588 Edinb. Presb. 8 Oct.
In cais he vas nocht resoluit & vald nocht subscrywe all the articles etc. the presbitre suld proceid againes him as ane papist & nocht subscryver