Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1828-1897, 1960
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‡MISSIONAR, n. Also missioner. An itinerant, gen. non-Presbyterian or dissenting, preacher of an evangelical cast; a member of an Independent church (ne.Sc., Ags., Uls. 1963; Fif. 1816 A. Mercer Craw-court 13; m.Lth. 1882 J. Strathesk Bits from Blinkbonny 173; Kcb. 1893 Crockett Stickit Minister 24)). Comb. missionar-kirk. [′mɪʃənər]Mry. 1828 J. Ruddiman Tales 273:
The Missionars were sae rife in this parish, and the eggs so scarce, for every wife was hauling them to these preachers.Abd. 1865 G. Macdonald Alec Forbes xxv.:
These Independents went commonly by the name of Missionars in all that district; a name arising apparently from the fact that they were the first in the neighbourhood to advocate the sending of missionaries to the heathen. The epithet was, however, always used with a considerable admixture of contempt. . . . "Wha's preachin' at the missionar-kirk the morn?"Lnk. 1897 J. Wright Scenes Sc. Life 38:
The services held in the village, which were conducted by Mr Allan, the "missioner."Abd. 1960 Stat. Acc.3 589:
The Congregational Church, widely known as the Missionar Kirk of Huntly, was built about 1852. It was at first an Anti-burgher Church, but later when its founder Cowie had been cast out by Anti-burghers, it became the Congregational Church, the name "Missionar" being given to it in derision of its strenuous efforts in the cause of foreign missions.
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"Missionar n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/missionar>
