Obs. Forms: 4 loseniour (= -jour), -gour, losaniour (= -jour), lozengiour, -eour, 4–5 losengeour, -gere, -ynger(e, 4–6 losanger, (5 -ere, losengeoure, -joure, lousenger, lesingour, Sc. lossingere, 6 -geir, loosenger, losinger), 4–7 losenger. [a. OF. losengeour, -ere, agent-n. f. losenger LOSENGE v.]
1. A false flatterer, a lying rascal, a deceiver.
13[?]. Seuyn Sag. (W.), 674. Thou schalt ben an-honged, thou losenjour.
1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 3504. What sey men of þese loseniours, þat haue here wurdys feyre as flours?
c. 1385. Chaucer, L. G. W., Prol. 328. In youre court is manye a losenger.
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 1923. Laches me þis losengere & ledis me him hedire.
1484. Caxton, Ryall Bk., C iij. But this synne [sc. of boasting] doubleth in them that folowe and flatre these vauntours and losengers.
1508. Dunbar, Tua Mariit Wemen, 258. Gif yov nought list be forleit with losingeris vntrew.
1577–87. Holinshed, Chron., Hist. Scot., 63/1. There to end their liues with shame, as a number of such other loosengers had often doone before them.
1616. Bullokar, Losenger, a flatterer, a Lyar.
¶ 2. Sc. A slaggard. [? Confused with losel.]
1513. Douglas, Æneis, VIII. Prol. 178. Thus lysnit I, as lossingeir, sic lewidnes to luik. Ibid., XII. Prol. 281. I knew it was past four howris of day, And thocht I wald no langar ly in May Les Phebus suld me losanger attaynt.
