Sc. Also 5 sornour, 6 (9) sornar, 7 soroner. [f. SORN v.] One who sorns; one who quarters himself upon others; a sponger.
1449. Sc. Acts, Jas. II. (1814), II. 36/1. The away putting of sorneris, ourlyaris, & masterful beggaris. Ibid. (1455), 43/1. Item quhar euer sornoures be ourtane in tyme to cum, þat þai be deliueryt to þe kingis schereffis.
1506. Exch. Rolls Scotl., XII. 704. The names of all thevis, pikaris, and sornars that oppress the cuntre.
1575. Reg. Privy Council Scot., II. 450. Certane sornaris, vagaboundis and utheris oppressouris of the cuntre.
1609. in Burt, Lett. N. Scotl. (1818), II. 243. Eating up by sorners (sturdy beggers) and idle bellies.
1699. Records of Elgin (1903), I. 361. The counsell ordains notorious soroners, wagabonds and strangers to be instantly banished the burgh.
1797. [see SORNEE].
1821. Scott, Pirate, v. This is the house of his Lordship’s factor, and no place of reset for thiggers or sorners.
1881. Masson, De Quincey, ix. 104. The prince of almoners for sorners and beggars.
