bursar
(ˈbɜːsə(r))
Forms: 6 bursor, 6–8 burser, 8 bourser, boursar, 7– bursar.
[ad. med.L. bursārius, f. bursa; cf. F. boursier used in senses 1 and 2.]
1. A treasurer, esp. of a college.
| 1587 Harrison England ii. iii. 82 In ech of these [colleges]..they haue one or moe thresurers whom they call Bursarios or bursers. 1587 Fleming Contn. Holinshed III. 1361/2 A bursor or paiemaster for those wars. 1695 Kennett Par. Antiq. Gloss. s.v. Bursaria, The conventual bursar was to deliver up his accounts yearly on the day after Michael⁓mas. 1706 Hearne Collect. (1885) I. 198 He..continu'd Bourser of y⊇ College several years together. 1868 M. Pattison Academ. Org. iv. 109 Each college has one or more bursars who administer the finances. |
2. In Scotch universities and schools: A student or scholar who holds a bursary, an exhibitioner.
| 1567 Sc. Acts Jas. VI (1597) §12 Al Patronis hauand Provestries, or Prebendaries of Colleges, Alterages or Chaplaneries, at their giftis and dispositioun, may..present the samin to Bursaris, quhom they pleise to name, to studie vertew & letteris, within ane College of ony of the Vniuersiteis of this Realme. 1634–46 Row Hist. Kirk (1842) Introd. 20 Quhairby a burser might be intertened at the New Colledge of Santandrous. 1787 Beattie Scotticisms 16. 1856 J. Grant Black Drag. xxxii, A bursar fresh from Glasgow College. 1876 Grant Burgh Sch. Scotl. ii. 497 Three bursaries..at the grammar School of Banff, each bursar receiving free education and {pstlg}2 10 0 yearly for maintenance. |
3. A student in a ‘bursa’ (see bursa 2).
| 1852 Sir W. Hamilton Discuss. 408 The rector..repeated with his bursars their public lessons. |