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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Claus(e, Claws, n. [ME. claus, clause (a 1225), OF. clause, med. L. clausa.] A clause, sentence, esp. one expressing a stipulation or proviso in a legal document. c 1380 Charter (Reg. H.).
I sall gif hym my chartyre … wyth al clavse & al fredome pertenand to blancheferme 1456 Hay I. 180/35.
Under a claus of generalitee may nocht be na grettare persouns contenyt na the principale maister 1457 Wemyss Chart. 80.
Ilkane of the said partis sal infeft vthir in the landis … with claus of warandise as afferis 1513 Doug. ii. Prol. 7.
Wys men, attendis mony sorofull claws Ib. vi. Prol. 57.
Ȝit Virgil writis mony just claus conding 1542 Reg. Privy S. II. 731/2.
That the said lettre be extendit in the best forme, with extensioun of all clausis neidfull 1550 Reg. Cupar A. II. 93.
That this claus be of effect and strentht as it war put in the body of this present writ 1567 Glasgow Prot. III. 107.
Quhilk reversioune sall contene that claws that … the saidis Robert sall pay [etc.] a1568 Scott xxv. 29.
My hert, be mirry lait and air, This is the fynall end and claus 1609 Bk. Univ. Kirk III. 1072.
Which claws of necessity must be referred