Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Decrete, Decreit, v. Also: decret, decreet. [e.m.E. decrete (Caxton only), OF. decreter, L. dēcrēt- p.p. stem of dēcernere Decern v.]

1. tr. To decree, ordain, order.Construed with objective clause (usually with that), accus. and infin., or simple object. The p.t. and p.p. occas. decreit.(1) 1385 3rd Rep. Hist. MSS. 410/2.
The Curt fullely awisit decretyt that the lande [etc.] 1402 Dundee Chart. No. 22.
We pronunce, determyns & decretis that [etc.] 1424 Acts II. 7/1.
It is decretyt … & forbodyn … that ony ligis or bandis be maid 1441 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 6.
It was decretit and ordainit be the comeoune counsaile … that [etc.] 1471 Acta Audit. 12/1.
The lordis auditouris decretis & deliuers that Hew, lord Fraser, sall [etc.] a1500 Bk. Chess 525.
Euery man decretit … No child suld cum in counsall hous of Rome 1510 Misc. Spald. C. V. 395.
I, the said lawman … gewis for dwym, and decreets that the said Jhone [etc.] 1538 St. A. Baxter Bks. 53.
The saidis dakin and haill counsall … decernit and decretit that [etc.] 1562-3 Winȝet II. 25/25.
Breuelie … he decretit in thir wordis, that na thing suld be alterit(2) c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 1329.
Thai … decretyt the lordschepe Of it to Vlixes to kepe c1420 Wynt. vi. 358.
Than he Decretyd hym thar kyng to be 1526 Reg. Privy S. I. 543/1.
Throw wilfull errour decernit and decreit of the lordis of consall to be committit be the said James 1556 Liber Coll. Glasg. 227.
The saidis lordis … decreit, decernit, and ordanit the saidis tennentis to ansuer … befor the saidis lordis 1562-3 Winȝet II. 52/20.
That thing onlie decretis he to be haldin(3) 1402 Dundee Chart. No. 22.
Til haue ferme & stable … qwhat we & oure said consaillie determynt, dempt, & decretit tharapon 1456 Hay I. 220/2.
For were generale may na man decrete … , bot he be soverane lord of that realme that were decretis 1474 Acta Aud. 32/1.
Like as was decretit and adiugit be the mast part of the arbituris a1500 Henr. Fab. 1451.
Deith, sic as to tressoun is decreit 1513 Doug. vii. x. 39.
To proclame weir and decrete the mellé 1535 Stewart 39798.
Sen gratius God decreittit hes sic thing 1562-3 Winȝet II. 30/24.
The wtheris [precepts], quhilkis ar decretit of fayth 1570 Sat. P. xxi. 46.
Gods vengeance is decreittit For giltles blude 1633 Acts V. 42.
Quhat they sall decreit and determine … the same sall haue the force … of ane act of parliament

2. intr. To decide, determine to do something. 1472 Peebles B. Rec. 168.
The nychburis … decretyt to kep Kadmowr to kow and kapyll c1515 Asl. MS. I. 299/13.
His godhed decretit to labour vj dayis allanerly Ib. 301/28.
God decretit to drovn the erd 1513 Doug. ii. x. 177.
Gyf thou hest in mynd decretit … to be schent 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 51.
[Being] aduertissit that the Hamiltonis had decretit to murthour him a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI. 120.
He decreittit na langar to remaine in Edinburgh Ib. 138.
He decrettit to pas hame

3. To make or pronounce a decree. 1562-3 Winȝet II. 29/16. Ib. 30/2.
The auctoritie of the apostolik pouer put out the heid sua, that with maist hie seueritie it decretit a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 1324.
Since ȝe ȝoursells submit To do as I decreit a1605 Ib. Son xliii 6.
Remove vho may, if destinies decreit 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 21.
Be consent of the parties, the arbiters may decrite [sic] as they please Ib. ii. 65.
Arbiters … may not decreit vpon ane halie day