A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1520-1684
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Fensit, Fenced, ppl. a. Also: fensyt, fenceit. [e.m.E. fenced, fensed, ME. fencyd (c 1440).]
1. Of a court or parliament: Formally opened by the formula of fencing. (See Fens v. 1.) 1520 Fife Sheriff Ct. 176.
In that fensyt court to tak newlingis agane the aith of the foresaid Thomas 1557 Criminal Trials I. ii. 397.
Eftir the presenting of the said Jhone Peirsoune in jugement, in ane fensit Court of Justiciarie 1571 Lanark B. Rec. 59.
David Brentoun tuik ane act that Jhon Bannatin … leid him in jugement in ane fensit court 1640 Aberd. B. Rec. III. 212.
The said Issobell is ordanit … to crave the pairtie offendit pardon in a fenceit court 1663 Justiciary Ct. Rec. I. 74.
There is no necessity that these depositions be taken in a fenced court 1684 Lauder Observes 134.
The said Chancelor was admitted, sworne, and receaved, in a fenced Shireff court
2. a. Fortified. b. Armoured, mailed. 1596 Dalr. II. 290/23.
Tha tuk the Castel in gude ordour and weil fensed 1596 Ib. 434/26.
My Lord Graie … lyes with fenced men of weir … in a dorpe named Lestalrig
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"Fensit ppl. adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/fensit>
