Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

Fensment, Fencement, n. [f. Fens v.]

1. Legal arrest or attachment. 1490 Lanark B. Rec. 6.
The said William was followit in plane court for the brekin of the Kingis fensment 1527 Carnwath Barony Ct. 42 b.
The said lord put it to the knalege of ane inqueist quhidder at the saidis personis … had brokin the saidis fensmentis

2. = Fensing vbl. n. 1. 1569 Misc. Maitl. C. II. 323.
Eftir the fencement of court [the baillies] maid faithe to exerce the said office … lelelie and trewlie 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 16.
Seing that he and thay wair alreddie denuncit traytoris, be fencement of parliament 1586 Digest Justiciary Proc. L. 46.
The Kingis Maiestie hes taine away the said fensment of parliament be his hienes lettres