A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1471-1578, 1632-1681
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Innovatio(u)n(e, n. Also: -acioune. [L. innovātio, e.m.E. (1548) and OF. innovation.] Alteration of an established form, practice or institution, or of a legal provision. b. The alteration of a legal obligation or its replacement by a new one. 1471 Acts Lords Auditors 19/1.
As to the breking of the decretis of befor, becaus the said James maid nane innouatioune sen the last decrete [etc.] 1491 Acts II. 224/2.
That the formme of chancellary be obseruit and kepit without innouacioune or eiking of new termes 1525 Reg. Great S. 97/2.
Thair salbe nane innovationis nor statutis brocht up nor maid upon ony nychbouris … of the wobbis … dichting of thir prices mair nor wes maid of ald tyme 1540 Edinb. Chart. 212.
The pley beand dependand … , na innovatioun suld be maid a1578 Pitsc. I. 27/13.
Gif he suspectit thame to tak in ony innovatione 1578 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 97.
The forme in … making of the said … taxatioun … sal navyis be interpreit as … innovatioun or diragatioun of the forme and ordour appointit be the saidis actis of parliament a1633 Hope Major Pract. II. 303.
It is treasone to … procuir the innovatione or diminutione of the auctority of any of the thrie estaits of Parliament 1681 Stair Inst. i. xviii. § 8.
Innovation is the turning of one obligation into another
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"Innovation n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 20 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/innovatioune>
