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 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Negative, -iwe, adv. and n.² Also: nag-. [Late L. negāt vē.] adv. In the negative, by way of negation or denial; also b. as noun.Chiefly (and ? originally) a legal usage: for further examples see Affirmative. 1532 Dunferm. Reg. Ct. 63.
The quhilk assis wald nocht … deliuer nowthir affirmative nor negative 1532 Ex. Processes (Reg. H.) 2 (Betoun v. Melville). 1549–50 Perth Guildry 265 (7 Feb.).
The samyn wes referrit to his aitht and deponit negatiue 1584 Digest Justiciary Proc. L. 7. 1625 Moray Synod 10.
Alexr. Thomsone being demanded if [etc.] … ansuered negative a1633 Hope Major Pract. II. 252. 1653 Dumfries Kirk S. 18 Aug.
For the elleget sinn of fornicatioune … [he] swore negative 1671 Corshill Baron Ct. 96.
The persewer denyed, and in end referrs to the persewaris oath, who deponed negatiue he made him suche promise 1673 Edinb. B. Rec. X. 156.
Baillie Learmont … votted negative 1686 Stitchill Baron Ct. 100.b. 1563 Dumfries B. Ct. 216.
To compeir in the tolboytht … & gif furtht thair decreit of negative or affirmatiue 1607 Inverness Rec. II. 50.
The judges … caussit incluse the inquest in the cunsaill hous till they haid giffin sentence of affirmitiwe or negatiwe