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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Reconventio(u)n(e, -sioun, n. [med. L. reconvention- (c1258 in Latham), F. reconvention (1283 in Larousse), a resummons or counter-petition, e.m.E. reconuention (1629). Cf. late ME reconvencioun (c1449) an agreement made in return, Conventioun n.] A counter-action or summons brought against the pursuer by the defender.In 18th and 19th c. Sc. legal usage appar. restricted to counter-actions brought against a foreign pursuer in the Scottish courts.(1) 1456 Aberd. B. Rec. MS V i p. 284 (21 Nov.).
That sin the said Schir Robert folwit him in this curt he aucht til ansuer til his reconventioun in the sammyn curt 1551 Dundee B. Ct. II fol. 125 (17 Dec.).
The baillies hes continut the mater of reconuensioun (pertening) to George Rolland agains George Rollok 1628 M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. I 245.
If a stranger pursue a Scotsman before the Lords, and the defender has an action of reconvention against the stranger, the pursuer … must find caution 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. ii xix 8 (1678) 453.
In reconventions … the pursuer intended … only to defend himself, by recriminating the pursuit Ib. xxvi 11 (1678) 536.
It is ordinary for any person who is pursued for a crime, to raise a reconvention, and to call therein all such as defenders, whom they think may be led as witnesses against them 1682 Lauder Notices Affairs I 391.
Sir John Dalrymple's libell of reconvention was red 1686 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII 28.
That your lordships will admitt his reconvention to probation 1687 Fountainhall Decis. I 472.
That Sir John Ramsay had also a reconvention against him [sc. James Muir](2) 1523 Dundee B. Ct. I fol. 135 (27 March).
The said Elezabeth ma preif be way reconuentioun a per blak clokis of the said Elezabethis on the said Malkym 1538 Aberd. B. Rec. I 159.
This my petitioune, be way of reconuentioune, to haf the stryntht of ane borght, gyf neid beis 1550 Dundee B. Ct. II fol. 22b (9 Dec.).
To preif the said Patrick payet for the ox be vaye of reconvensioun as efferis of law