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.
Quotation dates: 1571-1700+
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Relaps(e, n.1 Also: -lappis. [e.m.E. relapse backsliding (1533–4), relapse into illness (2584), etc., Relaps(e v.]
1. The committing again of a sin for which one has already been rebuked. 1590 St. A. Kirk S. 685.
To satisfie for his thryis relappis in fornicatioun 1605 Dundonald Par. Rec. 88. 1641 S. Leith Rec. 37.
The quhilk day … compeired Mr. Alexander Jonstone advocat and confesit his relapses 1655 Stirling Ant. II 22.
The penaltie for simple fornication shall be sex punds … and relapse to be double 1665 Elgin Rec. II 304.
The penalties for ilk fornicatione … to be multiplied according to the falls of the parties whither it be relaps, trelaps, quaderlaps 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. i iii 4 (1678) 26.
Publick repentance for the first fault, and the standing at the church-door … for a relapse 1694 Minnigaff Par. Rec. 3.
Archbald M‘Kie, guilty of relaps in fornication 1701 Old Ross-shire I 42.
2. ? An agreement that a former pact is no longer binding. 1571 Bann. Memor. 210.
Articles of agriement with the Erle of Huntlie [etc.]. … Mackyntosche [etc.]. … New band of thaim with relapse
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"Relaps n.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 17 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/relapse_n_1>
