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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.

Retractatioun(e, n. Also: retrect-. [ME and e.m.E. retractacion (1451), f. L. retractāre Retract v.² Perh. influenced by Retract v.¹]

1. Of legal decisions, etc.: a. ? Correction, amendment. b. Revocation, rescindment, withdrawal. 1528 Acts II 323/1.
Bot protestand that we may oppone agane the samin and als retractatioune and restitutioune geif ocht be done aganis ws 1531 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 354.
Retractatioun 1542 Acts II 419/1.
This present declaratioune and retrectatioun of the said decrete and dome of forfaltour 1542 Reg. Morton II 275.
The said George sall … sollist for retractatioun and adnulling of the infeftment maid c1575 Balfour Pract. 160.
Na man quha is enterit air to his predecessour may call and persew for reductioun and retractatioun of ony infeftment, alienatioun, dispositioun, or assedatioun, maid … be his predecessour, to ony persoun Ib. 268.
The lordis of sessioun ar jugeis competent to ken and cognosce … upon the retractatioun and validitie of ony decreit [etc.]

2. ? A drawing back (from resolve); ? reluctance. 1562-3 Winȝet II 70/14.
Without al hæsitatioun or dout bayth lat it be maid patent, and without ony retractatioun be condemnit