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

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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Secur(e, v. Also: secuir(e, sekeer(e. [e.m.E. (1593), trs med. L. securare to preserve, safeguard (Latham); Secure adj. Cf. Siker v.]

1. a. To establish or confirm a person, corporation, etc. (in some right or privilege). 1659 Glasgow B. Rec. II 413.
The toune being secured in there patronage off the bussers, conforme to the mortificatioune mad 1670 Morison Dict. Decis. XI 9153.
That he is not obliged to pay … the tocher, unless his daughter were secured in her jointure 1692 Pitcairne Assembly ii iii (1752) 29.
If we be nae otherways sekeered, bot be the claim of right, we've a cald coal to blaw at: I wad anes see't sekeere the quintra fra free quarters and a the rest of the abeeses mentioned in't, and then we may expect sum guist o't; but guid seeth, Moderatar, Sir William Littlelaw had nae a's wits about him fan that claim was drawn

b. To make (a creditor) certain of receiving payment, by means of a bond, pledge, etc. 1659 Rothesay B. Rec. 282.
John Mure … went to Sara Spence … and offerit if scho wold secuir him and haid richt to the reversioun of that land … to delyver ane hundrethe merkis money 1671 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS 25 Oct.
Vpon quhilks bands the thesaurer is to raise horneing inhibitioun and apprysing till the toun be further secured

c. To guarantee possession of (by purchase); to buy. 1689 Elgin Rec. I 347.
Baillie Innes and Kenneth Mackenzie to visite the south syd … and to trye who hes pouder and lead to sell and caus secuire the samyne

2. a. To get secure possession of (lands). b. To guarantee (a purchase), etc. (to a buyer).a. 1672 Alford Rec. 185.
Anent mortificationes, the … brethren declaired that they knew none unclear, or not well secured, safe one in Glenbucket 1692 Cramond Kirk S. III 15 Aug.
I [sc. Archibald Young of Leny] have subscrived thire presents [sc. disposition of the school in Cramond] at Cramond [etc.] … As to the limitations written on the backe of the disposition, the heretors & elders present, are satisfied to holde the schoole of Leny in blench, so he secure them from all othersb. 1681 Stair Inst. ii i § 42.
We have not the privilege of fairs which the English have, that horse bought in public market should be secured to the buyer

3. To render (a person) safe or secure (from punishment); to reprieve. 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. i xxxv 8 (1678) 342.
Certainly Assint had been punisht as a traitor for that accession, if he had not been secured by an act of indemnity

4. To confine (a person) securely in prison; to imprison. 1667 Inverness Rec. II 233.
To charge the magistrats … to accept of the said rebell … and secur him in the jeil

5. To repair (a building) so as to make it sound. 1673 Aberd. Council Lett. V 222.
As to the dammadge and skaith [sc. to the Tolbooth] it may not onlie be the expenses of macking up the holl … but that the pend may be securit for the future for that is our greatest dammadge