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

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Subsume, v. Also: subsum, -some, -soome. P.p. also subsumet, -eit. [17th c. Eng. subsume (1624), med. L. subsumere (a1360 in Latham), f. L. sub under and sūmere to take.] tr. and intr.

1. To state, as a proposition or fact; to add or subjoin (a fact or statement to (under) a larger whole). 1535 Stewart 48489.
Neir be this tyme that ȝe heir me subsume, Ane oratour the Scottis send to Rome 1535 Stewart 57347.
The ȝeir of God ane thousand and thre hunder, And nyntie als syne for to subsume wnder 1581 Burne Disput. 4b.
Ȝe subsume that the iustice of Christ is not treulie communicat vnto vs, but onlie be imputation, sua necessarlie it follouis that [etc.] 1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 141.
They persuade themselfes that all wil say this is no treason. Then subsume they, but such was Argiles compliance; ergo [etc.]

b. specif. In legal usage: To state, allege. 1601 Crim. Trials II 362.
It is subsumit, that diuerse of the ministeris … wes boistit and manassit the day lybellit 1611 Crim. Trials III 133.
It is allegit, that the Dittay is nocht relevant to infer treasoun, becaus it is never subsumeit in the Dittay, that [etc.] 1617 Crim. Trials III 420.
It is subsumet, gif it was lauchfull to tak the man-slayer … , ergo, it was lauchfull to vse all the midissis be the quhilk he sould be taken 1631 Justiciary Cases I 162.
That qualificatioun is nocht subsumet in the dittay a1633 Hope Major Pract. II 219.
Quher the partie is denunced at ane wther place nor the mercat croce of the shyr quher he dwells, … if it be subsumed that the partie dwelt in ane wther shyr this subsumptione most byd ane tryall 1660 Aberd. Council Lett. IV 79.
The burgh of Aberdein did subsoome that ther wes ane band granted and the money payed be severall burgesses of Aberdein 1661 Aberd. Council Lett. IV 173.
The provest in his part alledges that he hes grantit the said discharge to the toune and therfor subsumes that the provest and baillies suld pay the said sowme

2. To assume, infer. 1562–3 Linlithgow Sheriff Ct. 20 Feb.
Quhilk pretendit conclusioun can na wayis be inferrit releuantlie vpone the premisis subsumand alanerlie vptaking of males & concludand withhalding of landis 1600 Hamilton Facile Tr. 436.
The Apostle subsumes as a thing maist manifest, that the wyf is bund [etc.] 1606 Lett. Eccl. Affairs I 362.
Quho dar … vpoun this so shameleslie and vntrewlie subsome, as yf by these wordis We did also include [etc.] 1675 M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. II 191.
It is evident that privileges were granted to wrights and masons … which, being communicated to their inferior trades, can be extended no farther than what they have by concession from them … but they cannot subsume that ever they were elected deacons 1678 Fountainhall Decis. I 1.
They had promised him the said sum if he should effectuate marriage betwixt the defender and such women; and Sir William subsumed he had done it 1686 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII 28.
That it is wnwarrantable … to send privat dispatches by any then by the ordinary posts, and … subsums that this hes bein the defenders practice 1696 Burnett Fam. P.
And subsumeing that for certaine reasonable cause and good considerationes the said deceast Thomas Burnet … did … superceed any premonitione to be made [etc.]

3. intr. To state a premise or proposition. 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 110.
It is leisome to us to have a care of our health: … Now, subsume; but the health of thy saull stands in the health of thy conscience [etc.]