Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

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

Surceas(e, -ceace, n. [e.m.E. surcease (1586); Surcease v.] Delay, suspension, postponement (of court business). Cf. Surceance n. — 1661 Lauder Notices Affairs I 1.
After two years surcease of justice, the Parliament … did sit doun the 1st of Januar 1661 1664 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. I 582.
The shireff … commandit surcease of further service that day 1674 Edinb. B. Rec. X 192.
There [is] … ane absolute surceas of our ordinary courts of justice untill the electiones be finished 1674 Edinb. B. Rec. X 205.
Eight dayes longer surceace of our ordinary courts of justice which holds not till the electione be over