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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Translatio(u)n, -coun(e, -cioun, n. Also: translatyown(e, -tione, -cion(e, transslacion. [ME and e.m.E. translacioun (Rolle), translacyo(u)n (both 1447), translacion (Caxton), translation (1538), OF translation, translātiōn-.]

1. Transference, removal from one place to another. b. fig. Of non-material things. c. ? Applied to dying or a death. d. The transference of a person from one charge or post to another. c1420 Wynt. vii 589.
The translatyowne Wes done … Off Saynt Cuthbert till Durame c1420 Wynt. vii 3102.
Translatyown [C. transslacion] 14.. Reg. Maj. c. 124.
Thocht fra the begynnyng thai cum nocht in the kingis court sic mutis of rycht thai cum ner the les be translacoune, quhar the courtis of thar lordis ar pruffyt o rycht till haf deffalȝeit 1474 Treas. Acc. I 52.
To Spardoure … passand in the west for the translacione of the parliament fra Sanctandros to Edinburghb. 1551 Hamilton Cat. 8.
The translatioun of the sabboth day to the Sonday 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 54.
Thir are the proper actions of the body only. Now he ascrives them to the saul be ane translation, be ane figurative manner of speakingc. 1533–4 Dunferm. Reg. Ct. 108.
Ane assedatione … grantit be vmquhill … Androw Archbiscop of Sanct Androis to Patrick Wemys … of the dait … the aucht day of … Apriell in the ȝeyr … j^m v^c nynteyne ȝeris and of his translatione the fyft ȝeyrd. 1680 Aberd. Eccl. Rec. 334.
The professors place in the Kings Colledge … is now vacant thorow the translation of Mr. John Menzies to the professor of divinitie in New Aberdeine 1681 Stair Inst. ii viii § 25.
The interest of bishops in their benefices is much alike with ministers as to their entry which is regulated by their consecration or translation 1685 Jervise Epitaphs & Inscriptions I 388/1.
Your translatione is easie from a ruyter of horse to the comand of that companie

2. a. The action or process of translating from one language to another. b. The text, etc. thus translated.a., b. 1460 Hay Alex. 19312.
Him that maid the first translatioun a1500 Henr. Fab. 32.
Of this poete … In mother toung, of Latyng, I wald preif To mak ane maner of translatioun ; c1490 Irland Asl. MS 4/5.
Some personis appruf nocht the translacoun of haly writ in Ynglis toung 1494 Loutfut MS 128b.
Heir begynnys the translacioun out of Latyne in to Ynglis c1515 Asl. MS I 153/10.
The translacoun of the storye 1513 Doug. i Prol. 364.
Latyne wordis … That in our leid ganand translatioun hes nane, Les than we menis thar sentence and grauite 1531 Bell. Boece (M) I 243.
I devise this my translacioun mair for lawit men than ony curious clerkis 1562-3 Winȝet I 109/6.
Will ȝe hald the commoun translatioun fals becaus the Greik text hes μυστήριον? 1563 Davidson in Misc. Wodrow Soc. 206.
Thare is ane great difference betuixt the understanding of the Law of God that is sufficient … for ane mannis salvatione and the understanding … that is requirit in ane prechour … Tharefore … be the commune translatione men mycht be instructit sufficientlie to thair salvatione [etc.] 1576 Reg. Privy S. VII 94/2.
Grantand … to thame [sc. Alexander Arbuthnet and Thomas Bassindyne] licence … to prent … Bibillis in the vulgare Inglis toung … dischargeing all and sindrie [etc.] … to prent … ony correctare or lettir [? erron. for bettir] translatioun or volume quhatsumevir c1637 Calderwood in Misc. Bann. C. I 237.
He was in hands … with the translation of our Church psalmes

3. Transformation, alteration, change; transmutation; renovation. 1475 Acts II 112/1.
Al cunȝit money … put to the fire to be maid bulȝone to vther new money is minist … in the translacione a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 543 (Asl.).
Think how thi flesche … Sall be the fude of worme … Richt terrible is this strange translacoun 1512 Treas. Acc. IV 423.
To Robert Spittale, tailȝour … for sewing silk for the translatioun of ane goune a1586 Maitland Geneal. Setoun 38.
The grit dungeoun … fell to the ground … The caus of the fallin … was … thair was sindrie translatiouns maid into it

4. a. Transference of property, debts, etc.; chiefly in legal usage, alteration of inheritance by transference of the heritage to someone other than the direct heir or heirs. b. Such a transference effected by means of a legal process or summons of translation; an instance of this. c. A document recording the transference.a., b. c1420 Wynt. vi 99 (see Translat(e v. 4).
Translatyowne [C. translacion, W. translatioun] 1490 Irland Mir. III 149/13.
The lawis that makis mencioun of successioun or translacioun of heretage suld not be wnderstand of the realme and dignite rial 1534 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 140.
In presens of the … inquisitouris Thomas Hendersone sais … that he suld affirme and byd at the vordis the quhilkis he said upone the translatione, … that he suld preif George Michelhill ane theif and ane ressaittour 1574–5 Reg. Privy S. VII 13/1.
His hienes advocattis hes laitlie intendit summondis of translatioun against the said James Scot for reductioun of the said infeftment … and sua intendis to persew the said pupill for taking away fra him his heretagis a1578 Pitsc. I 63/4.
The translatioun of the house of Murray fre the Dunbaris to the Douglas 1586 Reg. Privy C. IV 66.
[The Earl … had been] furnist … be the said Timothie … to the sowme of sax thousand [etc.] … li. … the said Timothie … obtenit … ane decreit of translatioun of the said first obligatioun in the said present erll 1628 M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. I 248.
That translation … was to a stranger, and one of perfect age 1653 Galloway P. 11 Aug.
Ladie Margaret Grahame … gave power to me … to receave ane translatione of the said assignatione fra the said Johne Chissolme 1665 M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. II 377.
His contract of marriage with the said Dame Anna, containing a translation of the said sum in favours of her husband 1670 M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. II 457.
A right flowing by translation from Elizabeth Conyghame, who had an assignation to the bond 1676 Edinb. B. Rec. X 275.
The equivalent soume dew be the toun to the said baillie … as haveing right be translatione from William Leitch 1681 Stair Inst. iii i § 3.
Under assignations are comprehended translations, being transmissions from a prior assignee to a posterior 1700 Galloway P. 1 June.
The said soum … was advanced by the said earle who has taken the translatione in name of the said Andrew … theirfoir the said Andrew does be thir presents retrocess the said earle in his ouen rightc. 1672 Acts VIII 87/1.
Translations, discharges, tacks … and all letters that pas the signet [that] there be allowed … eightein shilling