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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.

Usurpar, -er, n. Also: usurppar, usairper. [Late ME and e.m.E. usurpour (1414), vsurper (Lydgate), OF usurpeur.] One who interferes with or attempts to overthrow (a) legitimate authority, monarch, etc. Const. aganis, of, to the authority, etc. Also of the privileges, etc. of a burgess. b. specif. The Cromwellian forces occupying Scotland between 1651 and 1660.(1) 1567 Reg. Privy C. I 547.
[To] discharge … James Curll of the said office of custumarie and of all forther intromissioun thairwith, and … gif he forder intromettis, he salbe repute ane usurpar to oure Soverane Lordis authoritie 1568 Reg. Privy S. VI 61/1.
For his tressonabill cuming in cumpany with David, Erle of Craufurd, and diverse uthiris inobedient personis, usurparis and conspiratouris aganis our soverane lordis auctoritie 1569 Cal. Sc. P. III 16.
Thair is sindry of the assistaris to the said usurpparis can fenȝie hir gracis hand wreitt 1569 Sc. Hist. Rev. I 41.
In so farre haue I abhorred rebellion that I haue always thoght … it vnlauchful to resist the very tyrants or vsurpars … following the holy wryttingis off Daniel & Jeremye 1622-6 Bisset II 162/4.
Princes of Scotland that war … wrangous usurperis of the crown 1626 Garden Worthies 17.
Thy awfull Acho, that vsurper I Gave att the Largs a foull yet famous foile(2) 1620 Aberd. Council Lett. I 187.
As forstalleris and usairperis of the liberteis and priveledges of frie burgesses of gild of the said burgh of Aberdeneb. 1653 Pittenweem Ann. 77.
[Two months' cess to be collected for payment of the] assessment imposed by the usurpers 1661 Acts Sederunt ii 73.
Considering that dureing the power of the late usurpers the … custom of writing in Latine was … discharged 1679 Acts Sederunt ii 140.
Hornings and inhibitions to be booked which were not booked the time of the usurpers 1680 Acts Sederunt ii 147.
Diverse persones pretending to have been admitted under the usurpers do presume to officiate as nottars