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

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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Oner(o)us, a. Also: hono(u)ro(u)s(e. [e.m.E. and ME. onerous(e, also ME. honerous (c 1400), burdensome, of the nature of an obligation, OF. (h)onereus, L. onerōsus.] (Only in legal use.) Involving payment; given for or arising from payment in money or the like; not gratuitous.Also in earlier examples contrasting with Lucrative a., q.v. 1660 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 185.
James [etc.] … imprisonit … at the instance of certane persons ther creditors for certane sowms of money and other onerous caussis 1665 Irvine Deeds 14 Aug.
For causis onerus to sell and dispon his thrid pairt of the said tenement 1666 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Deeds I. 68.
[Gilbert McKertney … for certain] honourous causes and sumes of money done and payd to him [he assigns … a bond] 1672 Rothesay B. Rec. 238.
This onerous caus following viz. the lands of Fauldcregan being dispounit … the foirsaids lands of Fauldinleave and Ardochow was grantit in securetie and excambioune thairfoir 1672 Kirkcaldy B. Rec. MS. 27 Dec.
Burgesses gratis or as honorose 1674 Edinb. B. Rec. X. 180.
The makeing of those burgesses and gildbrether are upon als weightie considerationes and onerous causis as if the sowmes of money dew theirfor were actuallie payed in downtold and numerat money 1677 Red Bk. Grandtully II. 232.
In the surety the onerous cause is mentioned 1681 Stair Inst. iii. vii. 2. 1698 Fountainhall Decis. II. 21.
These clauses are not impeditive of the husband's power of disposal for onerous causes. yet it is most unjust that he shall have liberty, by gratuitous deeds, to [etc.]