Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

COMPLETE, v. In phr. complete the title, a term in Sc. law: “to take the necessary steps to make a person's ownership of land effective against all comers. In accordance with the Sc. theory of land tenure, these steps involve Infeftment (q.v.) which establishes the real ownership, as distinguished from a merely personal right, and Entry (n.², q.v.), which establishes the owner's position in relation to his feudal superior. These processes, formerly very complex, have been greatly simplified by modern legislation. While a title to land may remain ‘incomplete' indefinitely, the event of a sale may necessitate its ‘completion'” (Abd.¹⁶).