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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

DEPUTE, ppl.adj. and n. Also †deput(t). Formerly in use in Eng. but since 17th cent. only in Sc. [′dɛpjut]

1. ppl.adj. Appointed or acting as deputy. Often placed after the name of the official.Sc. 1701 in E. D. Dunbar Social Life (2nd Series 1866) 133:
Adam Cockburn of Ormestoune — Lord Thesaurer Depute.Sc. 1799 Trans. Highl. Soc. I. (Intro.) vii.:
Mr John Leslie, Depute-Secretary.Sc. 1936 St Andrews Cit. (25 April) 615:
The depute Fiscal intimated to Hon. Sheriff S. that he wished to desert the diet against H.T.Sc. 1943 Session Cases (1942–43) 153:
The Advocate-Depute maintained, upon certain authorities from the text-books which he quoted, that it is criminal by the law of Scotland to instigate a person to do a criminal act.Sc. 1988 Glasgow Herald 20 Jan :
You become Jack or Jill of all trades, master or mistress of none. Instead of fearing that the depute heidie, now sidling up with that cheesy grin that gives you the heebie-jeebies, is about to dish out another dreaded "please take", you know for a fact he is.Lnk. 1711 J.P.s Lnk. (S.H.S. 1931) 123:
Compeared Thomas Stiel of Midleholm, baillie deput of the regality of Hamilton for the district of Lesmahagow.

2. n. A deputy.Sc. 1706 in Earls of Crm. (ed. Fraser 1876) II. 4:
The Lord Advocat desyred to speak with me on the matter of that shipp seazed by my depute.Sc. 1821 J. Baillie Metr. Leg., Lord John xxiv.:
'Twas no depute's task your guest to ask.