A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Absolvitour, -ur, n. and a. Also: absolvitoure, -or. [The early form in -our indicates a med.L. *absolvitorium (sc. decretum), for classical L. absolūtōrium, -ius, whence Eng. absolutory (17–18th c.); but the later absolvitur, -itor, may have been apprehended as parts of the verb absolvere.]
1. n. A decree absolving, or in favour of, a defendant. (Still in legal use in the form absolvitor.) 1547 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 250.
Thomas Dauesoun … protestit that the said freris haue ane absoluitour of the said Johnis clame 1557 Acts II. 502.
The Lordis ordanis condempnatour or absoluitour of expensis to be maid at the decisioun of euerilk cause 1561 Reg. Privy C. I. 172.
Thairfoir absolvitour suld be gevin fra the persute of the said pretendit procuratouris 1577 Ib. II. 649.
With certificatioun to him and he failȝe, absolvitour salbe gevin thairfra c1650 Spalding II. 45.
By whose money he had gottin ane absoluitour … Haddoche, trusting to this absoluitour, … baid at home 1673 Bamff Chart. 331.
Ane Decreitt of Absolvitour, obteined befoir the comissar of Dunkeld 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. 391.
The Earle of Niddisdale pursuing the Tennents of Duncow, February 1672, they alledged absolvitur Ib. 510; etc.
These who are unjustly assoilȝied cannot be thereafter pursued, though the absolvitur be found unjust
2. adj. In favour of the defendant. 1600 Edinb. B. Rec. 272.
Thair decreitt absolvitour or condamnitour 1605 Crim. Trials II. 466.
Be sentence absoluitour or condampnitour 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. ii. 122.
Consequently they will pronunce sentence absolvitor, or condemnatour, in the principal cause conform to these rules 1622-6 Bisset I. 228/25.
Quhilk expensis salbe takin up at the decisioun of the decreittis condemnatoure or absolvitoure
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"Absolvitour n., adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 28 Apr 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/absolvitour>
