A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1420-1456, 1511-1689
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Denunce, Denounce, v. Also: denuns(e, -nwns(e, -nonce, -nownsse. [ME. denunce (14th c.), -nounce, -nounse, OF. denonc(i)er, -nuncier, L. dēnuntiāre.]
1. tr. To proclaim (a person) as condemned by the church. c1420 Wynt. vii. 2621.
All the prelatys off Scotland … Cursyd he gert denunsyd be Off the Papys autoryte c1420 Ib. 3020 (C).
Schir Wilȝam Besat gert … His chaplayne … Denownsse [and] cursse withe buk and bell Al tha [etc.] 1511 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III. 108.
Ane of your fermouris … hes lyin curst and denuncit out of this kirk this iii. wolkis
b. To proclaim (as) rebel or traitor to the King. 1538 Reg. Privy S. II. 416/1.
Throw being of the said Schir Iohnne declarit barratour, and denuncit rebell and at the horne for breking of the Actis of Parliament 1542 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 113.
Gif ony persoun … is fugitive and denuncit rebell for non-compeirance 1549 Coll. Aberd. & B. 114.
Gif thay failyie thairin that ye denunce thame … our rebellis and put thame to our horne … for thair contemptioune a1578 Pitsc. I. 51/16.
Gif they compeirit nocht that they sould be denunceit as tratouris 1590 Acts III. 525/1.
All sic personis as ar or salbe fund in registeris or adiornall standand denunceit rebellis and at the horne 1604 Stewart Mem. 113.
That ye … denonce the dissobeyaris our rebellis 1625 Bk. Carlaverock II. 71.
Our landis ar not onlie comprysit, bot also we ar denuncet his Majesteis rebellis
c. To sentence or condemn; to proclaim as condemned. 1513 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 144.
He wes denuncit to be had to the trone and thair strikkin throw the hand c1610 Melville Mem. 397.
Such as were denounced to the horn 1641 Bk. Carlaverock II. 138.
They hawe denunceit me to the horne … and intendis presentlie to use captione 1689 Acts XII. 66/1.
The heraulds who denunced the viscount of Dundee at the mercat cross
d. To delate or report (an offence). 1556 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 232.
The thrid part [to be given] to him quha sall denunce the falt to the Quenis grace or hir officeris for punisment of the samin 1592 Acts III. 555/2.
To deliuer the names denuncit with a breive note of the caus
2. To announce, proclaim, or notify (esp. war). 1456 Hay I. 11/4.
Be the first angel is understandin the sone of God the quhilk he denouncit 1531 Bell. Boece I. 15.
The peace [being] dissolvit. the Pichtis denuncit battell to Scottis 1593 Criminal Trials I. iii. 298.
Thay haue denunceit thair inimitie and ewill will to thame 1596 Dalr. I. 149/31.
Be his legatis … he denunces weiris to the Scottis 1622-6 Bisset I. 171/15.
The pairtie defender in the principall caus suld denunce the pley to his warrand 1619 Garden Elphinstoun 2357.
Who shortelie efter … Denunced warre, defy'd the Frenche 1687 Red Bk. Grandtully II. 286.
He will immediately denunce warre with France
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"Denunce v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/denunce>
