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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.

Fact, n. Also: fack, fak. [e.m.E. (1539), L. factum.]

1. An act or deed. 1492 Myll Spect. 272/15.
His gret besynes in the factis merciall 1568 Pref. Lyndesay 3.
Quhat verteous … fact hes he not praisit a1578 Pitsc. I. 43/1.
The honourabill factes of martiall deidis c1590 J. Stewart 84/14.
Ether visdome, force, or vordie fak

2. A wicked or criminal act. a. With adjectives expressing condemnation. 15.. Clar. ii. 1808.
He hes ane false and feindlie fact conspyrit 1570 Sat. P. xv. 54.
Thair gutts mot be among ȝour cluikis, That did this bludy fact c1590 J. Stewart 218 § 74.
Rycht soir lament I ȝour enormall fack 1603 Philotus lxxxiii.
I sall hir ane exampill mak, … For to commit sa foull ane fack 1625 Garden Kings 15.
In effecting of his foullest facts A bloodie end this … monarch macks 1661 Lanark B. Rec. 187.
The thiftous fackes of cornes and kell committit

b. Without qualification. a1578 Pitsc. II. 196/17.
The Erle Bothwell … denyed the cryme, and said … that he was clein of that fact c1615 Chron. Kings 100.
The tratouris … maid all the slachter … to purdge thame selffis fra the former fack 1654 Lanark B. Rec. 155.
Iff ever he salbe fund guiltie of any of the factis contenit in the prior act 1665 Ib. 192.
His facts and misdemaneris