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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Proces, v. Also: process(e. P.p. processit, etc., also procest, procesed. [f. Proces n. 6, and cf. also OF processer to prosecute (1240 in Godef.), f. procès n., e.m.E. process (a 1674).]

1. tr. To take or conduct legal proceedings or initiate legal action against (a person), to prosecute.Said of both secular and also, latterly, ecclesiastical courts 1525 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I 390.
The said Androw Elphinstoun hes been lauchfullie procest jornat and summond to this cowrt … to schaw his haldyng 1527 (c 1650) Dundee B. Laws 100.
It sall not be leasum to any craftismen to proces any outman or mast[er]full man to defend or follow befor the dekyne 1532 Treas. Acc. VI 111.
That sche wauld be processit for non payment of hir taxt 1543–4 Reg. Privy S. III 96/1.
Throw hir being ordourlie processit and put to the horne 1569 Reg. Privy C. II 67.
Thai … salbe callit, processit, and persewit thairfoir 1571 Ib. 87. 1573 Ib. 284, etc. 1638 Rothes Affairs Kirk 82.
If any of the supplicants shall be criminallie persued, or any wayes processed, that all the rest salbe redie to assist a1650 Row 95.
How … he had bene processed before the king and his councill, and was this day to be charged to remove off the toun 1651 Nicoll Diary 53. 1670 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. III 170.
The Lords … doe … warrand to his majesties advocat to proces before the Privy Councill the said Francis Irwing 1673 Ib. IV 9.
And that they shall not be processed civilly or criminally therfore a1686 Turner Mem. 143.
Neither had I at all any order to cite or processe formallie the contemners … of churches 1686 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII 19.
Procesed(2) 1620 Cramond Ch. Aberdour 20.
The outlyers from the church … are ordenit to be processt 1625 Moray Synod 12.
That he had processit the guidman of Burgie so long as he was in the countrey 1629 Elgin Rec. II 207. 1640 Baillie I 248. a1650 Row 33.
Whoso wilfullie haunts the companie of excommunicat persones … to be processed also with excommunication 1648 Cupar Presb. 126.
The said Mr. David should be processed be the Sessioun … and be suspendit from being ane elder 1649 Fraser Sir-Name of Baird 80.
Mr. Andrew Ramsay, a minister, is processit befor the commission of the kirk heir for [etc.] 1650 Elgin Rec. II 274.
Fugitives … to returne to their colours … be the order of the comitties, wtherwayes to be procest 1653 Dunbar Moray Doc. 40.
The synode ordains the presbyterie to process him, and report 1658 Aberd. Eccl. Rec. 243. 1670 Inverness Presb. 3. 1694 Misc. Spald. C. II 170.

b. absol. 1670–87 Fraser in Sel. Biog. II 327.
They did not process for their money until I was able to pay them

c. Const. to or with a penalty.(1) 1493 Acta Conc. I 315/2.
To … delay the warding of the said Thomas & James vnto the tyme thai be lauchfully journayit & processit therto according to justice 1531 Reg. Privy S. II 119/2.
Throw his being procest to the horne(2) 1622 Aberd. Eccl. Rec. 88.
They promesit to giwe satisfactioun … otherwayes, ar content to be processit with the censures of the kirk 1652 Argyll Synod II 19.
That, because of James Omay and his wifes obstinacie, they be procest with excomunicatione 1663 Alford Rec. 11. 1669 Kingarth Par. Rec. 53.
That he be … admonisht to … give obedience, otherwise … that he be procest with the higest censure for his contumacy 1685 Wodrow MSS 4^to XXXVII No. 14.
He not compering did proces him with excomunication

2. To take action on, put into effect (an act of court). 1641 Dunbar Moray Doc. 104.
The synod ordaines the former act to be procest with all diligence