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

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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Rehabilitatio(u)n(e, -acioun(e, n. Also: rehabilatoune; reabilitacioune. [e.m.E. rehabilitacion a writ restoring a person to ecclesiastical privileges (once, 1533–4), med. L. rehabilitation-, otherwise only Sc. till 19th c. Cf. Rehabilitat v., F. réhabilitation.]

1. The act of restoring (a person) to former rank, privileges, etc.; the action of rehabilitating, in sense 1 of Rehabilitat v.Letter of rehabilitatioune, a document setting forth the fact of a person's rehabilitation. 1483 Acts XII 32/1.
And sal gif him lettrez … of … abbolucioun of al criminale trespas … and reabilitacioune … and gif thame [sc. his accomplices] lettrez of remissioun and rehabilitacioune vndir the grete sele 1500 Reg. Privy S. I 85/2 (see Rehabil(l v.). 1538 Ib. II 409/1.
In contrar, violatioun, or breking of this our remitt and discharge, rehabilitatioun, restitutioun, and reintegratioun 1572–3 Reg. Privy C. II 174.
His hienes rehabilitatioun to all and sindry thair landis, heretages, possessionis and gudis movabill, with restitutioun and reintegratioun to thair gude fame and wardlie honouris 1578 Reg. Privy S. VII 239/2.
Quhilkis … is na wyise meanit to be comprehendit in this restitutioun, rehabilitatioun and reponing a1633 Hope Major Pract. I 280.
Restitution … to persones laufully forfaulted … shall have no further effect bot for the rehabilitation of their persones allanerly 1633 Acts V 55/2.
This present act of rehabilitation is grantit be his majestie … to the said Francis … provyding alwayes … that the forsaid rehabilitatioun … sall nawayes be prejudiciall to James Marques of Hamiltoun [etc.] 1679 M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. II 243.
Thereafter the king grants a re-habilitation to John Stuart, bearing … that John was an infant the time of his father's crimes

b. A letter of rehabilitation. 1553 Dundee B. Ct. II fol. 259 (23 Oct.).
Becaus the said Robertis rehabilitacioun grantit & gevine to hym wes sene & red before the said inquest 1613 Haddington Corr. 75.
For appending his hienes great seall to this present rehabilitatioune a1633 Hope Major Pract. I 70.

2. The act of legitimating. See also Rehabilitat v. 2. 1565 National Reg. Archives (Scotl.) Rep. (Ewart Lib., Dumfries) 5.
And rehabilatoune to the said Effame anent her unlawful conceptioun a1633 Hope Major Pract. I 279.
Act of rehabilitation of naturall bairns of James, somtyme Earle Morton