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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.

Renunciatio(u)n(e, n. Also: renuns-, renunt(t)- and -iacioun, -iacion(e, -yatyowne, -eatio(u)n(e; -acioun, -atio(u)n(e; -iacon. [ME and e.m.E. renunciation (1399), renountiacioun (1462), also renonc- (1695), L. renunciātiōn-, n. of action; Renunc(e v. Cf. F. renonciation (13th c. in Larousse).]

1. The action of giving up, surrendering or resigning (a right, property, office, etc.).Also, letter (instrument, etc.) of renunciatioune.(1) 1429 Discharge in Argyll Mun. 20 March.
The quhilkis renunciacon resignacon quytecleme and giffing up of al richt and clame of the landis forsaide 1496 Acta Conc. II 11.
For the renunciacione and resignacione of hir thrid of the landis 1501 Stirlings of Keir 272.
For the renuntiatioune and discharging and ouergevine … of ane reuersioun 1503 Prot. Bk. J. Foular 198.
In the disposicion and renunciacion of the richt and titile of the saidis heretagis pertening to me 1512 Reg. Privy S. I 374/2.
The lands of Terane … being in the kingis handis lauchfully be dimissioun and renunciatioun of Agnes Houstoun 1541 Treas. Acc. VII 470.
For renunsiatioun of all and sindrie the landis, lordschippis and dominionis Ib. 455.
Renunsiation 1557–8 Rec. Earld. Orkney 262.
And that for the renunttiatione and kyndnes of the tent penny and ferd of all my said faderis guddis 1562 Maxwell Mem. II 129.
Togidder with the instrument of William Anderson's renuntiatioun, quhilk I saw this day 1574–5 Reg. Privy S. VII 12/1.
Togidder with all renunceationis approbationis maid … of the infeftment of the saidis landis 1587 Aberd. Council Lett. I 30.
Be maist autentik forme that can be dewysit ether be infeftment renunceatioun or redemptioun 1612 Prot. Bk. W. Leslie 6b/9.
To purchese and obtein to the said James Lawtie and his forsaidis sufficient and attentik renuntiaciones of all and quhatsumeuir rycht ty[t]le entres or possessione quhilk the said Margrat … had 1655 Rothesay B. Rec. 5.
Jeane Calquhoune … ratifeit and approvit ane dispositioune and renunciatioune maid [etc.](b) 1555 Dundee B. Ct. III fol. 6 (24 Oct.).
Never to revoik hir said renunsacioun in na tyme to cum vnder the pane of periurie & inhabilite 1603 Shetland Sheriff Ct. (ed.) 107.
For renunsatioun of the said Margretis lyfrent richt to the said Hew a1633 Hope Major Pract. I 122.
The statut anent bankrupts could not be extended to renuncationes mad of wodsetts(2) 1571 Bann. Memor. 165.
A lettre, conteaning a certane forme of dimissione of hir crowne … with a commissione to certane persones … to receaue the said renunciatioune and dimission in favouris of hir majesties derrest sone 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 9.
The king desyrit fra all his officiaris renunciatioun of thair offices 1633 Acts V 77/1.
The renunciatioun … be the said Archibald … of the office of justiciarie generall of the haill kingdome(3) 1503–4 Treas. Acc. II 423.
For writing of Lord Setonis letter of renunciacioun of the barony of Kenedward 1591 Digest Justiciary Proc. O 23.
The maist malitious forging … of ane … instrument of renunciatioun 1621 Acts IV 621/2.
For ane act of reuocatioun or renunceatioun gevin in wreat

b. A letter or instrument of renunciation. = (3) above. 1605 Orkney Rentals iii 5.
Ane renunceat[io]ne of the fruits, rentis, and dewties of the bischopes lands of Orkney in favor of James Bischope of Orkney 1629 in Scrymgeour Invent. 4.
Mr. Alexander Wederburne his renunciatione of the … aikers of Dudope in favouris of Sir Jhone Scrymgsour

c. Const. to be an heir: The formal resignation of one's position as heir. 1664 Decis. Lords G. 72.
The appearand heir getting condemnator, or absolvitor upon a renunciation to be heir

2. A repudiation or rejection of (a custom, religious system, etc.). c1420 Wynt. v 3410.
He made renuncyatyowne Off baptysme and off Crystyne fay