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

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Testificatio(u)n(e, -cioun, n. Also: testefecation, testa-, testefeicaseione. [Late ME and e.m.E. testyficacion (c1450), testification (1593), MF testificacion, L. testificātiōn-.]

1. The action or an act of testifying or witnessing (to the truth of something); the testimony borne; an action, object, etc. serving as evidence or proof. Passing into sense 2below. 1490 Irland Mir. II 12/15.
Has nocht all the patriarkis … maid testificacioun and witnessing for this haly faith of Jhesu 1519 Rec. Earld. Orkney 93.
To wit Johne Skae [etc.] … hes testificatioun on thair saull and conscience that thay knew perfytlie the mairchis betuixt Sabay and Thoep a1538 Abell 121b. 1542–3 Linlithgow B. Ct. 15 Jan.
The quhilk titill is selit with the common sele of the said burgh in testification & witnessing of the consent and assent of the ballies and commite 1549 Compl. 8/30.
On to the tyme that he hed manifest realye, or ellis be certan testificatione the frutis of his laubours 1550 Elgin Rec. I 102.
The testificatioun of the taking of the guiddis to be rafarrit in the aytht of the takaris 1558-66 Knox I 308.
In testificatioun that thei wold his death should abide in recent memorie, thare was castin together a great heape of stones 1567 Anderson Collect. Mary II 241. 1567 Acts II 577/1.
All probatioun and testificatioun vsit in the said mater … to be … considerit be oure said souerane lady 1572 Reg. Privy C. II 132.
Verifiit be the testificatioun of twa or thre famous witnessis 1579 Reg. Privy C. III 128. 1597 Misc. Maitl. C. I 128.
Testificatione a1599 Rollock Wks. I 336.
The apostle sayis not … they sal receive ane rewarde for that quhilk they have done bot according as they have done: he sayis not propter, making warkis ane cause, bot secundum, that is, according to the testification of the warkis 1600 Crim. Trials II 243.
Giff testificatioun of thair joyfull hartis, by resorting to the hering of Godis word 1638 Johnston Diary I 334.
Ane testification from heaven of Gods calling thé 1638 Henderson Serm. 320. a1651 Calderwood II 67.
Suche satisfactiouns … as may beare testificatioun of his … unfained repentance 1681 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS 28 Dec.
For testificatioune of our obedience to our most Gracous Soveraigne Charles the second we do affirm and suear [etc.] 1684 Cloud of Witnesses (1714) 221.
To leave this short word of testimony behind me, in testification of my … adherence to all these … truths

2. A document testifying to some fact, etc. = Testificat n. b. To tak testificatioun, the action of acquiring such a document. 1560–1 Inverness Rec. I 48.
Ane sufficient testefecation of tway potegaris in Edynbruch … that the same droge [etc.] 1563 Reg. Privy C. I 237.
That Thomas Bird … returne agane thairfra [sc. England] … and bring with him sufficient testificatioun and verificatioun that [etc.] 1564 Reg. Privy C. I 281.
Schippis … cum furth of Quenisbrig, becaus thair apperis na danger amangis thame, for besydis thair testificatioun brocht frome that toun, [etc.] 1565 Misc. Wodrow Soc. 288.
That you shall not credeth euery testificatioun as send from ws 1574 Reg. Privy C. II 405.
Ane testificatioun of the said toun of Horne, verifeand the premissis to be of veritie 1579 St. A. Kirk S. 443.
To bring testificatioun to thaime be the meid-wyffe 1580 Reg. Privy C. III 315.
Except the said Maister David wald produce sum testificatioun of the said allegit requisitioun 1602 Dundee Shipping P. 77.
Y have trawillit … to hawe gottin may testafeicaseione and y cane not com no speid at his hand for he sayis that it will not aweill without the townis seill 1602 Dundee Shipping P. 77.
Testefeicaseione 1603 Cochran-Patrick Coinage II 322.
Inventar of the Warrands and Wreitis of the Cunyiehous … Ane testificatioun of the tryell of the fynnes of the hat peices and thirsell nobles 1618 Ritchie Ch. S. Baldred 174.
Jhone Kirsame … has schawin to me his testification that he is maryit 1644 Kinghorn Kirk S. 52.
That he bring a testification of my lord's consent hereto … subscribed with his hand 1645 Sc. Ant. V 117.
A testificatione was produced to the session from the minister and elders of Aberdour declaring that William Andersons marriage … was so long delayed be reasone [etc.] 1687 Shields Hind Let Loose 133.
It was required as a testification of their acknowledgment of, and compliance with the present governmentb. 1562 Reg. Privy C. I 220.
Comperit thir personis … and band and oblist thaim … to entir thair personis within the places undir mentionat … and ar ordinit immediatlie eftir thair entre to tak testificatioun of the provest or baillies of the toun quhair thai ar appointit to remane of thair entre within the samin