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

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Unpersewit, p.p. Also: unpersewyt, -ed, -sowit. [17th c. Eng. unpursu'd (Milton); Persew v.]

1. Of a person: Not, or without being, pursued. 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 470.
That heuinlie wicht, hir cristall ene sa dantis, For blenkis sweit nane passit vnpersewit [L. vnpersewyt]

2. Not pursued in law with a view to litigation. a. Of an action, process, etc. b. Of a person.a. 1469 Acts II 95/1.
Anentis obligationis … it is avisit that the partij … that has interes therein sall folow the said obliga[tion] within the space of fourty ȝeris … and gif he dois nocht it sall … be of nain avail the said fourtj ȝer beand ronnyng & vnpersewit be the law 1622-6 Bisset II 94/3.
Ȝeir and day wes past, and the action unpersewed be the executouris 1630 Kirkcaldy Presb. 15.
Mr. Alexander allegit that he had ane process against him whilk hes lyen over this long while unpersowitb. 1531 Reg. Privy S. II 134/2.
The saidis personis … to be … unaccusit, unfollowit, unpersewit … for quhatsumever actioun or cryme 1599 Reg. Privy C. VI 19.
With ane ernist sute and requeist that … the said James be unpersewit or straitit by his creditouris