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

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Compositioun, -icioun, n. Also: -itioune, -icioune, -ycioune; -ition, -icion(e, -ission(e. [ME. (Chaucer), OF. composition, L. compositio.]

1. An agreement between parties for the settlement of some dispute, disagreement, loss or damage, or other matter of importance.Frequently with amiable or amicable, q.v.(a) 1392 Lennox Mun. 48.
Nouther I … na nane of our hayris, sal make anyng na maner of composycioune with na dedlyke persoune for na mede [etc.] 1438 Montgomery Mem. 29.
Geff it hapynis … the forsayd Alan to recouer the Erldome off the Leuenax … be quhatsumeuer maner off way … or composicone 1527 Carnwath Baron Ct. 31 b.
In tym to cum all composicionis salbe gyffin in vrit 1539 Breadalbane P. (Reg. H.) No. 50.
To ressaue … the soum of nyne scoir of merkis … as the composicioun maid thairapon proportis(b) 1456–70 Liber Aberbr. 107.
Owr baronry Ordyndrane and Kilbleyn, the quhilkis we gaif owr at the compositioun 1494 Fam. Rose 163.
Ane compositioun maid … in the Justice Are of Inuernes c1500-c1512 Dunb. xliii. 37.
Thair compositioun, with full remissioun, Thair fynaly is endit 1533 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III. 467.
Thir are the offeris that we … are content to do [for manslaughter] … as we that twik ws to compositioune of remissioun tharfoir 1540 Lynd. Sat. 2664.
He that all the warld hes wrangit, … Thocht he serue greit punitioun, Gets easie compositioun 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 17 b.
Pleyes … decided and ended be amicabill composition, or finall concord

2. A sum paid in settlement of a claim, obligation, or matter in dispute; the amount fixed by agreement between parties.(a) 1473–4 Treas. Acc. I. 2.
The comptare chargis him with a composicione made with George of Moncrefe for the mariage of the are of Trestrame Makgorty 1498 Ib. 317.
I resauit fra Robert Douglas … for the composicioune of ane charter of confirmacioune … ij lib. 1502 Ib. II. 345.
To the heraldis for thair composicioun of the eschet of the barres 1536 Breadalbane P. (Reg. H.) No. 46.
The sowm of thre hundreth thretty thre lib. … in compleit payment of first terme of the composicion of the ward & releif … of Glenwrquhay 1570 Leslie 167.
A certane mercifull pitye, quhilk he did oftymes show … taiking rather composicions of money nor menis lives(b) 1494 Acta Aud. 201/2.
The some of four li. vsuale money of Scotland grantit awing to him be the said Arthure for ane composition 1497 Treas. Acc. I. 315.
I resauit fra my Lord Gordoune, for his compositioune of the assedatioune and tak of Dernvay … vjc lxvj li. 1516 Stirlings of Keir 307.
That the composition for the samyn wald haue extendit to the said sowme 1543 Reg. Cupar A. II. 221.
Composition xx ^lib, to be pait at Midsumer, and the tothir half at Androsmes 1552 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 333.
I am to be chargit with … ane compositioun for certain hydis put in ane schip unfrauchtit 1569-73 Bann. Memor. .
The kirklandis that ar fewit, make ȝow to reduce thame all; for that way ȝe sall … get grit sowmes of money in compositioune 1596 Misc. Spald. C. II. 133.
The said Alexander … fand ane quarter of said scheip with yow, for quhilk ye offerit him compositioun 1603 Moysie 119.
Sum wer licenciat to byd at home by ressoun of thair compositionis bestowed upone payment of the suddardis(c) 1473–4 Treas. Acc. I. 4.
Resauit fra Arthoure Forbes in part of payment of a composissione of a gressome, x li. 1488 Ib. 95.
To Lord Gray, of the compoyssission of the landis of Baky, j^c l li. a1578 Pitsc. II. 28/12.
Quhairby the governour obtenitt great sowmes of money for thair releif and composissioun

b. The fees paid for admission as a burgess. 1579 Aberd. B. Rec. II. 34.
The exhorbitant … compositionis takin be the deconis of the craftis … fra craftismen and breder of the craft in admytting thame fre of thair craft 1651–2 Peebles B. Rec. II. 193.
To Proveist Lowis for his burgessis compositione … £1 13 4

c. Attrib. with bukis. 1508 Reg. Privy S. I. 269/2.
All utheris soumes of money, restis of compositiounis and uther restis aucht till us … in our compositiounis bukis 1511 Ib. 338/1.
The remanent of the said soume is thankfully … pait and allouit as oure compositioun bukis beris

3. Literary composition. 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 9.
Thys classe … salbe mair exercisit in composition than the otheris Ib. 12.
Geif he … be iugit worthy be trial of composition in verse and prose

4. A medical compound. 1590 Edinb. Test. XXI. 311 b.
xj pund … compositiounes laxatiues