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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.

Contentatioun(e, -acioun(e, n. Also: -ation(e, -acion(e. [Late ME. contentacyon (1467), -acion, etc., med. L. contentatio.]

1. Satisfaction by payment; a sum received in satisfaction of a claim, etc.Occas. with synonymous terms as payment, (as)sithment, satisfaction. 1449 Melville Chart. 33.
The said Alexander … sal mak haile contentatioune and payment of the hail ourcome … at sik lyk tyme as [etc.] 1483 Acta Conc. II. p. cxxxiii.
The said Jonet … had gevin our the samyn [terce] and tane contentatioun thairfor 1502 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 643 B.
To haue tane and ressauit … full contentacione, satisfactione, and hail payment for hir releif of the said landis 1513 Dunferm. B. Rec. 191.
Ane mell, twa weggis, and ane certane contentacioune of monye for the lane of thaim 1554–5 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 359.
For mending of the kirk geir … , be secht of Patrik Tod, for his contentatioun thairof 1586 Conv. Burghs I. 223.
Maister George grantis him to have receavitt the sovme … as full contentatioun for his saidis travellis 1614 Crim. Trials III. 298.
Thair fell oute some difference … anent his pairt of the contentatioun … for taking of the pirott schip 1629 S. Leith Kirk S. 18.
Mr Iohne Shawe to have for his contentatioune in keiping the scholl fiftie pounds

b. Freq. in the phr. in contentatioun (of … or for … ). 1499 Dunferm. B. Rec. 94.
[To] pay to the forsad John … iij s. vj d. in contentacione and payment for his lavbour 1501 Treas. Acc. II. 102.
Payit to Dande Doule in contentatioun of the Kingis doublatis that he suld have 1509 Reg. Privy S. I. 300/1.
The gift of … the landis of Newtoun … in excambioun and contentatioun of the ȝerely pensioun of xx merkis 1546 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 246.
We, … , grantis ws to haue resauit … tua hundreth poundis Scottis, in full contentacioun and compleyt payment for thair compositioun to remain at hame … fray the oist 1574 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 451.
Gevin to Johne Andro in full contentatioun of the keipping of the brig port in all tymes bigane 1616 Stirling B. Rec. I. 144.
Thair sall be an impost … in contentatioun of the ladyll dewtie … quhilk is defraudit 1667 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 242.
Which tuo hundereth merkes … is to be in contentatione to ilk ane of them of all they can ask 1686 Stitchill Baron C. 101.
To make payment … the sowme of 3 lib. Scots money in contentation and satisfaction to him of 7 libs. money

2. Satisfaction of mind. 1490 Irland Mir. fol. 154 b.
This is … to the contentacioun and ressonnyn of all creature intellectuale 1560 Acts II. 605/2.
To theffect the sute may be maid in the maist honorable maner and to hir maiesties best contentatioun 1570 Leslie 171.
They … promeisit to do thair diligence thairintill … for his contentatione c1610 Melvil Mem. 105.
The mutuell contentation betwen baith parties