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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.

Crime, Cryme, n. Also: chryme. [ME. cryme (Chaucer), e.m.E. crime, OF. crime, earlier crimne, L. crīmen.]

1. Serious wrong-doing; violation of law. c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 2030.
Quhen women settis thaim for sic cryme As for to defoull thare bodyis 1456 Hay I. 261/5.
Gif a man has despyte at ane othir, and wald gladly fynd a fault till him of crime famous c1450-2 Howlat 108.
I am netherit ane owll … Withoutin caus or cryme kend in this case a1500 Henr. III. 148/64.
O blosum blithe … Fra carnale cryme that clene is! 1509 Reg. Privy S. I. 277/2.
A remitt made generaly … for all actioun and crime that may be impute to thaim 1542 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 110.
In this cais his escheit fallis not be reasoun of crime committit within the burgh a1578 Pitsc. I. 27/13.
But ony tryall of thair cryme or innocencie [thay] sould incur his danger or indignatione

2. An act punishable by law; an instance of serious wrong-doing. c1420 Wynt. v. 4588.
Symacus … Defamyd wes off gret crimys Ib. 4597.
Off all thir crymys … Symacus thare purgyd wes 1456 Hay I. 259/28.
The husband or othir that accusis hir of this crime mortalle 1490 Irland Mir. I. 91/27.
Bot geve [= unless] … synnis, fautis, and crymys [were] punyst be iustice 1490 Acta Aud. 141/2.
[It] sall be na crime to him becausse he did it be a colourit richt as said is 1513 Doug. viii. Prol. 69.
Swengeouris … Gevis na cur to cun craft, nor comptis for na cryme 1535 Stewart 28378.
Syne tha that wes committaris of the cryme … In Loutheane tha fled 1557 Reg. Cupar A. II. 142.
It salbe tynsall off thair takkis to the committare of the cryme 1563 Inverness B. Rec. I. 98.
Scho … was banneist of this burgh abefor for chrymes committit be hyr 1574 Reg. Privy C. II. 399.
Slauchter of blak fische, polking and polting or ony uther crymes a1605 Montg. Son. vii. 1.
Shir, clenge ȝour cuntrie of thir cruell crymis 1613 St. A. Baxter Bks. 79.
The said deakin and counsell foresaid findyng the saidis persones to have done ane ennormous fault and cryme

3. An accusation or charge; the blame of having done wrong. 1456 Hay I. 261/18.
Gif … sum othir of hir frendis wald … gaynsay the crime and put his body tharfore 1483 Acta Conc. II. Introd. 120.
Thai may nocht be thair procuraturis persew ony cryme of falsite of the said instrument a1500 Seven S. 2247.
He said, Schir, we haue seruit na cryme 1513 Doug. ii. ii. 68.
Vlixes … With new crymys begouth affray me sair 1560 Rolland Seven S. 8912.
Scho said, Gude schir, forsuith ȝe serue greit crime 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 51.
[He] pressit at my lord regentis hand the cryme to be changeit, and he to be accusit of the troubles [etc.] 1585 Acts III. 400/2.
Ony suspicioun or cryme quhairvpoun the … erll of Gowrie was attented