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

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Legato(u)r, n. Also: legatur, (-oor), legatar. [Irreg. f. Legat v. 1: cf. (1) e.m.E. legator (1651), L. lēgātor one who bequeaths, a testator, and (2) e.m.E. legatary (1570), -ory (1542), L. lēgātārius (med. L. also -orius), F. légataire adj. pertaining to a bequest or a legatee and n. a legatee.]

1. One to whom a legacy is left, a legatee.Also universal (= sole) legator, = F. légataire universel.(a) 1568 Prot. Bk. W. Cumming MS. 90.
To summond all creditouris and legatouris of wmquhill Margret Ros 1612 Edinb. Test. XLVIII. 112 b.
The said Agnes … nominatis the said Thomas … my spous my vniversall executor and legatour(b) c1575 Balfour Pract. 221.
The executouris may be … persewit be the legatoris, for payment of all legacies left to thame be the deid a1633 Hope Major Pract. I. 288.
If any of the arschip goods be left in legacy neither the goods nor pryce therof should be peyit to the legator Ib. 289.
Legatum ad pias causas found to have no priviledge of prelation to the rest of the legators 1630 Brechin Test. IV. 399.
Giff it salhappin my … sovmes of mone restand to me the tyme of my deceis to becum … not soluendo, I ordane my legatoris … to conforme thameselffis thairto 1642 Aberd. Council Lett. II 309.
John Jewsie will do all dewtie agane Witsonday nixt as he dois to any legator quhatsumever c1705 Nimmo Narr. 101.
Some money left by a good woman to twenty two legators 1687 S. Ronaldshay 115.
My eldest son … to be my only executor and universall legator and intromitter with my haill goods(c) 1574 Edinb. Test. III. 128 b.
My … spous quhome I haif maid the onlie intromettour legatur & disponer of all my gudis(d) 1683 Decis. Lords F. 29.
Greigstoun, who … claimed right to the said bond as executor and legatar by the daughter 1684 Ib. 63.
The saids legatars were found lyable for the principal sum

2. A papal legate, an envoy or plenipotentiary from the Pope. = Legat n. 1. 1622-6 Bisset II. 433/13.
In this paip Ewgene … his tyme Eneas Silvius wes send be him as his legatoor or ambassador in Scotland