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

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Solutioun, Sol(l)ucioun, Solution(e, n. Also: solucioune. [ME and e.m.E. solucioun (Wyclif), solution (1526), OF soluciun, MF solution (c1119 and c1360 respectively in Larousse), L. solūtiōn- a loosing, unloosing; solution, explanation.]

1. The action or process of solving (a question or problem). 1375 Barb. i 259.
I leve all the solucioun Till thaim that ar off mar renoun

b. An instance of solving; an answer, explanation, solution (of, to a question, problem, etc.). Also, to give or mak solutioun (to a question).(1) 1490 Irland Mir. II 135/31.
This argument … is inducit … be the subtilite … of the innemy of hell he causis that the men can nocht na way be content of the solucioun and ansuer to it 1490 Irland Mir. II 136/3.
Tharfor thou lector and auditor of this writ … tak … gret tent to the solucioun … of this argument 1490 Irland Mir. III 143/5.
That ȝe conuins ȝou nocht for the fyrst argumentis that sall appeir of gret strenth bot heir the argumentis and ressounis in the contrar and the sollucioun of the fyrst ressounis 1549 Compl. 143/7.
The solutione of this questione requiris nocht ane allogoric expositione nor ȝit ane glose be rason that the text … is nocht obscure c1530-40 Stewart in Maitl. F. 354/34.
Quhone sall … Scotland In peace … persaveir? … Solutioun you sall haue sufficient Quhone thir bairnys ar baneist frome ȝour king(2) c1552 Lynd. Mon. 5263.
As to thy first questioun, I can mak no solutioun c1552 Lynd. Mon. 5519.
As to that questione I sall mak sone solutione 1560 Rolland Seven S. 8623.
Nor ȝit thair was na greit obscure questioun, Bot he thairto wald giue solutioun

2. The action of paying; payment. Also, solutioun of payment.(1) 1478–9 Cal. Doc. IV 415.
Yhoure said clerk in the begynnyng of the said payment of money, tendit till have maid ws solucioune eftir the forme as the money of Inglande had cours within oure realme 1489 Acts II 222/2.
In falt of solutioun and payment of the annualis 1681 Stair Inst. i xviii § 3.
Payment is the most proper way of loosing obligations, and therefore retaineth the common name of solution(2) 1563–4 Perth B. Ct. 7 (20 Jan.).
The terme assignit to Alexander Balquhennan to preif solutioun of payment of xx^ij bolls beir 1563–4 Perth B. Ct. 26 (15 Feb.).
Comperit the said Johnne and desirit ane terme tobe assint to him to preif solution of payment of the said five pundis