Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1844-1878, 1932
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SILENCE, n. In Sc. Law phr.: to put to silence, to interdict a person from putting about an unfounded claim to be marrried to another, gen. in vbl.n. putting to silence, the court action instituted for this purpose, corresponding in Eng. law to a suit of jactitation of marriage.Sc. 1844 Sc. Jurist XVI. 576:
On 10th June 1841, Mr R. obtained decree of putting to silence in an action instituted by him against the present pursuer.Sc. 1878 P. Fraser Husband & Wife II. 1547:
The Pursuer to be free of any marriage with the Defender, and the Defender ought to be put to perpetual silence thereanent in all time coming.Sc. 1932 Encycl. Laws Scot. XIII. 429:
An action of putting to silence to negative a marriage of which there is a fama may be brought by the aggrieved person.
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"Silence n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/silence>
