Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1703-1751, 1869-1877
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†TRILAPSE, adj., n. Also trelapse, treelaps.
I. adj. Of an offence against morals or church discipline: occurring or repeated for the third time.Gall. 1705–21 Session Bk. Minnigaff (1939) 159, 380:
The Session, considering this to be a trelaps fornication, . . . In order to receive his sentance for his treelaps fornication.
II. n. A third offence against church discipline, esp. in regard to fornication. Hence trilapser, one guilty of this. Hist.Wgt. 1703 Session Bk. Glasserton MS. (19 Dec.):
To appear before this congregation in the habit of sackcloath, she being guilty of a trelapse into fornication.Sc. 1709 W. Steuart Collections iii xi. § 11:
Fornicators are to make profession of their repentance three several Sabbaths; who are guilty of a relapse therein, six Sabbaths; who are guilty of a trilapse, twenty-six Sabbaths.Kcd. 1751 G. A. Henderson Kirk of St Ternan (1962) 129:
John Welsh guilty of Trilapse in fornication.Ayr. 1869 Maybole West Ch. Session Rec. MS. (10 Jan.):
This being a case of trilapse for A. D., her case was sent up to the Presbytery.Abd. 1877 W. Alexander Rural Life 201:
Concerning a woman who was a “trelapser”.
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"Trilapse adj., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Mar 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/trilapse>
