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

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Deforcement, Deforsment, n. Also: difforsment. [AF. and OF. deforcement, f. deforcer Deforce v.]

1. The crime of forcibly preventing an officer of the law from discharging his duty.(a) 1479 Acta Conc. 38/2.
The deforsment made on Robin Inglis schiref depute of Berwic be George of Hume in the inbringing of our souerain lordis eschete of Patric Humes gudis 1494 Acta Aud. 186/2.
To preiff sufficiently the deforsment contenit in the summondis 1508 Reg. Privy S. I. 247/1.
Of the quhilk deforsment he and ane part of the said personis war convict in the last justice are 1516 Treas. Acc. V. 76.
To David Lowry, deliverit lettres … to poynd for the difforsment committit be Iohne Somervellis man 1531 Carnwath Barony Ct. 68.
Of the quhilk reif & deforsment he brak his wand 1554 Treas. Acc. X. 267.
To Peter Craik, officer, for remaneing in Edinburght xv dais to preif the deforsment upoune the laird of Quhietfuird(b) 1509 Reg. Privy S. I. 278/1.
A remitt … to James Traill [etc.] … for all actioun and crime … , evyn be way of deforcement, refe, or utherwayes 1543 Ex. Processes (Reg. H.) No. ii. (Robertson v. Campbell).
The said Archibald wes present thair siclik, becaus he is ballie & to stop deforcement 1569 Reg. Privy C. II. 21.
Eftir he had committit aucht sindry deforcementis Ib. 29.
He … regairdit nocht how oft he committit deforcementis 1581 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 205.
Incais ony deforcement be maid to the saidis officiaris in poinding or vairding for the said dewtie 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 137.
The maker of the deforcement sall be summoned incontinent 1665 Stitchill Baron C. 35.
It is statute … that non within this barrony giffe deforcement neither to the barroun officer nor bourlawmen … in tym cumeing 1688 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII. 243.
As ther wes no ryott committed … so there could be no deforcement committed upon the person of the said Robert Paterson

2. Forcible holding of another's property. 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 137.
Gif any man complains … that he is vnjustlie deforced … of sic lands, … the maker of the deforcement sall be summoned

3. The ravishing of a woman. 1533 Bell. Livy I. 127/16.
Aduertising the pepill … of his odius deforsment made on Lucres 1544 Reg. Privy S. III. 100/2.
Gudis … pertenyng to our soverane lady be resoun of escheit, throw deforcement committit be him upoun Cristell Menteith