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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.

Executioun, -ucioun, n. Also: execution(e, -ucioune, -ucion(e, -usioun, -usion; exsecutione, -ucion; exequetioun. [ME. execucion (c 1360), -cioun, -sioun, e.m.E. -ution, AF. execucioun, L. execūtio.]

1. Arranging, settling; effective action. 1384 Acts I. 349/1.
That day of redres salbe halden … to tak full radresse and execution of all thinges don betwix thair boundes 1416 Red Bk. Menteith I. 284.
We pray … at yhe mak exsecucion for our deliuerans

2. The action of carryingout, exercising, discharging, or performing a duty, task, office, etc.(a) 1456 Hay I. 66/13.
To se how jurisdictioun and execucioun of law come first to man Ib. 301/12, etc.
Execucioun of that sentence suld be delayit for xxx^ti dayes efter 1466 Acta Aud. 3/2.
The wrangwise occupacion and execucion of the office of balȝery of the landis of the barony of Vchiltre 1490 Irland Mir. 38/17.
The execucioune of this powere he sall schaw in the end of the waurld(b) 1455 Edinb. Chart. 87.
He … sal supple the officiaris in the executioun of justice tharapon quhen euir he be requirit a1500 Henr. Fab. 1582.
Thair lordis and princis quhen that thay se Of justice mak nane executioun 1519 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 81.
Gif ony … beis fundin culpable or failȝeis in executioun of thair office 1568 Pref. Lyndesay 9.
The slaw administratioun of justice, and fer les executioun 1588 Glenartney Doc. (MS.).
As ȝe … will ansuer vpoun ȝowre obedience and dew executioun of ȝour offices(c) 1455 Edinb. Chart. 81.
That he sal … manetene the officiaris and the counsale of the toune in the execusion of justice as said is 1492 Myll Spect. 283/13.
Hir fader … send to hir a nakit sword in taknyng that scho suld do execusioun of justice on hire self

b. To put to executioun, to execute, perform, etc. a1500 Henr. Fab. 1236.
This fals doig pronuncit the sentence. And it till put to executioun, The uolf chargit the scheip [etc.] 1497 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 71.
It is our soueraine lordis will … that this proclamatioun followand be put till executioun 1510 Glasgow Dioc. Reg. II. 391.
Ilk juge suld put his awn sentence till executione 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1120.
Schir Persone, ȝe sall be my commissair, to put this mater till executioun a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. xxi. 85.
[Let us] Put our awin lawis to executioun 1592 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 62.
[The council] fynds it expedient that the act of counsell concerning bairmen be put to executioun aganis Patrik Lyndsay

3. The formal putting into effect of a warrant, brief, decree, or other order.(a) 1428 Liber Melros 519.
The Abbot … thar present to me a brefe of departisoun of the Kyngis chapele, chairgeand me to do execusioun thar apon 1473 Acta Aud. 28/2.
[The king] ordanit the first decrete gevin be the lordis to be put to execucion 1494 Treas. Acc. I. 239.
To Donald Malynne, to pass to Bute to bring the witnes of the execucioun of Schir Iohne of Ilis summondis 1502 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 642.
An breue … of the landis … vnindorsat nor put to dew execusion 1520 Fife Sheriff Ct. 170.
The coppy wes nocht askit at the tyme of the fyrst execucioun of the summondis(b) 1523 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 388.
For the verificatioun and prewyng of his indorsyng and execution of my lordis precept 1552 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 173.
Quhat gudis he salhappin to intromett with as seriand, other poyndit for executioun of decreitis or vtherwys 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 16.
His decreit sal haif redy executioun … without delay or appellation 1574 Conv. Burghs I. 32.
That the letteris … salbe putt to executioun aganis the dissobeyaris 1600 Crim. Trials II. i. 115.
The tyme of the executioun of the summonds and deductioun of the haill proces