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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Prejudice, n. Also: prejudic, -yce, prejudis(e, -ys, -ies, prejedyce, prejedus, prejeduce; prejougice; praejudice; Pregidice. [ME and e.m.E. preiudice (c 1290), prejudice (c 1389), -yse (1483), F. préjudice (13th c. in Littré), L. praejudicium a preceding judgement or decision; late L. and med. L. disadvantage, damage, prejudice.]

1. Detriment, disadvantage, harm, loss caused to a person or body of persons by judgement or action in disregard or infringement of his or their rights or interests.Also, detriment etc. caused in this way to rights, interests, etc.(1) 1391 Acts I 216/2.
Swa that sic contract … make na preiudice no hurtyng to my fornemmyt wife Ib. 217/1. 1415 Reg. Episc. Brechin. I 36.
It is not our will ne our entent to do any preiudice to the kirk of Brechine 1416 Liber Melros 539.
That the saide remowing of thair plvis at oure request sal gener thaim … na preiudice greue na damage in tyme to cum 1438–9 Rec. Earld. Orkney 71. 1445 Reg. Episc. Morav. 219. 1449–50 Glasgow Chart. I ii 28.
We wyll nocht that thai … mak ony mynwsyng preiudice or lattyng to … the mercat 1455 Acts II 42/2.
Ande that the annexacione of thir lordschippis and castellis to the crovne mak na preiudice to … the quenys infeftment that [etc.] 1456 Hay I 201/1.
Bot the lawe of defens of a mannis person cummys of the law of nature, to the quhilk thare is na law of man that may mak prejudice 1460 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 56.
Qwhare in defavyte of suthfast knawlegis preiudice may be generyt to innocent partyse 1469 Echt-Forbes Chart. 65.
Quhar the conceling [of the truth] may gender skaith, prejudice, or hendering to innocens 1481 Peebles B. Rec. I 189.
Thai thocht it wes na preiudice nor hindering … to the thon … that [etc.] 1482 Bk. Carlaverock I 440.
That … it salbe na hurt na preiudice to the said lord c1490 Porteous Noblenes 173/17 (Asl.). 1524 Acts II 289/1.
He dissasentit till all thingis done … at mycht be preiudice to the kingis grace 1555 Peebles B. Rec. I 206.
That the persut of the quenis rycht be na preiudice till his fredome 1560 Rolland Seven S. 8316. 1596 Conv. Burghs I 483.
The preiudice done to fre burrowis in erecting priuatlie of [etc.](2) 1624 Aberd. Council Lett. I 226.
And as for unfriemen regrateris and forstalleris usurping our liberties the greatest preiudice we receave be thame is be the inhabitantis of Frasserburgh 1625 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser I 179.
The præjudice … sustenit be thame … by this new erectit ordour of barronnettis 1659 Old Ross-shire II 46. 1660 Dumfries Council Min. 12 March.
Considering the prejudice the towne sustaine be the inhabitants … detaining of thair children from the grammar schoole 1673 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 286.
They … [to be] made lyable for macking vp any prejudice sustenit … in ther defaults 1673 J.M. Beale Fife Schools 182.
The great prejudice the youth at the schole sustained … through Mr. William Meiklejohn doctor since he entered to his studies of the ministrie 1675 Glasgow B. Rec. III 206. 1678 Edinb. B. Rec. X 357. 1692 Misc. B. Rec. 69.
The great prejudice they [the burgesses of Linlithgow] have by a number of villages … within ther precinct … who wrong ther trade [etc.](3) 1391 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV 163.
Gif ony sic contract be made in preiudice of my saide wife of that at aucht … perteigne til hir 1448 Reg. Episc. Brechin. I 114.
In grit hurt and preiudice of the kyrk off Brechine 1469 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 419.
In preiudice & henderyng of myn heritagis 1489 Acta Conc. I 123/2. 1518 Edinb. B. Rec. I 180. 1568 Q. Mary Facs. Nat. MSS. III lviii. 1597 Bk. Univ. Kirk III 944. 1616 Lett. & St. P. Jas VI 290.
At my Lord Glenkern got no thing don in our preiougice 1622-6 Bisset II 77/25. 1681 Stair Inst. iv l §4 (1832) 762.
That he on no ways make any … alienation of his lands … in prejudice of the complainer 1682 Fountainhall Decis. I 198.
In prejudice of his children their legitime — 1405 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 61 a.
At the said … maling sal noothir byn the said Schir William [and others] … na tyl thayr airis in hurting na in preiudise(4) 1574 Reg. Privy C. II 384.
Walter Turnbull … hes … interprysit to big a mylne … to the greit prejudice of the principall mylne 1577–8 Conv. Burghs I 51.
The careing away of forbodin gudes to the greit hurt and preiudice of his hienes customes 1581 Acts III 211/2.
[That no minister] sett ony fewis [etc.] … to the preiudice of his successoure 1607 Ib. IV 375/2. 1608 St. A. Baxter Bks. 71. 1612 Orkney & Shetl. Ct. Bk. (ed.) 20. 1630 Aberd. Council Lett. I 335.
To the prejudice of his maiestie in the sext pairt of his customes 1635 Fraser-Mackintosh Lett. Two Cent. 35.
Prejedus 1656 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. III 80.
And that they neither doe nor attempt anything to thair prejudice or hindrance 1665 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. II 78.
To the heavy prejudice of the intrant ministers 1676 Moray Synod 164.
Simple ministers are overhailed to make condiscendances, to the great prejudice of the provisione of churches 1682 Edinb. B. Rec. XI 57. (1696) Fountainhall Decis. I 696.
Law will not oblige him to assign to the prejudice of his separate right — 1595 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. I 328.
To subscryve certane injunctionis tending altogidder to his prejudice 1607 Dunferm. B. Rec. II 42.
The sending of the tounnis bairnis to landwart schoollis tendis to the preiudice of the schoolmaster and disgrace of the school 1655 Rothesay B. Rec. 6.
Patrik Campbell … considering himselff not to be of capacitie for collecting of the common dew be reasone of wanting learneing … quhilk be laick therof ware muche to his prejudice abefoir(5) 1456 Hay I 209/16.
Bot as to the King of France he may … us all powar … ryall and imperiale, but prejudice of the empire 1482–3 Acta Conc. II cxiv.
The said Schir John … sal … pay the said some … without prejudice of the richt [of] the said Schir Johne Sandilandis proces 1488–9 Ib. I 114/2.
To halde the said fermez … in ther handis to the said day but preiudice of ony partij 1492 Perth Guildry 124 (15 Feb.).
But preiudice of pertij 1498 Acta Conc. II 175. Ib. 286. 1500 Ib. 413, etc. 1531 Edinb. B. Rec. II 54.
Thai sall lelely and treuly, without feid, fawour, or prejudice of party depone 1554 Ib. 203.
It is aggreit, but preiudice of the act of parliament to be maid thairupoun in tyme cuming, that the sek of wull passand custome sall bring hame ane vnce siluer 1557 Glasgow Dioc. Reg. I 166.
Wyth owt preiudice of quhatsumeuer wedo having entres [etc.] 1561–2 Reg. Privy C. I 198. 1563 Ib. 252.
And that without prejudice of the decreit gevin be the lordis of counsale thairupoun 1585 Acts III 381/2.
Prouiding … the said league be without infringeing or preiudice in onie sort to onie formare league a1650 Row 57.
That the kirk hath power to … decerne upon heresies … without prejudice alwayes of the civill punishment 1646 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. II 783.
But prejudice of ane plak at the pynt for the excyse 1683 Martine Reliq. Divi Andreae 77. Ib. 124. — 1438 Reg. St. A. 430.
That I mycht haf … a favorabill deliverance but preiudice a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 1485 (Asl.).
Rathlie he wald wprys Pennance to preif without preiudys(6) 1461 Newburgh B. Ct. 6 a.
Quhatsumeuer Davy Andersone dis vyth his land … that it turne the forsayd Ihone Phylp to na preiudyce of his aune 1466 Acta Aud. 5/2. 1474 Ib. 35/2. 1479 Acta Conc. I 42/2. 1482–3 Ib. II cvii, cxv, etc. 1489 Charter (Reg. H.) 545 a.
That this forsaid intrusione callit sessing turne me na my aieris to na preuidice in tyme to cum 1490 Dunferm. B. Rec. I 21. 1522–3 Edinb. B. Rec. I 212. 1524 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I 389.
Quhat euir war done in the doume of propyrte gewin … suld twrn hyme to na preiudice tuiching his allegit rycht 1543 Acts II 433/1.(7) 1390 Acts I 217/1.
Oucht to do … that suld ryn ony man in preiudice of thair heritage attour the commone lauch 1393 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 27.
The qwhylke oysyt it wald ryn vs to preiedyce 1398 Acts I 212/1.
That it ryn nocht to the clergy in preiudice in tyme tocum 1461 Aberd. B. Rec. I 22.
Quharthroch it may ryn to hendryng or preiudice to the toune 1528 Wemys of Bogie 57.
Evynly to divyde it [sc. the loss] … swa that it inryn nowthir of the partis to prejudice(8) 1522 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 66.
That na mettaris to be tholit to meit for gret preiudice that is understand to the inquest … bot geiff it be ane freman 1612 Edinb. B. Rec. VI 92.
Besyde the hyndare and prejudice of his awin … effayres 1632 Aberd. Council Lett. I 343.
And we being sensible of our awin prejudice have raised ane suspensioun of the said act 1638 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 131.
But seing there are here two prejudices in hand, ane to the General Assembly and other personall to the man, the lateis prejudice must be served 1640 Aberd. Council Lett. II 260.
We stand in neid to have ane heir iff we war wise for irrecuverable preiudices is ploting against us 1641 Glasgow Hammermen 59.
The great prejudice to thair calling be sum of merchant rank of this burt 1660 Laing MSS. I 279.
For trowly I never conceaved any prejudis to mee by [etc.] 1661 Glasgow B. Rec. II 464.
The exacting the laidle dewes of [etc.] … is ane maine caus of great prejudice to the toune 1661 Aberd. Council Lett. IV 154. 1692 Acts Sederunt ii 196.
For preventing the prejudice and inconveniency befalling to pupills 1696 Fountainhall Decis. I 696.
And that the lords in such a case would ordain the annualrenter to assign where he has no prejudice

b. gen. Injury, damage, hurt, loss, impairment, disadvantage.(1) 1456 Hay I 134/24.
And coud nane othir way escape fra the thef, but prejudice of his awin lyf, bot to sla him Ib. 176/20.
That all athe … suld be treuly kepit, sa that it war possible, and nocht aganis the faith na in prejudice of the saule behufe Ib. 178/15.
For the law sais that a condicioun ordanyt for gude to the party suld nocht turne in prejudice of evill 1518 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 46.
That the said Robert … sall leuiff the said tenementis … als gud … as he fand the samen … bot geiff war or sudand fyr happyn, be the quilk na prejudice be fund 1522 Ib. 66. a1561 Norvell Meroure 10 a.
In dying so he raised his fors agane To deathes preiudice and meikle pane 1570 Leslie 25.
For gif thay … renounce thair obedience … the prejudice maie be greit … that aftintymes insuithe 1596 in Melvill 511.
Prejudies 1631 Justiciary Cases I 157.
Eftir hir confronting with the pairteis to quhas preiudice [ed. preuidice] scho deponet 1632 Aberd. Council Lett. I 372.
To the effect the lords sould know the equitie of your ressounes in refuising to accept the legacie with some preiudice 1638 Protestation of General Assembly 18 Dec.
Groaning under the weariness and prejudice of longsome attendance 1638 Nat. Covenant in Facs. Nat. MSS. III xcvii.
In so farre as they tend … to the prejudice and hinder of the execution of the acts of parlament against papists 1640 Proceedings of the Commissioners from the Parliament of Scotland 67.
The great prejudices of this kirk and kingdom by … delayes of the progresse of the parliament 1646 Glasgow B. Rec. II 97.
For preventing of all disorderlie courses, vther mistackis and prejudices quhatsomever that … may … aryse 1654 Elgin Rec. I 296.
Vnles they shew them selues to be able to liue without prejudice to their nighbours a1658 Durham Commandments 244.
By giving advice to his prejudice 1665 Laing MSS. I 345.
Prejudic 1670 Aberd. Council Lett. V 71.
The misor of Camfer is maid use of in Dort to the prejudice of the merchants above 5 per centum 1687 New Mills Manuf. 142.
Each of the said persones sall give ther advyse … for the advantage of the imploy and shall not know of any prejeduce done to the same 1689 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIV 773.
The apprysers estimatts his prejudice to threttie bolls aites a 1714 Cromarty Corr. II 472.
Maugre all the prejudice of warr(2) 1622 Reg. Privy C. XIII 28.
The grite hurt and prejudice that the commounweele sustenit by the abuse and frequent taking of the infective weade callit tabacco 1624 Hist. Carnegies I 90.
Try this misluck, for I got preiudice thairby 1653 Scotland & the Commonwealth 141.
I am sorrie your Lolands receive such prejudice from those towards their feilds, but for restoring of these cows which are taken away I must freely declare [etc.] 1667 Cochran-Patrick Coinage II 155.
To … consider of the value of those dollors … and to consider what prejudice the countrey sustaines by the importation thairof 1671 Haddington B. Rec. (Robb) 8 Nov.
The counsall haveing taken to thair consideration the prejudice sustenit throw thair allowance ȝeirlie to the taksmen of the mylnes of severall ly dayes 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. i i §1 (1699) 2.
That prejudice, and damnage, which arises from the unlawful means used by sorcerers

c. Physical harm, damage or injury. 1456 Hay II 126/16.
And he … cum before his houre, he sall indispone his stomak and turne him to grete scathe and prejudice 1667 Lamont Diary 203.
Ther was ane English vessell abowt the May that receaved preiudice by the violence of the storme 1669 Ib. 213.
A great tempest of wynd, raine, and thunder, which occasioned great preiudice both be sea and land 1678 Moray Synod 171.
Ther was a doore struck thorrow the wall of the church … to the prejudice of the church 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. i xi §6 (1699) 61.
If the prejudice be done by the horses foremost feet, then the rider shall be forc'd to satisfy for the prejudice done 1683 Edinb. City Archives Letters Vol. II (17).
You cannot imagine what prejudice yesterdays wind hes done here 1689 Siege Castle Edinb. 55.
It [a bomb] broke beside him, but he sustained no more prejudice by it save [etc.]

d. transf. Sexual interference. 1670 Kingarth Par. Rec. 62.
Patrick … still denys the scandal but only that he somtyms playd with her but without any purpose of doing her any prejudice 1704 Rothesay Par. Rec. 185.
He … did stretch himselfe beside her in the bed, but [she] still asserted that he did not any prejudice to her

2. a. ? Hostility or grudge conceived by one person against another. a1500 Rauf C. 497.
It micht be preifit preiudice bot gif thow suld compeir [etc.] a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 1306.
Had ony preiudice apperit in the partyce, It had bene grete perell

b. A preconceived judgement or opinion; a preconceived hostility towards another. 1562-3 Winȝet II 33/20.
Pestilent errouris, quhilkis … thow may noth parsaue, quhilis thou is led be the præiudice of the auld doctrine 1676 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 237.
They having conceived ane deidlie prejudice against me in referrence to my being served as neirest and laufull air to my predicessor