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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Reles(e, -leis, v. Also: -leisse, -leisce, -leas(e; -lais; -lase; -leuis. [ME and e.m.E. relesie(n (1297), -lese(n (c1330), -lesse(n (c1386), -leece (1470–85), -lease (1526), OF relesser (12th c. in OED), -leisser, also -lessier, -laissier, -lassier, varr. of relaschier (mod. F. relâcher), L. relaxāre Relax v.]Chiefly in 16th and 17th c. use. Cf. note to Relesch(e v.¹

1. tr. To give up a right or claim in favour of (till) another party. = Relesch(e v.¹ i. 1379 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 2.
Wete yhe me … haue releissit quytclaymit & for euer mare remittyt till … Mergarete [etc.] … all my rycht clayme persuit chalenge or askyng … to [certain land] 1622-6 Bisset II 159/3.
It wes concluded … that England had renunced and relaised in favouris of the Scottis …, there feautie and homaige quhatsumevir

2. To discharge (a person) from (fra, of) a legal process or obligation; to set free from (out of, also of) suffering, bondage, servitude, etc.With and without const.Cf. Relesch(e v.¹ 4.(1) 1460 Hay Alex. (S.T.S.) 132.
ȝe sall relesit be of all ȝour pyne [of labour] 1568 Anderson Collect. Mary IV ii 52.
To releisse hir grace out of the straite thraldome quhair sche was detenit 1626 Aberd. Council Lett. I 243.
That Jhone Meldrum … be releisit out of ward and put to libertie(b) 1673 Edinb. B. Rec. X 149.
Powar … to imprisone any persone … and relase them at ther pleasure(c) 1607 Reg. Privy C. VIII 16.
Chairgeing thame to pas and relais … William Cranstoun fra the proces of horne led aganis him(2) 1577 Edinb. Test. VI 49b.
Scho releuising him & his of his souerteis for hir(3) 1555 Corr. M. Lorraine 403.
Forsamekill as be that way I may be releisit at the foirsaid bankoureis handis be his [sc. the laird of Fyvie's] creddit amang merchandis of Abirdene 1571 Misc. Bann. C. III 131.
Ordour to be taken for the queenis liberte, and als me to be relesit 1603 Moysie 132.
Finally all releiscit and put to libertie(b) a1578 Pitsc. I 390 h. of ch.
Schir James Hamiltoun releasit agane be the king