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

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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Securit(i)e, -ity(e, n. Also: securitee, securyté, securittie, securytie, securetie, -ety(e, secwretie, securatie, secuiritie, -etie, seccurité, sekuiraté, sekeerity. [Late ME and e.m.E. securite (1432-50), -itee (1450), -ity(1555), -itie (1575-85), F. sécurité (late 12th c. in Larousse), L. sēcūritās, f. sēcūrus free from care.]

1. The condition of being secure or protected from danger; safety. b. The provision or assurance of safety.(a) c1400 Troy-bk. ii 322.
And the cauteles shall sekyrly thrught thame that woll exponed be Of thar ryght gret securyte [L. securitatis cautele firmiter exponentur] 1488 Acts II 210/1.
At his [sc. the king's] maist noble persone be at all tymes in honour securite & fredome 1533 Boece 204.
Crudelite apoun Romanis was vsit. In na girth nor hallowit place was securite, howbeit thai socht refuge 1580 Inverness Rec. I 287.
Thairfor vnto the tyme that the said deidlie feid war recunsalit that he culd nocht haiff securitie of his lyff … onles [etc.] 1587 Reg. Privy C. IV 168.
Giff the Quene of England culd not persave hir awin securitie untaking his majesteis moderis lyff c1590 Fowler II 104/10.
Securetie 1596 Dalr. I 31/3.
Heir lykwyse is ane hauin of gret securitie 1596 Dalr. I 104/2.
That thay depend nocht vpon the securitie of ony tounis quhairthrow thay may lang … frome thair waipounis ly 1598 Reg. Privy C. V 468.
And for bettir securitie for eschewing of the danger of transport of enimies … that thair salbe ane charge gevin to … destroy the haill lumefaldis and birlingis in the saidis boundis 1614 Melrose P. 186.
Thocht it [sc. the castle] be ane ornament for the towne of Kirkwall, and may be esteemed ane place of refuge and securitie for the holl cuntrie in tyme of forrane invasions [etc.] 1638 Nat. Covenant in Facs. Nat. MSS III xcvii.
Not only the princelie autharitie of his maiesties royall discent hath beene … maintained, but also the peoples securitie … preserved 1666 Wemyss Corr. 132.
The magistratts may putt their inhabitants in a postur for the security of their burghes ?c1675 J. Gordon Hist. I 9.
He … was pulld so rudly … that he was lycke to have fallne backwards. Nor was he in more securitye, having gottne to the topp of the staires; for the door he did fynde shutt(b) a1578 Pitsc. I 22/6.
That thing quhilk micht redound to baith thair weilfairis and secuiretie contraire vtheris that haitit thame baith as ane ?1615 Lett. & St. P. Jas. VI 251.
That I could hef no sekuirate bot from his maiestie(c) 1692 Pitcairne Assembly ii iii (1752) 24.
I jeedge it guid, and for sekeerity of the Protestant religion, that nae keerate get leave to set his fitt within this biggingb. 1696 Acts X 9/1.
The Committee for the Security of the Kingdom to consist of nine of each state

2. Freedom from anxiety or care; a feeling of safety or immunity from danger; freq., misguided or deluded feeling of safety, complacency. a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 126 (Asl.).
Thus mycht men leif in gret securite And loif thair God ay hertlie fra the splene a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 1321 (Asl.).
Slomerand in syn we dreme securite [Harl. securitee] 1490 Irland Mir. III 79/26.
Thus the ministracioun of thir haly sacramentis is grauntit to man for be that is causit mar luf fauor and securite betuix men 1562-3 Winȝet I 107/15.
Persuade ȝe nocht heirby to mony vngodlie proud præsumptioun, and vnsuir securitie of conscience? 1558-66 Knox II 59.
The small victorie that was gottin, putt baith the Ynglis and Scottis in ower greit securitie, as the ischew declaird 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 43/7.
Conscience … becumd sencelesse of sinne throuch sleiping in a cairlesse securitie 1605-6 Welsh Forty-eight Serm. 317.
The saints of God will … oft times … fall sound asleep, and lie over in security for awhile 1605-6 Welsh Forty-eight Serm. 327. 1638 Henderson Serm. 66.
These many years past ye haue lien in security, and ye haue made a covenant with hell

3. Reinforcement or confirmation of the binding nature of a contract or the like; the protection thus assured. 1482 Bamff Chart. 32.
For the guid of the said contrak and securite of the samyn, batht the said parteis sal refurme and mak sicker 1490 Irland Mir. I 134/34.
‘Dreid noucht’ said the angell … ‘in the promys is werray securite, nouthire doubilnes na falshede’ 1491 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I 328.
And for the mar securite batht the parteis forsaid has procurit the seill of the forsaid Alexander Irwyn … to be affixit interchangeabilly to thir presentis c1515 Asl. MS I 247/21.
Fulgencius … fled to the Scottis … and left his twa sonnis in ostage for the mar securite 1497 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 611.
That nochtwithstanding the said Robert hes infeft me heretablie in fourti schillingis worth of his landis … his charter mad to me thairupone mare fully purportis in the securite of the payment of the sovme of [etc.] 1506 Glasgow Dioc. Reg. II 163.
And for the mare securite has geifin my bodely aith 1520 Thanes of Cawdor 138.
For the mayr securyte and keippyn of al poyntis … I … hais suorn apon the mes buik 1533 Dunferm. Reg. Ct. 101.
The said balle to … rasaw thaim vnder the securite of the saidis souerteis 1539 Aberd. B. Rec. I 160.
At your maiestie pleysse rattefy and afferme the saying ye promest ws … that we hef securite in your bukis thairof 1550 Reg. Cupar A. II 242.
We [Donald Campbell, abbot] … for thair securite has delyuerit thame the copy of the common sele 1577 Prot. Bk. G. Fyiff 13.
That this obligatioun … be alterit … for the effauld securitie of the said Johnn Middiltoun a1578 Pitsc. II 8/5.
For the mair securetie [they] intercheingit the gret seallis of Ingland and Scotland 1690 Strathendrick 58.
And for the more securatie, We are content and consent thir presents be insert and registrate in the books of councill

4. a. Confidence or certainty of gaining some desired objective; const. of the objective. 1615 Lett. & St. P. Jas. VI 258.
The casting of this ordour of myne hes pute me in ane greit securittie of my estait

b. Removal of doubt, establishment of certainty. c1490 Irland Asl. MS 39/11.
& thi prelat be present ask him lewe for the mair securite 1490 Irland Mir. II 148/30.
I will proced ferrar in this mater and to mar subtilite and securite

c. Certainty or determinateness in music. c1550-c1580 Art of Music 1.
Music mensurall … is of augmentatioun and diminuitiown, mud, tym & prolatioun the perfyt securitie and ewident distinction, of all essenciall nottis, mesuris and pausis. Quhairthrow the quantatie and valur of ewerie figur … is manifest

5. (Legally binding) assurance or guarantee that some action will be taken, some payment made or some condition maintained. Also (to lend or lie out as a loan, etc.) upon securite, upon consideration of a warranty of this sort or the penalties it exacts in case of breach. b. An instance of this, a contract which provides such an assurance, a guarantee or warranty; also, a document containing such a contract or guarantee. 1382 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I 137.]
[Ipsum … compellatis ad prestandum vobis securitatem sufficientem quod idem episcopus et terre sue … cum incolis … erunt indempnes de ipso(1) 1558-66 Knox II 54.
Ye shall answer that thei … shalbe reddy to delyver in hostages for securitie of our promisses, and part of contract, thei offering and macking securitie for thair part by the quenes majesties subscriptioun and great sealle 1576 Reg. Privy C. II 539.
To command … the saidis Erllis of Ergyle and Atholl that thay … leif off frome all forder rasing of troubill … and to subscrive and returne the forme of securitie to be presentit to thame thairupoun to indure unto the tent day of December 1689 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII 538.
They allow the petitioner to liver the saids goods in the weighhous under the collectors securitie(2) 1514 Red Bk. Grandtully I 47.
Takand securité for the payment of xxv s. of the Martymes maill of the saidis landis last bypast 1587 Edinb. B. Rec. IV 492.
To obtene sic guid security for repaying thairof as thai can get, specially that the security be had vpoun the burrowes 1610 Conv. Burghs II 300 (see b sing. below). 1630 Aberd. Council Lett. I 318.
We sall then give order for receaving these moneyes … and to give yow all just satisfaction in securitie for your liberation thairof a1633 Hope Major Pract. I 223.
Quher the teyndis ar not coft, the heritors … shal … pey the valued bolls to the titular and give secuirtie for the samen 1638 Dumbarton B. Rec. 56.
And to mak securitie for the payment of the pryces thairof 1651 Kingarth Par. Rec. 29.
That securitie may be taken of her for satisfying the injunctiones of the Session of Kilbryd(3) 1498 Acta Conc. II 182.
Anent the securite of the freithing of the sade Jhone of the annuale before expremyt 1498 Acta Conc. II 283. 1536 Red Bk. Grandtully I 181*.
I command … that ȝe … tak securite of tua pennyis avin to our souerane Lorde for duplin of the blanche of the said barony and landis 1612 Orkney & Shetl. Ct. Bk. (ed.) 18.
The said James to give hir sufficient heretabill securitie of the said twa merk land 1681 Decis. Lords F. 2.
The disposition of his hail moveables for security of the rent for the years to come(4) 1511–12 Wemyss Chart. 136.
The said lord sall mak securyte to the said Schir Dauid by thar indentouris as thai sall aggre be land or borowis or vder persouns bund with him 1640 Aberd. Council Lett. II 157.
To give band or securitie to the said lenors to repayment thairof and annuelrent for the samyn(5) 1499–1500 Acta Conc. II 355.
The sade Thomas … sal mak sikkir securite hereapoun 1583 Perth B. Ct. 30 April.
To mak all vther securitie nidfull heiron 1657 Rothesay B. Rec. 16.
Ay and quhill the soume … borrouit … ware compleitly payit to him … conforme to the said heretabill securety grantit thairupone in all pointes 1676 Lanark B. Rec. 202.
To borrow the three thousand marks … upon band without granteing any reall security upon lands(6) 1482–3 Acts XII 32/1.
The lordis … sal … gif lettrez of securite … that he sal neuir sustene dampnage [etc.] 1536 Prot. Bk. Thomas Johnsoun 20.
This … contract … [is] to mak sekir securite … that he bruk not the half landis of Nethir Twede 1562 Peebles B. Rec. I 282.
That the said communite [sc. of Peebles] haif sic securite as thai will devise of the said James Gledstanis … that we sall never be molestit nor trublit in tymes cuming 1570–2 Facs. Nat. MSS III lxii.
These persouns shall promeis and mak full securetye … that … this realme shall continew in gude nychtbourheade … with England 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. ii 18b.(7) 1587 Reg. Privy C. IV 224.
Certane personis [who] … best mycht len upoun securitie the sowme of ane thousand merkis to his majestie 1630 Aberd. Council Lett. I 311.
In cais these moneyes ly upoun bandis or any other moveabill securitieb. sing. 1585–6 Waus Corr. 345.
I am assurit ye knaw … quhat vnressonable speichis the lard of Garleis spak … and quhow he suld vse Robert Mvlighame in our dispyt quhilk is the speciall caus of seiking of remeid as ve do, quhairfra ve sall nocht ceis wythout ve haif ane farder securytie nor fair generallis 1586 Reg. Privy C. IV 85.
At the outrynning of the quhilk tak scho suld be peacablie possest thairin … as the securitie and appunctuament … proportis 1592 Mining Rec. 65.
That his gracis subjectis micht hawe a securitie to tak thair hewis 1607 Reg. Privy C. VII 341.
[The Marquis of Huntly] cravis a securitie to be maid to him of the Ilis of Ust, Eg, Canna, Rume, Barra, [etc.] … with all the rest of the North Ilis, except the Sky and the Lewis 1610 Conv. Burghs II 300.
To intreat with my lord Makinzie anent ane sufficient securitie to be maid be him to the burrowis for pecebell fisching in the Lewis 1614 Denmylne MSS in Highland P. III 149.
By his dilligence in dealing for a sufficient securitie to thame of his maiesties landes in the yll of Yla 1665 M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. II 411.
Till such time that he grant her a better security, she cannot be holden to obtemper his charge 1673 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Deeds I 352.
Seweral of my kists … quhair my wryts and securitie was in keipingpl. 1498 Acta Conc. II 195.
That the sade Wilyeame … sall nocht mak … stop thareto bot sal mak procuratowris or uther securyteis as men of understanding can devise but fraud or gile 1570 Leslie 296.
Her majestie … obteinit all kinde of securiteis neidfull apoun hir duarie of France 1581 Acts III 267/2.
Becaus the said dame Margarettis securiteis … hitthertofoir haue not bene perfytit 1596 Milne-Home MSS 61.
That all thingis cum to the profeit of the air of his intertenement and renewing of his mewable secwreties 1613 Denmylne MSS in Highland P. III 132.
M^csoirll mon be heir in persoun anent the perfyteing of his securities 1620 Aberd. Council Lett. I 179.
[I] sall … delyver to the said reverend father the haill giftis and seccuriteis maid to me 1627 Misc. Hist. Soc. I 93.
And for the nott of the Irische landis, it salbe sent with the securities quhen thay go to Irland 1631 Justiciary Cases I 152.
Writtis euidentis bandis obligationes and utheris securiteis 1639 Acts V 613/1.
Act anent those who subscrives and ratifies securities and makis faith and thairefter comis in the contrair thairof 1650 Glasgow Trades House 288.
For ane pairtchment skine to wryte the hous securiteis on 1688 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII 285.
The haill papers and securities 1699 Fountainhall Decis. II 62.
Sundry of the debts were innovate by taking new corroborative securities to the said Margaret Marjorybanks

c. To become or be in, securite for, to act or serve as surety for, to be in pledge for, something. 1488 Acts II 210/2.
How the lordis … sall haf … hertty forgevinnys & thar persons to be in securite … for ony displessour done to the kingis hienes 1550 Cupar B. Rec. 6 May.
Thomas Spens become securite to Allexander Rankelor for the arestment maid on certane mony