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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

INTERCOMMUNE, v. Also -common. Sc. Law term, now only hist., esp. of covenanting times. [ɪntər′kɔmən]

1. intr. To have intercourse, dealings or correspondence with proscribed persons or outlaws (Sc. 1808 Jam.). Gen. in vbl.n., ppl.adj. intercommuning, and deriv. intercommuner, one who does this (Ib.).Sc. 1708 J. Chamberlayne Present State Gt. Brit. (1728) 431:
Re-setters of thieves, or Intercommuners with them . . . are guilty of Felony.Sc. 1816 Scott O. Mortality v.:
My uncle is so alarmed at the pains and penalties denounced by the laws against such as comfort, receive, or consort with intercommuned persons, that he has strictly forbidden all of us to hold any intercourse with them.Sc. 1837 Bell Dict. Law Scot. 517:
Letters of intercommuning were letters from the Scotch Privy Council . . . charging all and sundry the lieges not to reset, supply, or intercommune with the persons thereby denounced; not to furnish them with meat, drink, house, harbour or any other thing useful and comfortable; nor to have intercourse with them by word or writing, or otherwise under pain of being repute art and part in their crimes and dealt with accordingly.Sc. 1847 J. Grant Kirkcaldy of Grange xv.:
Denounced on those who had intercourse with them, as intercommuners with rebels.Kcb. 1895 Crockett Moss Hags xvii.:
The dragoons . . . searched every nook and crevice for intercommuned fugitives.

2. tr. To prohibit from intercourse with others, to ban, to outlaw. Phr. letters of intercommuning, a writ issued by the Privy Council prohibiting any communication with proscribed persons (see 1837 quot. above). Now only hist.Sc. 1702 T. Morer Acct. Scot. 97:
His Enemies . . . thereupon obtained a Vote to make him [Dundee] an intercommon'd Person.Sc. 1709 Records Old Abd. (S.C.) II. 121:
Such who have already married that way [i.e. with papists] to be intercommun'd and debarred from sealling ordinances.Sc. 1714 Memorial to the Queen by the Duke of Athole 2:
One Capt. Simon Frazer, who is a declared Rebel, Intercommuned and Outlawed in your Majesties Kingdom of Scotland.Sc. 1721 R. Wodrow Sufferings I. 394:
These Letters of Intercommuning were the utmost our Managers could go upon Non-compearance.Sc. 1724 G. Burnet Hist. Own Time I. 399:
Great numbers were outlawed: And a writ was issued out, that was indeed legal, but very seldom used, called Intercommoning: Because it made all that harboured such persons . . . to be involved in the same guilt.Mry. 1775 L. Shaw Hist. Moray 309:
Insidious and sanguinary Laws for Fineing, Imprisoning, Intercommuning, Hanging, &c.Sc. 1911 P. H. Brown Hist. Scot. II. 318:
The Scottish form of the “boycott,” known as “Letters of Intercommuning” [1675].