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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

PACTION, n., v. Also pactione. packshon. Rare and obs. in Eng.

I. n. 1. An agreement, bargain, an understanding (Sc. 1818 Sawers, Sc. 1946 A. D. Gibb Legal Terms 62); specif. in Sc. Law, an unofficial agreement as distinct from a legally binding contract (Sc. 1838 W. Bell Dict. Law Scot. 694). Derivs.: pactional, adj., of the nature of or pertaining to a pact or agreement; pactionally, adv., by means of a compact or agreement.Lnk. 1709 Minutes J.P.s (S.H.S.) 66:
As to the pretence of Walter Carmichaell having right to the grass by pactione from Baillie Howesone . . . John Hutchisone answered that albeit paction had been betwixt them yett it cannot militat against the said John Hutchisone.Sc. 1726 E. Erskine Works (1871) I. 126:
In a way of pactional debt.Sc. 1754 Erskine Principles i. vi. § 25:
The provisions that the wife is entitled to, either by law or by paction.Sc. 1776 D. Herd Sc. Songs II. 159:
They made a paction'tween them twa.Sc. 1819 Scott L. Montrose xiii.:
“And my guerdon is to be life and liberty?” said the Child of the Mist. “Such is our paction,” replied the Campbell.Mry. 1851 Lintie o' Moray 25:
And sair I did repent the paction, And wondered sair at my daft action.Sc. 1884 Law Reports 9. App. Cases 341:
An estate . . . which was being pactionally secured to the issue of the marriage into which she was entering.Sc. 1887 Scots Mag. (Dec.) 77:
It is directed against what are called Simoniacal Practices, i.e., all unlawful pactions made by, or on behalf of ministers, in order to secure appointments to vacant parishes.Fif. 1897 S. Tytler Witch-Wife v.:
The truth was, they longed for the conclusion of the paction.Sc. 1927 Gloag & Henderson Intro. Law Scot. 150:
In a holding a provision for penal or pactional rent, i.e., for payment of a fixed sum as liquidate damages for any breach of the conditions of the lease.Abd. 1929 Abd. Wkly. Jnl. (3 Jan.) 6:
Gin that wis a' he hid tae compleen aboot, Hilly, I wid lat 'im sit gin he made ony sic paction.

2. Collusion, trickery, fraud.Sc. 1702 Analecta Scot. (Maidment 1834) I. 117:
As to the Second Sight, you may shortly gett ane accompt from my son what my judgement of it is . . . several persons hes it, that is free of paction, yea, and are found to be pious.

II. v. To come to an agreement with, to enter into a compact.Dmf. 1717 W. McDowall Hist. Dumfries (1873) 325:
We find the Dean seizing a daring Annandale man, because he “pactioned for the pryce” of several bundles of lint.Lnk. a.1779 D. Graham Writings (1883) II. 40:
Did not I packshon wi' you for the bried o' my mither's back and the length o' her carkage?Ayr. 1824 A. Crawford Tales Grandmother 283:
You pactioned to meet the Enemy of mankind on the key-stone of the bridge of Ayr.Ayr. a.1839 Galt Demon Destiny 27:
When they had paction'd to proceed together.