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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†UNLAW, n., v. Also ¶unla-; onlaw. Sc. form and usages:

I. n. 1. A fine, penalty.Sc. 1701 Foulis Acct. Bk. (S.H.S.) 290:
Absolving me from the unlaw for absence from ane assyze.Slg. 1706 Trans. Slg. Nat. Hist. Soc. (1925) 39:
The tread for his maniefast contemp and disobedience fins him in doubell onlaw.Sc. 1732 J. Louthian Form of Process 273:
Fines, Amerciaments, or Unlaws inflicted upon Offenders.

Adj. phr. not worth the King's unlaw, applied to a pauper or destitute person esp. as a means of challenging his reliability as a witness.Ayr. 1722 Ayr Presb. Reg. MS. (8 Aug.):
Bonitoun objected against John McLewnan aledging he is not worth the Kings unlaw.Bte. 1723 Session Bk. Rothesay (1931) 376:
As to Catherine Spence he only objects she is not worth the King's unlaw.Sc. 1762 Session Papers, Cutlar v. M'Clellan (10 Jan.) 20:
She is a Poor Woman, supported only upon his and the Charity of her Neighbours, and therefore cannot be received as not worth the King's Unlaw.

II. v. tr. and absol. To fine, with in of the penalty imposed. Pa.p. unlawed, ¶unlaid (cf. Inlaid).Rxb. 1702 Stitchill Ct. Bk. (S.H.S.) 147:
They and ilk ane of them ought and should be unlaid and amerciat conform to the said Acts of Parliament.Sc. 1708 Rights & Liberties Commons Gt. Brit. (Pamphlet) 5:
He may (like the Sheriff) unlaw for Bloodwits in Fifty Pound Scotch.Sc. 1738 Records Conv. Burghs VI. 17:
The convention fyne and unlaw the burghs following.