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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

WRIT, n. Also †writt, †wreat; †vrit. †vret. Sc. forms and usages. [rɪt; I.Sc. wrɛt]

‡1. Writing, hand-writing (I.Sc. 1974); a piece of writing, anything written. Rare or obs. in Eng. Now more usu. expressed in Sc. by Write, n., q.v. Comb. writ-hand, handwriting, script; phr. haun o' writ, id.Rs. 1707 W. MacGill Old Ross-shire (1909) I. 278:
A wreat laitly com to my hand.Sc. 1709 Compend of Securities Pref. 5:
Amongst these Solemnities requisite in Law, the most usual, necessar, suitable and ordinary is that of Writ Chirographus, Hand Writing.Sc. 1712 Atholl MSS. (27 Nov.):
I beg your graces pardon for borrowing anothers hand my own writ being ill to read.Sc. 1717 S.C. Misc. (1841) 230:
A short Memorial thereupon, and another Memorial on large parishes, both in writt.Sc. 1749 Morison Decisions 16814:
A variety of writs in the small matters in which he was in use to deal.s.Sc. 1837 Wilson's Tales of the Borders III. 80:
Havena ye Sir John's haun o' vrit for the promise?Ags. 1888 Barrie Auld Licht Idylls ii.:
Unless you could write “writ-hand,” you could not compose a letter without the schoolmaster's assistance.ne.Sc. 1893 W. Gregor Notes to Dunbar's Wks. (S.T.S.) III. 276:
The vratch o' a vricht vrait the vret a' vrang.Lnk. 1951 G. Rae Howe o' Braefoot 65:
Here's twae letters for ye: yin in a lassie's haun o' writ.

2. A formal or legal document or writing, a deed, with more gen. application than in Eng., where it is now usu. restricted to written orders of a court (Sc. 1946 A. D. Gibb Legal Terms 95).Sc. 1712 Morison Decisions 16976:
Any particular writ, as bills of exchange, precepts, receipts betwixt master and tenants, receipts of Cess, Excise, and the like duties.Sc. 1722 W. Forbes Institutes I. ii. 176:
No Writ of Importance is sustained, except it be not only signed before two designed Witnesses, but also subscribed by the Witnesses.Sc. 1765 Caled. Mercury (6 May) 216:
The progress of writs, with the articles of roup, and rental, will be seen in the hands of Alexander Orme, Writer to the Signet.Ayr. 1833 J. Kennedy G. Chalmers 124:
Law vrits, an' aul acts o' parliament.Sc. 1891 J. Craigie Conveyancing 148:
Among the writs which the Act makes it incompetent to grant are — (1) charters and writs of resignation; (2) charters and writs of confirmation.Sc. 1927 Gloag & Henderson Intro. Law Scot. 94:
In contrast of proof prout de jure is proof by writ or oath. The proof is limited to the writ of the defender . . . Certain writs used in ordinary business — in re mercatoria — are sufficiently authenticated by the signature of the granter.