A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Assurance, n. Also: assuraunce, -ans, assure-, assuirance, ashurans; asseura(u)nce; asurence. [ME. assurance, asseurance (Chaucer), OF. assurance, asseurance. Cf. Assoverance.]
1. A guarantee of safety or immunity; a safe-conduct.1385 Rotuli Sc. II. 73/1.
The forsayd lordes are accordit … that speciall trew and assurance sall be twix thaim 1386 Ib. 85/2.
It is accordit … that ferme trewes, abstinance of were, and special assurance sal be bytwix thaym 1456 Hay I. 176/33.
The frendis … tretis the baroun to send his assuraunce, durand for certane dayes, to the knycht Ib. 178/13.
It suld be understandin that asseuraunce suld be hale in it self 1549 Compl. 74/10.
Sum of ȝou remanis in ȝoure auen housis on the Inglis mennis assurance 1552 Treas. Acc. X. 92.
Williame Barry, messinger, send to Elgin and Innernes to proclame ane assurance to the capitanis of the clannis of the hieland to cum to Abirdene c1575 Balfour Pract. 574.
Takand ane assurance with our auld enemies of Ingland, or sittand under the asseurance of theives of Ingland or Scotland 1609 Skene Acts Parl. 23.
Assurance with Englishmen is treason
b. Confidence, security.1569-73 Bann. Memor. 267.
That none … missay the laboureris of the ground, but lat thame in peace exerce thair laboris in all assuirance 1604 Misc. Hist. Soc. II. 247.
The assurans I have of you makis me to employ no uther
2. Certification; guarantee by act or statement.1552 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III. 279.
Quhilk assurance shall be deliuerit to Mr. Duncan Forbes betwix this and Twysday nixt 1558-66 Knox II. 69.
For assurance thairof, he send his awin palȝeounis Ib. 103.
Our Faith, and the assurance of the same a1578 Pitsc. II. 30/6.
The lordis durst nocht come … withtout they had the governouris and the cardinallis assuirance that they sould nocht be trublit
