A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1532-1579
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Defectioun, n. Also: -oune, -on(e. [e.m.E. defection (1552), defeccion (1544), L. dēfectio.]
1. The act or fact of falling away from faith, allegiance, honour, etc. 1532 Acts II. 335/2.
Maist obedient … to oure haly faderis the pape of Rome … without ony manere of smot, violacioune, or defectioune 1558-66 Knox II. 423.
The Courteouris at first semeit nocht a lyttill offendit, that thay sould be as it wer suspectit of defectioun 1571 Acts III. 59/2.
Anent alienationis, … maid and gevin be ony personis … that hes maid defectioun fra the kingis auctorite a1578 Pitsc. I. 105/16.
Braid entreis [sould be] oppinnit … to all kynd of defectioun and iniquitie 1579 Acts III. 174/1.
His … faythfull subiectis quhilkis hes abiddin constantlie but defectioun at his obedience
2. A defect or fault. 1568 Pref. Lyndesay 10.
Besydis the wrang ortographie, … thair is alswa sic defectiones, that sumtymes will want twa, or thre lynes in ane sentence
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"Defectioun n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/defectioun>
