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.
Delatour, -or, n.1 Also: delaitor. [L. dēlātor. Also e.m.E. delator (1598).] An accuser, informer.c1552 Lynd. Mon. 5766.
Oppressouris boith of ryche and puris, Throw delatouris full of dissait 1556 Digest Iusticiary Proc. B. 123.
The quhilk day compeirit Caveris goldsmyth … delaitor of the slauchter of vmquhill Walter Donaldsone 1558-66 Knox I. 81.
No respect nor consideration [being] had what mynd the delatour bayre to the persone delated a1598 Rollocke Lect. Passion 52 (J).
It is manifest, that they were delators of Christ to Pilate 1616 Crim. Trials III. 587.
Ȝe sall go doune quiklie by dissait, and by the toyis of fais accusaris and delatouris 1640 Kirkcaldy Presb. 173.
Cristian Gibb … ordeaned to stand thrie dayes in the joggs … for curseing hir delator befoir the whole congregatioun 1654 Stirling Ant. II. 14.
Gilbert Backster … denyed … singing profane songes and reffered the same to the probatioun of the delatour
