A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1549-1649
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Demit, v. Also: demitt. [e.m.E. (1529), var. of Dimit v.]
1. tr. To give over, resign (an office, right, or possession).1549 Rec. Earld. Orkney 237.
The quhilk [heirs] al and sindri demit [the lands] bot the said William Yenstra 1554 Acts II. 604/1.
The said noble prince … is content to demit and ourgiff his office of tutorie 1563 Bk. Univ. Kirk I. 42.
The paroshineris … desired … that Mr Iohn Spottiswood … demitt the said parsonage 1572-5 Diurnal of Occurrents 118.
The quenis majestie demittit … the auctoritie and government of the realme in fauouris of the prince 1587 Antiq. Aberd. & B. II. 437.
For us … to resigne, renunce, … ourgive and demitt frae ws and our successouris all … the landis [etc.] 1602 Elgin Rec. II. 106.
The master of the Grammar Schole promeist to delyver the key of the chalmer on Sattirday quhen he demittit the schole 1641 Baillie I. 361.
Upon the fear of this evill, he offered to demitt his place
2. a. To divorce.1562-3 Winȝet I. 109/19.
St. Paull … geuis ane expres command to the innocent woman demittand hir husband, to remane vnmariit
b. To send away; to allow to depart.a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI. 102.
Sum … thoght gude to demitt him ather to the Duke of Alva … , or to send him to the Conservator a1597-1617 Ib. 168.
Thairefter he demittit thame frielie to pas quhair they list 1604 Criminal Trials II. ii. 429.
He … thaireftir convoyit thame to the toun of Kinghorne, quhair he demittit the saidis Mr Alexander Levingtoun and Robert Guthrie 1649 Guthry Mem. (1702) 12.
Mr John was demitted, and Balmerino sent prisoner to the castle of Edinburgh 1649 Ib. 31.
The ministers were demitted for that time
