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.
Dettour, n. Also: det(t)oure, dettur, -or, -ar, -er; datur, deatter; debtour, -er. [ME. dettour, -or, -ur (a 1225), e.m.E. debter (16th c.), OF. det(t)our, -ur, -or, L. dēbitor.] One who is indebted, or under an obligation, to another; one who assumes the legal responsibility for a debt or obligation.(a) a1400 Leg. S. xxvi. 768.
Na man wil for me Borcht, na detoure nothir be 14.. Acts I. 10/2.
Gif he nytis the dett, than the creansoure that folowis sal suer apon the dettour c1420 Wynt. v. 1138.
Schyre Empryoure, Thow art off laucht to me dettoure 1456 Hay I. 136/25.
He may nocht … have twa dettouris of a thing 1463 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 575 B.
We that ar ful borwis & dettouris for al the forsaid sowmis 1483 Acta Conc. II. Introd. 13.
Robert … as principale dettour, and John … as borgh for him, sal content and pay [etc.] 1498 Ib. MS. VIII. 156 b.
Quhilk of thaim suld be dettoure for the inbringin of the samyn 1512 Reg. Privy S. I. 365/2.
Certane soumez of monye for quhilkis he standis dettour … for merchandice takin be him c1530-40 Stewart Maitl. F. clv. 22.
I may him repute ay Ane vntrew dettour to my lyves end 1561 Reg. Privy C. I. 177.
Quhairby … that I suld be astrict and becum dettour in the hale gudis that wer takin away of befoir 1586 Reg. Morton I. 147.
In caice ȝe be nocht content of the suirtie that he may mack ȝow, I wilbe cautioun and dettour for him 1609 Montgomery Mem. 253.
The saidis … as cautioneris, souerteis and full dettouris for me 1622-6 Bisset I. 254/3.
How greit saevir the challenge war against the dettour(b) 14.. Acts I. 39/2.
Gif a burges drawys ane othir burges in borowgang and the dettur deis 1461 Liber Plusc. 397.
Of thi detturis maist force ar lukkin in clay 1474 Reg. Cupar A. I. 215.
For the mare security tha haf fundyng … Dauid Blar of Bendachty borch and dettur to ws and to the abbay 1493 Dunferm. B. Rec. 48.
The syse … fyndand the said Wat datur of all he grantit in jugment 1529 Stirling Ant. IV. 203.
Iohn Cowane … becam borgh and dettor to the said Cristane for multyeir 1553 Carte Northberwic 68.
The said priores becom causionar and dettor to the said Patrik 1561 Bk. Univ. Kirk I. 9.
To leve upoun the sweit of the browes of sick as ar no detteris unto thame 1558-66 Knox II. 224.
The lauborar is … [not a] dettar to the dum dog called the Bischop (1596) Melvill 365.
Chryst is the cautionar of the covenant and contract for us, and sa principall deatter 1609 Montgomery Mem. 253.
The said Hew Erle of Eglingtoun … and Iames Mowat … as cautioneris, souerteis and full dettoris for him … oblist thame [etc.](c) 1558-66 Knox II. 224.
The lauborar … is debtour onlie unto the Churche c1575 Balfour Pract. 501.
The debtour compeirand personallie in judgement, … the creditour sall ask and clame fra him his debt simplie 1609 Skene Reg, Maj. 80.
Gif the borgh may proue that the principall debtour is vailable
