A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Essonȝe, -ȝie, n. Also: essoinȝie. [ME. essoyn, essoyne (c 1330), OF. essoyne, essoi(g)ne, essonie, med. L. essonia. Cf. Assonȝe n. and Sonȝe n.] An excuse, esp. one offered as a legal defence; a pretext or representation.a1400 Leg. S. xvi. 393.
Til his essonȝe scho tuk na hed Ib. xxv. 181.
Thame thocht it suld awale To fynd sume essonȝe for-quhy Thai mycht frely pase forby 14.. Acts I. 108/2.
Of the essonȝeis of hym indytyt Ib.
Thruch essonȝie that is callyt bed yvill, sua that suilk essonȝie be resavit in court before the iustice Ib. 378/2.
For the ferd day … thar lyis nouther essonȝe na defalt, bot gif it be essonȝe or defalt of seknes in bed 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Iter.
Gif the partie defender being lauchfullie warned, compeired not, bot send ane essoinzie, or excuse 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 91 b.
Gif the defender vses any essonzie, bot onely be reason of bed evill and infirmitie 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. ii. xx. § 3.
If the reason of absence, or essoinzie (as we call it) be found relevant, he will not be unlawed
