A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Immunitie, n. Also: immunity, immwnité, immonité, inmunitie, -ité, imwnité, ymunit(é), imminitie, -itee, emunité, emenyté. [ME. (once) ynmunite (1382), e.m.E. immunitie, immunite (1513), L. immūnitas.] Immunity, exemption.
1. An exemption of the Church or of churchmen from civil liabilities.1469 Acts II. 94/2.
That the fredome of haly kirk be obseruit … in all ymunit [sic], preulege and fredome 1488 Ib. 206/2.
That the liberteis, fredomez, preuilege and emunitez of halykirk and of vthir spretuale personis be … kepit 1524 Ib. 286/1.
The fredomez … of halikirk with all … emenyteis thairof1580 Bk. Islay 77.
The said Lauchlane, being bailie, sould defend the immoniteis, previleges, and fredomes ... grantit to the bischoprik of Ilis and place of Icolmkyll be the Kingis of Scotland
b. The inviolability of the Church, the right of sanctuary.1609 Skene Reg. Maj. ii. 49.
How oft ane manslayer takes him self to the immunitie of the kirk, he sould be … required to come furth
c. The sanctuary of Saint Duthac of Tain; the area included within this.1439 Macgill Old Ross-shire 407.]
[Haec inquisitio facta est apud villam immunitatis de Tayne 1541 Reg. Privy S. II. 646/1.
The gift of the nonentres … of the landis of Pladdis, … , togidder with the office of baillierie of the imunite of Thane 1566 Fam. Innes 121.
Alexander Innes, … heretable bailye of the toun and imminitee of Tayne 1602 Macgill Old Ross-shire 57.
Within the immunitie of Tayne
2. An exemption or special privilege granted to individuals or corporate bodies.1586 Prot. Bk. J. Merser .
With all and sindrie fredomes priuilegis and immunities pertening to ane autentique notar 1604 Conv. Burghs II. 189.
The ancient liberteis, prewledgeis, imwniteis … and lawis maid in favour of the burrowis1617 Acts IV. 579/1.
His Majesties burgh off Abirdene ... doted with ampill priuiledges and immunityes for the yeirlie payment ... of borrow maill 1634 Cochran-Patrick Coinage I. xxxvii.
Immwniteis
