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.
Quotation dates: 1558-1578, 1672
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Irrelevant, adj. Also: irrilivant, irrilevant. [Relevant adj.; cf. OF. irrelevant in same sense. Not in Eng. use till 1786.] Said of allegations or pleadings in a law-suit: Not bearing on or supporting the case advanced, not pertinent or applicable, inadmissible. — 1558 Admir. Ct. Bk. 80.
Williame Hume ansuerand to the pretendit bill of Johne Denis allegit that samyn irrelevant 1559 Ib. 124.
David … allegeit the samyn [defence] to be irrilivant and aucht to be repellit 1561 Reg. Privy C. I. 173.
Irrelevant 1578 Rec. Earld. Orkney 142.
Irrilivant 1672 Justiciary Rec. II. 90.
The said defence is most irrilevant and the said proclamation can be no ground for the samen, in so far [etc.]
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"Irrelevant adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/irrelevant_adj>
