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.
Irresponsal(l, a. [Responsal a.] Not answerable, not capable of being called to account; esp., not able to pay, insolvent.1617 Acts IV. 547/1.
The receaving of the said cautioun being committit to whatsoeuir messinger of armes … , who at the desire of the party for the most part receiueth irresponsall cautioners 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 216.
Away, away with irresponsal tutors that would play me a slip 1637 Ib. 402.
But they shall prove irresponsal debtors 1661 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. I. 16.
That the cesse imposed upon severall saltpanns belonging to Captain Bryssie and others is failed, and they becom irresponsall and that the rest of the heretours hes payed ther full proportion 1664 Decis. Lords G. 81.
The … assignation … ought to be an effectual one, and not of a debitor who possibly would prove irresponsal
