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: 1487-1578
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Justifying, vbl. n. Also: justifieing, justifeing. [Justify v. 2.] Execution of justice (upon a criminal, etc.); chiefly, execution, putting to death. Also justifying to the dede.(1) 1487 Acts II. 177/1.
For the punycioun & justifying of sic trespassouris as hes in tymes bigain … escapit & wes putt fra the law 1553–4 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 283.
For the expensis of the justefeing of Gospart Lauder, and the eirding of him eftir he wes heidit 1573–4 Bk. O. Edinb. C. VI. 91.
For tua pund of poder … at the justefeing of the laird Ormestoun 1570 Leslie 110.
Remembring the injurie ressavit be justifeing of the saide Lord Hwme a1578 Pitsc. I. 183/13.
The King was haill avyssit at that tyme to haue iustifieit thame war not the consall of the Duike of Albanie … to saif the lordis from iustifieing in the Kingis furie(2) 1508 Reg. Privy S. I. 255/1.
Pertening to our soverane lord be resoun of eschete throu justifying of thaim to the dede for crimes committed be thaim 1560 Acts II. 535/2.
Justifying to the deid for the thrid falt
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"Justifying vbl. n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/justifying>
