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.
Legitimatioun, -acioun, n. Also: legittimatio(u)n(e, legitymacioune. [Late ME. and e.m.E. legitimation, legittimacion (1460), med.L. legitimacio, F. légitimation.]
1. The action of rendering a person legitimate, legitimation; also, the fact of being legitimate, legitimacy.1492 Douglas Chart. 132.
To do all neidfull thingis … for the gud of matrimone … and the legitymacioune … of the aieris 1535 Stewart 55590.
The quhilk wedding wes lauchfull probatioun Of his barnis legitimatioun 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. Table. ii. 85 b.
Legitimation of bairns … is not be mariage betwixt the parents of the bairne borne after the mariage 1681 Stair Inst. iii. iii. 42.
That the said impediment, though it be sufficient to annul the marriage, yet not to take away the legitimation of the children [etc.]
2. Legitimation by the sovereign: the authoritative granting of the rights of a legitimate person to one born illegitimate.Esp. the right to transmit his property to an heir or legatees after death, even though he is without lawful issue.1456 Hay II. 93/31.
Gif ony gracis, remissiounis or legitimaciounis was to be done 1478 Acts II. 115/2.
Alexr Raite clerk summond … for the tresonable vsurpacioun … in the pretend it legitimacion of James Egir bastard in the name … of the Empreour 1504 Treas. Acc. II. 430.
To distrenȝe the schiref of Drumfreis … for ane eschet of bastardry quhilk hed ane legitimatioun 1505–6 Ib. III. 181. 1568 Reg. Morton I. 37.
In the successioun that ilk ane of tham pretendis, … the erle of Murraye on the syid of my realme be rasoun of the said legittimatione 1574 Inverness Rec. I. 236.
Johne Cuming … son naturall to William Cuming exhibeit … ane legittimatioun of our souerane lordis, … as eftir followis 1578 Acts III. 97/2.
The signatouris of legitimationis, giftis of escheit of movabillis, [etc.] 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Feodvm.
Prices set downe to the signet, for signatoures passing the … seales, For ane legitimation vj s. viij pen. 1651 Acts VI. ii. 666/2.
Ratificatioune of ane gift of legittimatione granted be his maiestie to George Elphingstoun
b. Ane letter, or lettres, of legitimation.1533–4 Acta Conc. Public Aff. 414.
That granting lettres of legittimation to divers persouns hes done us … prejudice 1543 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 188.
The lettres of legitimatioun maid to the said Robert 1578 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. I. 80.
Cuthbert Dwn messinger … producit ane letter of legittimatioun vnder the Queins grete sele made to vmquhill Michael Dwn and hym c1575 Balfour Pract. 240.
And thairfoir the King … hes na richt … to the samin be ressoun of bastardie, speciallie gif the samin be contenit in his letter of legitimatioun
