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.
Limitat, v. Also: -ate. P.t. limitat. P.p. limitatit, -ed; limitat. [f. Limitatp.p. and ppl. a.: also e.m.E. (once) limitate (1654). (Cf. Limit v.)]
1. tr. To set bounds to, in various non-material applications.
a. To circumscribe or restrict, or b. To delimit or define, as to distance, territorial bounds, duration, or scope or powers.
c. To limit (a person) to a specific amount of something.a (a) 1570-3 Knox in Bann. Trans. 102.
My commissione man can not limitate 1625 Garden Kings 7.
The former princelie power he impaires And limitats it to perpetuall lawes 1618 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 159.
I think my lord of Medop sall limitat Mownys richt befoir his depairture out of this toun 1639 Baillie I. 142.
To limitat that office so that it should not be able to wrong the Church(c) 1633 Johnston Diary (1911) I. 159.
Thy voue was limitated until the tyme of Gods delyvring thé from the tentation(b) 1641 Misc. Maitl. C. II. 431.
The Estates … had limitat our processe and tryall to endure till the first of Merch, that wee sould be no longer in suspenceb. 1569 Reg. Privy C. II. 26.
To convoy the said artaillierie for sic space as the saidis shereffis … sall particularlie limitate and appoint 1560 Bk. Disc. (1621) 3.
The persons nominate … to … define and limitate the jurisdiction of the Kirk 1651 Moray Synod 110.
The committee appointed did bound and limitat the stance of the church and churchyard upon the S.E. pairt of the said peice groundc. 1650 Elgin Rec. I. 287.
The Counsell … limitat tham to tua hundreth cairthill of peittis
d. transf. To attribute supposed limits (of space or time etc.) to (God's wisdom, princely authority etc.); to suppose (God) to be circumscribed by or limited to certain limiting conditions.1562-3 Winȝet I. 125/25.
Gif we … limitatis and determinatis nocht the wisdum of God be our phantasie … quhy cal ȝe ws heirfor Papistis? 1558-66 Knox II. 127.
Yf thei will limitat the power of princes to the places onlie whair thair bodelye presence is, it will be thocht strange 1581 Burne Disput. 39.
Sua it apperis ȝe ar not content to limitat the pouar of kingis, … bot ȝevil limitat the pouar of God him self 1638 Johnston Diary (1911) I. 301.
Quho darre limitat the holy on of Izrael to tymes or causes or means or maner?
2. To confine or restrain within certain bounds etc., in the material sense.1597 James VI Dæmonol. 17.
It is no power inherent … in the … names of God blasphemouslie vsed … that either can raise any infernall spirit, or yet limitat him perforce within or without these circles
3. a. To enjoin, prescribe (a duty etc.). b. To appoint, designate (a person).1583–4 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 317.
Jhonn Bowman … to haif the keiping … of the said buriale … and gevis and limitates vnto him the rewlis and iniunctiouns following 1606 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV. 57.
To … pay … sowmes of money … to sic … persones as … within the space sal be limitatit in the decreit
