A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Meliorat, v. P.p. meliorat and -ated. [e.m.E. meliorate (a 1552), late L. meliōrāt-, p.p. stem of meliōrāre f. melior better.] tr. To improve; chiefly or only spec., of a tenant or other temporary occupier, as a minister of his manse and glebe, to increase the value of (the holding, benefice, etc.) by repairs and other improvements. —(a) 1598 in Row 190.
That no beneficed person get transportation whill it be seen what tacks he hes or not, or if he hes meliorat or deteriorat his benefice any way to the prejudice ofhis successor 1665 Lauder Jrnl. 107.
In the contract they have many fin clauses by whilk the fermier is bound to meliorat the ground in all points 1684 Dunkeld Presb. I. 467.
To see how much the minister's manss of Capeth was deteriorat or meliorat since the last appretiatione of the said manse(b) 1682 in Fountainhall Decis. I. 203.
In so far at least as the rent was meliorated and improven the following years by having so much … straw upon the ground
