Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Modificatioun, n. Also: modificatioune, -cioun, -tion(e, modeficatio(u)n. [e.m.E. modyfycacyon (1502) determination of ‘modes’, in philosophy, modification (1603) limitation, qualification, restriction, F. modification (14th c.), L. modificātio; but in Sc. in the senses of Modify v.]

1. The assessment and prescription of the exact amount (of a due payment, price, valuation, etc.); specification as to the exact sum or amount. 1492 Acta Conc. I. 248/1.
And becaus the modificatioun of the betternes of the said tercis [of land] suld be haid & maid be certane frendis 1533 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III. 467.
We are contentit til paye the soume of tenne merkis of monie efter the modificacioun and consideratioun of freindis 1556 Sc. Hist. Rev. IX. 345.
His cessionar and assignay in and to the uptakin of the soum of iij^c merkis mony … or of ane steding of aucht oxin tiltht with the haill plennissing thairof at the modificatioun of Johne Cokburn [etc.] 1558-66 Knox II. 198.
That everie minister sall have … money for buying … necessaries, the modificatioun quhairof is referred to the jugement of the kirk 1569 Reg. Privy C. I. 665.
That he sall satisfie … all personis skaythit … at the jugement, sicht, discretioun and modificatioun of Johnne Erskin of Dun 1572 Ib. II. 138. 1574 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 8.
The baillies and counsale depute for modificatione of the entre siluer of the buythis vnder the tolbuyth c1575 Balfour Pract. 335. 1578–9 Perth Guildry 389 (5 Feb.).
Price of ilk dolour at the den of gildis modificatioun xxx s. 1586 Melrose Reg. Rec. I. 57.
The saidis myllaris sall pay to the awneris of the corneis … thair skaithe … at the sycht and modeficatioun of tua honest men 1589 Conv. Burghs I. 299.
Referring his said ȝeris stipend to the gude will, modificatioun, and discretioun of the commissioneris 1617–18 Ayr B. Acc. 267.
[The commissioners appointed for the] modificatioun [of the ministers' stipends] a1633 Hope Major Pract. I. 119.
Except they consigne ane penalty be the lords modefication 1633 Old Ross-shire I. 34.
For modification of stipends and plantation of kirks —1664 Morison Decis.14789 (see Locality n. 1 a (1)). — 1665 Rothesay B. Rec. 105.
That the modificatioune of the said fines shall be with consent and approbatioune of the provist 1696 Murray Lyon Hist. Lodge Edinb. 415.
Aney meassone who shall be desyrous to enter themselves with this lodge, the samen shall be referred to the modificatione of aney one of the members of this court as to their entrey money

b. Buik of (the) modificatioun, a register, appar. kept by the ‘lords modifiers’ (see Modifiar n.), of the exact stipends payable for each charge, or awarded to each member of the clergy, of the Reformed Church. 1561–2 Craven Ch. in Orkney II. 14.
Victuallis … allowed to the … readirs, exhorters and ministers within the boundis thairof conform to the appointment of the buik of modificatioun for the ȝeir comptit 1578 Reg. Privy C. III. 30.
The ordinar assignationis of the stependis of the ministre contenit in the yeirlie buke of the modificatioun 1582 Bk. Univ. Kirk II. 554.
Articles from his majestie … 4. Sould not all persons … admittit to the benefices … be placeit in the booke of modificatioun, as ministers or reidars [to] the kirks belangand to the same benefices? Ib. 555. 1586 Ib. 660, 661. 1596 in Calderwood V. 426.
At the which kirks the said ministers … sall have intromissioun with the fruicts therof conforme to this present act and booke of perpetuall modificatioun of the locall stipends to follow heerupon

c. The assessment and award of a particular sum or amount as due and payable.To the incumbent of a ministerial charge, or to a prisoner as his licensed allowance.(1) 1622 Ayr B. Acc. 278.
To Bailie John Cuningham … to se quhat modificatioun culd be gottin to the minister of this burgh furth of the teindis thairof 1649 Ib. 187.
Ane decreit … anent the … augmentatioune of the stipend … (with ane sufficient modificatioune for furnischeing the comunioun elementis to the said minister … )(2) 1644 Acts VI. i. 110/1.
Act anente the modificatioun to the Laird Haddo and John Logie for there interteinment in waird

2. The determination and appointment of the nature and extent (of a penalty or the like); sentence or decree. 1541–2 Linlithgow B. Ct. 22 March.
And applyit him to mak ane mendis at the modification and ordinance of the said balles 1584 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. I. 193.
The fault being summarlie tryit befoir the prowest and bailȝeis … but modificatioun of ony bailȝie or vthir man of the pane les nor is heir statute 1595 Paisley B. Rec. 165. 1597 Misc. Spald. C. I. 155.
And therfor referrit hir ponishment to the modificatioune and discretioune of the justice 1587-99 Hume 107/32.
Every man whom the Lord so visits, will not bee alike sore troubled … but … according to the modificatioun of the Lord

3. Prescription, regulation, or determination, decision (in other affairs). c 1616 Misc. Spald. C. II. lix.
Promised to plant his … kirks … in tack … at the sicht … of my lord archbishop [etc.] … unto qwhois modificatione the said noble lord submitts himself