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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.

Monit(o)ur, Monytour, n. and a. [Med. L. monitoria, monitorium n. (15th–16th c.) monition, L. monitōri-us a. admonitory, also F. monitoire n. (1589), lettre monitoire (1456): cf. e.m.E. manyterye (c 1450), monitorie (c 1557) n. and a.]

1. n. A missive setting out a formal charge or injunction of an ecclesiastical judge (Monitio(u)n n.¹ 2 b); also, the charge or injunction itself.Also monitour penale (i.e. one embodying a threat of penalty). 1515 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 44.
Your bullis of provisioun of Dunkeld togiddir with the monitour penale contra Andream Stewart 1525 E. Loth. Antiq. Soc. V. 30.
Ther is here ane lettyr of the officialis of Lowdiane direct … to diuers kyrkis … the quhilk lettyr and monitur sayis that it is complenit … in the name … of Jhone Lord Hay … that … sonnys of iniquite … vnknawine to him … hydys fra hym certane … charteris 1532 Acta Conc. & Sess. 36.
[The parson of Tervat Kirk had sent a] monitour [to warn the pursuer to answer to the factors named in the bull] 1534 Edinb. Hammermen 143 b.
Gevin for ane monitour with ane sovmondis ij s. 1535 Ib. in Mill Mediæv. Plays 233.
Gevin for ane monytour to gauder in the sanctis geir with aw, ij s. 1549–50 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 599
[Letters of the vicar general of Glasgow and royal letters in the four forms, but … the royal letters] ar gevin upoun symple monitouris contenand na cursing

2. adj. Letteris monitouris, a missive or missives containing a formal charge or warning by an ecclesiastical authority (Monitio(u)n n.¹ 2). 1558–9 Misc. Spald. C. IV. 57.
For preching to be maid within the hail diocie, that thair be send letteris monitouris vpon the haill personis, abotis and prioris, to caus preching to be maid