A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1549-1675
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Optio(u)n(e, n. Also: opcion, (optitione). [e.m.E. option (1604), F. option (16th c. in Littré), L. optio choosing, choice.] Option, choice. a. Chiefly in the phr. at or in the optioun or preferred choice out of two or more alternatives (of a person or persons or const. possess. pron.). b. One preferred choice, the thing chosen as one's preference.a. 1549–50 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I. 447.
Ane berrall salmond … or thre pundis monye at the optioun of the said noble lord 1550 Ib. 451.
In the optioun of the occupyoiris 1563 Cal. Sc. P. II. 77.
Opcion 1565 Instit. Ct. Sess. 13 a.
Quhilk is in the optioun and his privilege 1587 Acts III. 464/2.
To call … thame criminallie or ciuillie at his optioun 1593 Reg. Morton I. 185.
That the assysseris be nocht nominate at the optioun of the parteis to be accused bot to be nominate by the partie accuseris 1618 Boyd Fam. P. No. 109 (18 Nov.).
At the optione of the said Mr. Gilbert … aither [etc.] 1626 Justiciary Cases I. 52.
Optioun 1626 Fraserburgh Kirk S. II. 9 Aug.
As scho thoicht meit & in hir option a1633 Hope Major Pract. II. 74. 1675 Edinb. B. Rec. X. 219.
That … it shall [not] be in the optitione of any of the magistrats … to sett at liberty any … imprisoned for not peymentb. 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 198.
[God] giveth him his optioun in this sign … quhilk testifieth that he did not amiss in seeking of it
