A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Relevant, adj. Also: -lew-; -leve-; -lef-; -liv-, -lyv-. [Only Sc. till the late 18th c., the earliest English instances in OED being, at least indirectly, of Scots origin. Med. L. relevans in relevantes (‘legitimi, validi, probantes’, 1481 in Du Cange) articuli, f. L. relevāre Relev(e v.1 Cf. Ital. rilevante ‘availefull, … of consequence’ (Florio); F. relevant (17th c. in Littré). See also Relevand.] Legally pertinent, competent, or sufficient; relevant.Chiefly in legal or judicial contexts, but also, rarely, b. in other contexts.predic. (1) 1518 Fife Sheriff Ct. 134.
Quhat that war fundin releuant to be alowit in the payment of the foirsaid malis 1606 Haddington MS in Reg. Privy C. VII 183. 1629 Justiciary Cases I 114. a1633 Hope Major Pract. I 264.
The lords fand ane exception … relevant in respect of the infeftment standing clad with possession Ib. II 250. 1661 Justiciary Ct. Rec. I 9.
The justice deputes by their interloquitor fand that part of the dittay … relevant 1669 Ib. 320, etc.(b) 1564 Reg. Privy C. I 292.
Quhilk [exception] being fundin relivant be the Lordis of Secreit Counsall 1584 Gowrie P. 31.
They fownd not relyvant the answer my lord made 1666 Glasgow Chart. II 70.
And ther sumonds found relivant and proven(2) 1559–60 Soc. Ant. XI 521.
The said allegiance is nocht relewant and suld be repellit 1561 Reg. Privy C. I 173.
Of the law it is requirit to the relevancie thairof that ather of the partis of the alternative be relevant in the self, utherwyise the haill to be nocht relevant 1592 Digest Justiciary Proc. P 38.
That part of the dittay anent suordis and gantilettis is nawayes releuant nor can be put to ane assis 1612 Crim. Trials III 226.
Concerning the demembring James Weir of the finger … nather mutilatioun nor demembratioun is relevant 1616 Ib. 405.
That alledgeance is nather releveant nor instructit 1627 Justiciary Cases I 68.
The dittay is nowayis relevant to pas to the knawlege of ane assyse 1661 Aberd. Council Lett. IV 143.
My Lord Argills process is sustained relivant 1661 Justiciary Ct. Rec. I 8.
The subsumption founded on particular deeds of malefice lybelled is not relevant to inferr the crimes of sorcery and witchcraft Ib. 12.
The article of the indytement was not relevant, because [etc.] 1681 Stair Inst. iv xxxix § 12.
Under the allegeance that such points are not relevant, the meaning is, that though the points alleged were proven, they would not justly infer the point deduced from them 1695 Ayr Presb. 23 Oct.
The reasons why he hath not celebrate the Lords Supper in his paroch quhich are sustained as relevantattrib. 1521 Acts XII 40/1.
That we without ony relevant cause tak fra oure said governoure … the tutele of oure soveranc lord 1560 Admir. Ct. Bk. 157.
Thair is na uthir qualitie relevant insert in the libell quhairfor [etc.] c1566 Fife Sheriff Ct. 407.
Aganis quhome thai may haue ony lauchful exceptioun and relivant caus to set thame of thair assyise 1616 Fraserburgh Kirk S. 70 (6 March).
They had not relevant testimonie thairvpon 1622-6 Bisset I 171/20.
Gif he makis na denunciatioun in lauchtfull tyme and the warrand declair … ane relevant exceptioun [etc.] 1638 Kirkcaldy Presb. 134.
The brethren thinks it not ane relevant excuse and thairfoir ordeanes him to be sowmonit to the nixt day 1649 Inverness Presb. 169.
A lettre … importing … relefant reasones of his necessitat voyage to [etc.] 1670 Urie Baron Ct. 91.
Ilk persone … lawfullie sumondit … and does failȝie to come … sall pey … fourtie schillinge … without they instruct relevant excusesb. c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus i 498.
I sall thé schaw ane answer releuant 1587-99 Hume 104/52.
Na, na, thy intention sall be na releuant defence vnto thee
