A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Retrocess(e, v. [L. retrocess-, p.p. stem of retrōcédere to yield back, or perh., as SND conjectures, a back-formation f. Retrocessio(u)n,n. (SND, s.v. Retrocess v.).] tr. To repossess (a person) of a right previously ceded by him, temporarily, to another; to reinstate a person in a right; to restore. Also absol.See also Retrocessio(u)n,n.1682 Fountainhall Decis. I 170.
And assoilȝie her from the other article of the libel anent her giving to him another assignation to the moveables, seeing it appeared the former was only a trust, and he had retrocessed her 1687 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII 150.
The Councill haveing found the said Robert Maxwell guiltie of unwarrantable carieing away papers belonging to the laird … ordained him to retrocesse the said laird … by granting to him dispositiones to the forsaids papers [etc.] —1687 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII 150.
Your lordships interloquitor … does only ordain Carnsalloch to retrocesse Tindwall in to the same condition that he wold have bein into if the saids wrytes had not been caried away 1700 Galloway P. 1 June.
Theirfoir the said Andrew does … retrocess the said earle in his ouen right [etc.]absol. 1698 Fountainhall Decis. II 2.
The backbond bore no obligement to retrocess, but only a discharge of … execution
