A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1488-1597
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Sect, n. Pl. also secta. [Med. L. secta pursuit (1195 in Latham), legal suit or prosecution (Latham), secta curie (a1230 in Latham), secta ad curiam (c1150 in Latham) suit of court, north e.m.E. secte of courte (1546) id., f. as Sect(e n. (Cf. Sut(e n.1).]
1. Sect of court, prosecution in a court of law.1488 Acts II 207/2.
The kingis hienes … remittis and forgevis generaly and specialie all the burgesis merchandis [etc.] … the rancor of his hert and all sect of court for the accioun & caus of thar being in the feild of Steruilin, Blaknes or vtheris placis agane his hienes
2. To call (the) sectis, to call the suits of court. = Sut(e n.1 1 e.c1549 Reg. Episc. Aberd. II 308.
With full power to the … forsaid cowrt … to sett begin affirme and hald and als oft as neid beis to continew sectis to mak be callit [etc.] 1570 Elgin Rec. I 122.
The sectis callit the curt fensit and affermit lauchfullie as vse is 1571 Reg. Privy C. II 89.
Sectis to mak be callit absentis to amerchiat 1572 Reg. Privy C. II 143. 1578 Reg. Privy C. III 13. 1579 Acts III 161/2. 1597 Elphinstone Chart. 136.
b. An instance of the feudal obligation of sut(e (Sut(e n.1 1 b), attendance at a court.Irreg. quasi-Latin pl.1537 Dunferm. Reg. Ct. 144.
The quhilkis [lands] ar haldin … be seruice of ward and ralef payand thairfor ȝeyrly to my said L. and convent twenty s. of annuell rent togidder with thre secta to thair thre hed curtis
