A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Subjectio(u)n, n. Also: subjectione, subjectyown(e, subjeccio(u)n(e, subjecsyon, subiectoun. [ME and e.m.E. subieccion (Rolle), subieccioun (Chaucer), subjeccion (Gower), subiection (Trevisa), subjection (1419), OF subjectiun, -ion (c1155 and c1190 in Larousse), L. subjection-, f. subicere.]
1. (The exercise of) authority (over others); dominion, control, power.Chiefly const. possessive pronoun, or of phrase.a1400 Leg. S. vii 485.
That dee thare tham leware wes ay, Thane fore to thol subieccione Of hyme c1420 Wynt. v 479.
All othir landys … Bade wndyr the subjectyowne Off Rome c1420 Wynt. viii 2439.
He mowcht noucht all hys will … fullfill That wes till have subjectyown Off this rewme 1456 Hay I 7/15.
For the defens of the barnis of Israel quhen thai war … haldin in the subjeccioun of Pharaoun 1456 Hay I 169/26.
He … conquest grete contreis to the impire of Rome, and almaist all hale the warld put under thair subjectioun 1456 Hay II 95/30.
Be ay mercifull and pitous apon thame that thou has subiectioun apon and victory 1460 Hay Alex. 2616.
Syne … departit he … And conquest Affrik … And put it all in his subiectioun a1500 Quare Jel. 200.
[Women] Vnder thraldome and mannis subiectioun … mekly suffrith thair correctioun c1522 Doug. in Doug. (Sm.) I p. c.
Subieccion c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus Prol. 317.
That this small wark stand to the mercyment Of gentilmen, and byde at thair subiectioun a1578 Pitsc. I 178/1.
2. The state or condition of being subjected to another's rule or control or being in his power; slavery; bondage (to another). Also in fig. context.(1) c1420 Wynt. iii 20.
The kyng off Moab … Had wndyr hym in subjection The folk off Israell c1420 Wynt. v 1282 (W).
The Jowis he held ay In subiectioun [R. Wndyr yhok] till his end day 1456 Hay I 62/18.
He … put to subjectioun all that kynde of men, and scourit the contree of thame, and destroyit thame halely 1456 Hay II 14/23.
In servitude thare is sa mekle subjectioun, bondage and thrillage a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 441.
Sauand my senyeoury fra subiectioun, And my lordscip vn-lamyt … I sall preif all my pane to do hym plesance c1475 Wall. xi 561.
He had fer leuir de … Than for till byd as bond in subiectioun ?a1500 Steel Roy Robert 121.
Was never none hyn to this day Brocht Scotland in subiectioun 1538–9 Prot. Bk. Thomas Johnsoun 35.
Schir Hendrie Louk … held his barnis that he kennit in his scoull at sic subjection, aw, and bandone … that [etc.] ?1548 Corr. M. Lorraine 267.
Subjecsyon 1549 Compl. 139/16.
As sune as ȝe that ar comont pepil ar onbridilit and furtht of subiectione 1571 Sat. P. xxv 46.
This cuntrie is come in subjectione … With men of weir in garisone 1596 Dalr. I 131/7.
His people he keipet vndir subiectione, alluttirlie rude(2) 1490 Irland Mir. II 31/4.
This auld innemy … considerit quhow the first man he had wincust and held all the laif in captiuite and hevy subieccioun c1515 Asl. MS I 220/14.
[They] held the Ogilbyis at gret subiectoun and tuke thair gudis & distroyit thair placis 1546 Lynd. Trag. Card. 159.
Purposyng for tyll haue … put hym tyll extreme subiectioun 1549 Compl. 23/12.
Lyik dantit venqueist slauis in … vile subiectione(3) c1420 Wynt. vii 1446 (W).
Syne the hie land till his crovne He maid all in subiectioun 1456 Hay I 213/20.
Gally … was nocht under na subjectioun na truage till him 1490 Irland Mir. I 38/11.
The uniuersal subieccioune and obeyssaunce of all creature to the hie divinite and humanite of Jhesu 1590–1 Crim. Trials I ii 219.
That he was clarke to all those that were in subjection to the Divels service 1681 Stair Inst. i ii § 8.
Liberty is diminished by subjection unto authority(4) 1456 Hay II 57/1.
Be force of curage and noblesse quhilk will nocht put him in subjectioun of evill thouchtis
b. An instance of subjection, etc.c1515 Asl. MS I 194/11.
The story here of war lang to tell and of all vther nacionis thair subiectionis conquest & changis 1562-3 Winȝet II 5/28.
Be the subiectioun of the Israelitis amangis the Gentilis 1687 Shields Hind Let Loose Pref. iv.
Slaves, mancipated to a stupid subjection to tyrants absoluteness
3. Submission; homage.c1420 Wynt. viii 904.
Lat newyre the Brows now bere the crown Bot yhe hawe his subjectyown
4. The condition of being a subject and owing homage to a superior (also, God).1456 Hay I 107/25.
As is oure awin realme of Naples, quhilk haldis of the pape in propertee of subjectioun —1490 Irland Mir. III 45/11.
Sene the man knawis his fragilite subieccioun and obligacioun to God … be werray ressoune he suld humyll him to God
5. Legal obligation or liability.1456 Hay I 192/10.
Sen a man suld nocht be punyst in the first cas, to defend his frende in his presence injurit, sa is he nocht bounde to na subjectioun of law tharfore
