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.
Quotation dates: 1420, 1526, 1669-1699
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Surreptioun(e, Subreption, n. Also: surreptyoune. [Late ME and e.m.E. surreptyon (c1400), surrepcion (c1450), surreption (c1555), subreption (1600), OF subrection, -reption (both 14th c. in Larousse), L. subr-, surreptiōn-, f. subr-, surripere v.]
1. Suppression or concealment of the truth in order to obtain some gift or benefit. Freq. in collocation with Obreption n.(a) c1420 Wynt. ii 1142.
Thaire ath, Thai sayde, wes be surreptyoune, Gyle, and circumventyoune(b) a1670 Scot Staggering State xv.
The Chancellar … had an opportunity of examining the king's grants … obtained by subreption or false suggestions 1680 Fountainhall Decis. I 110.
Alledgeances founded upon the impetrating of the gift of escheat from his Majesty by obreption expresso mendacio, or subreption celata veritate 1686 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII 76.
In this case his Majestie was not to be considered in his royal capacity as giving gifts or grants, in which case there is place for abreption and subreption 1693 Fountainhall Decis. I 553.
That either they might acquaint his Majesty, to see if there was any subreption, or obreption in Reidy's gift and charter or [etc.] 1697 Fountainhall Decis. I 764.
It was farther objected against Lithgow's gift, that it has been certainly obtained by subreption, concealing from the king what he had so few days before granted away to another 1699 Fountainhall Decis. II 76.
To take trial by examining the agent, clerk and his extracter, anent the way and manner of its being taken out, and if any subreption was used therein
2. The action of taking away by stealth; theft.1526 Acts II 301/2.
That diuers evill disposit persounis be surreptioune has gottin his lettrez … [on behalf of John Maxwell] … therfor our souerane lord … declaris all sic lettrez … procedit be surreptioun
