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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Vindicat(e, Vendicat(e, v. P.p. vindicat(e, vendicat. [e.m.E. vendicate (1531), vendicat (1557), vindicate (1613), F. vendiquer, L. vindicāt, vendicāt.] tr.

1. a. To avenge (a person) apoun (= with regard to) an injury sustained. b. To revenge (an injury). c. To vent (an emotion) on a person, in revenge. d. To punish (a wrong).a. 1533 Boece 239a.
The army promyst offer thame to all perrellis to be vindicate apoun ald iniuris of Britouns 1533 Boece 437a.
King Swene send for new power to be vindicate apoun iniuris latelie be tresoun of Inglismen resauitb. 1533 Boece 437a.
Sic grevos slauchter was nocht vindicatec. 1533 Bell. Livy II 326 (BM).
Thai wald submit tham to the power of faders, praying tham to provid that the peple vindicat na ire nor wraith on thamd. 1632 Lithgow Trav. viii 367.
There are seuerall seates of justice heere (though none to vindicate beastlinesse)

2. To rescue, deliver a. A country, from, out of injurious circumstances. b. Printed matter fra (from) errors.a. 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 22.
How ȝe haue vindicat this realme out of thraldome of strangearis a1650 Row 353.
There was great talking of the King of Swaden his ingoing to Germanie with an armie to help the princes there, and to vindicat them from the tyrannie of the Emperourb. 1568 Lynd. (STS) IV 45.
The warkis of … Schir Dauid Lyndesay … Newly correctit, and vindicate from the former errouris quhairwith thay war befoir corruptit 1571 Henr. Fab. Title (Bass.).
The Morall Fabillis of Esope … compylit in eloquent & ornate Scottis meter be M. Robert Henrisone … Newlie corectit, and vendicat, fra mony errouris, quhilkis war ouer sene in the last prenting

3. a. To provide justification for (a claim, complaint or action). b. To clear (from any suspicion, criticism or doubt), to justify. With personal and non-personal object.a. 1589 St. A. B. Ct. 16 Sept.
The persewaris mey vindicat and prewe the samin to be thair awin proper guidis 1667 Laing MSS 362.
The information I sent yow to vindicat the complaints pretended against the forces of this kingdome 1673 Kirkcaldy B. Rec. MS 22 Sept.
Ane discourse … quharin the proveist was vindicating the counsell in thar admission of Andrew Barklay dagmaker to be ane friemanb. (1) 1611 Misc. Maitl. C. III 20.
To vindicat thameselfs from all imputatioun of sleuthe, negligence, or neglect of dewtie 1674 Glasgow B. Rec. III 192.
They judge it their dewtie to vindicat themselfes … from any mistack they may fall under(2) 1639 Acts V 612/2.
His honnour aught to be vindicate, and he to be declaired frie of any … malversatioune thairin 1706 Rothesay Par. Rec. 203.
He was … satisfied to underly any tryall the session pleased to vindicate his oun innocence and reputation

4. To establish, claim as belonging to oneself or another.(a) 1597 James VI Dæmonol. (STS) 77/14.
There can not be a more acceptable deed in the sight of God … then to free the countrie of such a cursse [sc. a wicked king], & vindicat to them their libertie, which is naturall to all creatures to craue(b) 1558 Knox IV 382.
He writeth … It is not permitted to a woman to speake in the congregation, … nether to baptise, nether to vendicate to her selfe any office of man 1558 Q. Kennedy Tractive 114.
Thay … quha vendicatis and takis to thaimselfis … the place of the Apostolis … nolder levis ane godlie lyfe, nor ȝit precheis nor techeis the trew word of God 1561 Q. Kennedy Compendious Ressonyng (ed.) 171/19.
Princis has vendicat dispositioun of benefices, disponand thame to vnqualifeit men as temporale revarde 1597 James VI Dæmonol. (STS) 7/16.
They assaie to vendicate vnto them[selves] a greater name a1658 Durham Comm. Rev. 548.
That by the devils instigation he should vendicate [pr. venditate] and give out himself to have a large authority and power