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.
Violato(u)r, -ar, -er, n. Also: wiolater, violattar, -er, wiolatter. [Late ME and e.m.E. violator (1432-50), violater (1523), violatour (1577), OF violatour, L. violātor.]
1. One who breaks the terms of a statute, ruling, etc.1563 Crim. Trials I i 435.
Commoune manifest transgressouris, violatouris, and brekaris of our souerane ladeis proclamationis 1601 Reg. Privy C. VI 258.
Violattaris 1602 Shetland Sheriff Ct. (ed.) 44.
The brekaris and violateris of thir presentis to be giffin up in dittay 1613 Grant Chart. 212.
The pairtie braker or wiolatter off his present band … being tryit 1619 Rec. Univ. Aberd. 278.
[They are] to observe … the haill statutis … abonewritten, and the violatour or brekar of all or ony ane of thame to be punischit as effeiris 1635 Glasgow B. Rec. II 37.
Thair be ane speciall honnest man of guid qualitie … choysen yeirly to be watter bailyea … quha sall haif power … to … punish … breckeris and violatteris of all good actes made
2. One who violates or ravishes a woman.1558-66 Knox II 367.
Hooremongaris, adulteraris, violataris of virgenis
3. One who dishonours or profanes (a deity, etc.).1589–90 Bk. Univ. Kirk II 749 (C).
Presbytryes … to proceed against the violaters of the Lords day by keiping of mercats and fairs therin 1591–2 Balmerino 345.
Ordanis the sessione of the kirk of Balmerinoch to caus … violatoris of the Sabboth day publictlie to mak thair … repentance thairfor 1603 Dundonald Par. Rec. 33.
Johne Thomsoune … to satisfie as ane wiolater of the Saboth
