Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

Absolve, Absolue, v. Also: absolwe, obsolue, obsollue. [e.m. E. absolue, -solve (1535), ad. L. absolvere.]

1. tr. To resolve, answer (a question). a1500 Henr. III. 157/41.
This questioun quha can absolue [B. obsolue], lat see a1500 Buke of the Sevyne Sagis 2144.
For to absolue the questioun

2. To absolve ecclesiastically.c1540 Lynd. Kitteis Conf. 31 (absoluit and schreuin). 1567 Gude and Godlie Ballatis 176 (he mon be absolvit; v.r. obsoluit). 1562-3 Winȝet I. 135/9 (absoluit fra the former censuris). 1596 Dalr. II. 1/2 (absoluet for pollutioune of the Monaster). 1657 Balfour Ann. I. 41 (The Prior … absolwed the kingdom from interdictione).

3. To acquit judicially.1539 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 162 (the balȝes dischargit and abso[l]uit the personis). 1574 Carrick Baillie Ct. 25 Apr.
The decreit of the saidis jugeis obsoluis the said Gilmorrie fra ony farder deliuering of the said geir a1578 Pitsc. I. 112/6.
The King … obsolluit thame frome leismaiestie 1582–3 Perth B. Ct. 15 Mar.
And sua obsoluit vt libellatur1591 Elgin Rec. II. 18 (absoluit fra forther accusatiounis). 1596 Dalr. I. 123/5 (lat the strukne [be] absoluet).1602 Shetland Sheriff Ct. MS. 47.1622-6 Bisset II. 99/20 (the Commisseris obsolved the defender).1654 Rothesay B. Rec. 1. 1663 Ib. 76.
Obsolluis1671 Corshill Baron Ct. 96.
The said Hughe alledged he promised payment thairof; the persewer denyed, and in end referrs to the persewaris oath, who deponed negatiue he made him suche promise; quhairupon he wes obsolued, and the arreastment lousid 1695 Minnigaff Par. Rec. 6.

4. To finish, complete. 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 259.
He . .was so caried away, as ane without memorie, so that he culd not absolve his mater c1590 Fowler I. 5/14.
You shall the writer & the worker be, For to absolue that Caesar left behinde