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

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Article, Artikil, n. Also: artycle, artecle, -kle, artickel, -ell, -il, articall; artykle, artikle, artickle; artykyl, -yll, -ill, artikele, artikel, artekille. [ME. article (c 1225), artycle, artykle, etc., OF. article, L. articulus. Cf. Articule.]

1. An article, clause, or point. a. In a legal document, ordinance, agreement, etc.1397 Douglas Chart. 38 (al thir condiciounis and artikillis). 1422 Stirlings of Keir 209 (in all puntys and artikyllis). 1443 Ayr Chart. 28 (certane articlis and clamys). 1483 Acts II. 166/1 (vnknawlege of thir articlis). 1518 Edinb. B. Rec. 179 (anent the secund article). 1549 Compl. 97/17 (thyr forsaid artiklis and ordinance); Ib. 108/2 (statutis and artiklis of the pace). 1595 Conv. Burghs I. 468 (ane artikill in favouris of the magistrattis).

b. Of the Creed, faith, etc.c1420 Wynt. i. 1557 (the articlys off the Crede). 1456 Hay I. (the articles of the faith); II. 42 (the xij articles of the treuth). c1450 Cr. Deyng 238 (trow in thir xij arteclis). c1552 Lynd. Mon. 5511 (one artekle in to our creid). 1596 Dalr. II. 382/18 (the artikelis of thair faith).

2. Lordis of Articles, a committee of members of Parliament entrusted with the preparation of the acts. 1560 in Knox II. 121.
This oure Confessioun was publictlie red … in audience of the Lordis of Articles

3. The point (of death). c1450 Cr. Deyng 37; Ib. 105.
Thai that are in the artykle of ded 1534 Rec. Earld. Orkney 218.
When he was in the articall of deyth