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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.

Cautioun, Causioun(e, n. Also: cautioune, -on(e, caucioune; cawtioun(e, cawcioun; causcioun, caus(sh)ione, cau(i)scheoun, cau(i)schon. [ME. caucioun, caucion (-yon, etc.), F. caution, L. cautiōn-, cautio. See also Catioun.]

1. Security or surety for the performance of an obligation.(a) 1482 Acta Aud. 98/1.
Wilȝaim Cumyng, masare, ansuerande for him vnder cautioune 1528 Acts II. 324/1.
Maister Johnne beand … requirit the maner of the caucioune desirit … to haue caucioune in this maner followand 1529 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 12.
Gilbert Skeill is becummyn souerte and cautioun for his wif, that scho [etc.] 1541 Reg. Privy S. II. 605/2.
[To give] cautioun of coleraith for justice to be ministerit to partiis complenand within terme of law 1562 Treas. Acc. XI. 162.
To ane boy passand … witht lettres upoun thame that my lord of Errole become cautioun for 1576 Reg. Privy C. II. 539.
Dik … wes thaireftir deliverit to my Lord Maxwell … ; [but] wes … borrowit hame agane upoun cautioun a1578 Pitsc. I. 328/11.
Gif he fand nocht cautioun to enter … that he sould be put to the horne 1599 Misc. Spald. C. V. 70.
For rasing of lettres on the barronis, to set cautioun for keping the vatteris in forbidden tym 1617 Acts IV. 547/1.
Quhen cautioun is found thair is no warrand thairof gevin to the arreistar bot onlie a tikkett c1650 Spalding I. 60.
He wes ordanit also to set cautioun to Frendracht that he … suld be harmles and skaithles(b) 1496 Acta Conc. II. 34.
The sade Thomas findand cawcioun for … his spouse 1501 Ib. MS. X. 154 b.
Fand cawcione that the said Ysabell suld hald [etc.] 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 131; Ib. 215.
Who salbe cawtione for the king of Spainyie a1578 Pitsc. I. 185/1.
The Earle of Angus gat the haill lordis … releiffit wpoun cawtioun to enter againe [etc.] 1617 Urie Baron Ct. 20.
Ilk ane of them becwm cawtioun for wther for their abstinans in tym cwming 1645 Peebles Gleanings 225.
The counsell ordanes James Chisholme … to be relevit upon sufficient cawtioun that he salbe reddie [etc.](c) 1482 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 501.
Fredome till agane bring and borow, and causione and cullirathe thairuppoun to fynd 1493 Antiq. Aberd. & B. II. 141.
Androw Duff oblist him and fand him self his lande and gudis causione that Johnne Duff sulde [etc.] 1534 Carnwath Baron Ct. 86 b.
Vnto the tyme that the said cradetouris … had gottin payment or causschione thairfor 1554 Prot. Bk. G. Grote 6.
He was … nocht responsall to be causioune and souertie … for lovsing of the arrestment maid 1571 Lanark B. Rec. 64.
To the performing thairof [he] sall find landit men cauischeoun thairfoir Ib.
[He] sall find causcheoun to perform the saming 1572 Peebles B. Rec. 352.
Thair to remane quhill thai fynd causioun that all nychtbouris salbe skaithles in all tymes cuming 1607 Highland P. III. 105.
I … sall find causione for my obedience

2. Attrib. and comb. with bund, finder. 1492 Acta Conc. 245/1.
Johne of Borthwik as procuratour and causioune findare for Archibald Wedderle [etc.] sall content and pay [etc.] 1573 Reg. Privy C. II. 311.
We the same cautioneris, be thir presentis, bindis and oblissis us … to stand cautioun bund for observing thairof