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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Decrete, Decreit, n. Also: decret(t, -creite, -creitt, -creet. [ME. decret, pl. decretz (c 1374), OF. decret, L. dēcrētum. After 1500 only in Sc.]

1. A decision, judgement, decree, esp. of a civil, ecclesiastical, or divine authority. c1420 Wynt. v. 3838.
The sentens off ewyne rychtwysnes Fordois decretys off wodnes Ib. vii. 1841.
Thar he schawyd the decret To the Pape 1438 Acts II. 32/1.
Apon thaim that dissobeys and agaynstandis the kingis actis and decrettis 1456 Hay I. 69/12.
Tharfore sais a decrete … in this maner Ib. 35.
Johne Androw, doctor in decrete a1500 Henr. Fab. 1207.
Seikand full mony decreitis of the law, And glosis als, the veritie to knaw Ib. III. 160/55.
Of oure saulis bydand the decreit Off his godheid, to rew and glorife c1500 Roule Cursing 204.
Greit God, our hieast iuge, He gaif decreit … That [etc.] 1513 Doug. xiii. vi. 138.
The graue faderis … In thar digest decretis sage and stabill Ib. x. 109.
Thus standis the Goddis sentens and decreit 1535 Stewart 455.
He ordand hes greit lawis, Be the decreit of wysmen and thair sawis c1568 Lauder Minor P. i. 35.
The … terribill. decreit, … That is prepared for wekit creaturs 1571 Sat. P. xxviii. 78.
Aganis thair cannoun law thay gaif decreit a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 911.
As ȝe haif dyted ȝour decreit, Ȝour prophesie to be complete 1588 King Cat. 59.
S. Paul giuis ane scharp decreit aganis theis men

2. A judicial judgement or pronouncement; a decree of a court or competent judge or arbiter.In regular use from c 1450 onwards. For decrete arbitrale see also Arbitrale a.(a) 1385 3rd Rep. Hist. MSS. 410/2.
The dome of qwhilk decrete the forsayde Sir Patrick … deferryt tyl his lauchfulle day next eftir Pas 1437 Reg. Dunferm. 285.
In witnes of this decret & deliuerans 1447 Reg. Great S. IV. 68/2.
That thai sal stand and abide at the ordinance, … and decrete of the … Erle 1471 Acta Aud. 18/2.
Efter the forme and tennour of the decrete of the arbitouris gevin theruppon of before 1493 Liber Aberbr. 276.
The decret, sentence, and delyuerance off certane assysowris of perambulacione 1509 Montgomery Mem. 72.
All the saidis partiis being … suorne to vnderly and obey our decrett, dome, … and ordinance 1523 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 211.
Robert denyit that thai had brokin ony punct contenit in the said decrete sen the geuing thairof 1540 Ib. II. 103.
Thair wes tua decretis obtenit before the Lordis of Sessioun be the toun this day aganis the thre personis aboue expremyt 1560 Fam. Rose 233.
Committand to our said justice deputt … decrettis and sentence till giff 1581 Aberd. B. Rec. II. 41.
In respect thai ar … fundin be the decretis producit unprofitabill nieberis of … this burght(b) 1478 Acta Conc. 25/1.
The complaint made … for the wrangwis execucion of a decreite arbitrale gevin betuix the said Adam and Johne Patonson 1530 Misc. Abbotsf. C. 9.
The saidis pairteis beand sworn til … fulfill our sentence, decreit, and deliuerance anentis all slauchteris [etc.] 1553 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 182.
Cognitioun being tane … and decreit gevin, that the pairty being fund to haif done the wrang to reform the samyn 1573 Reg. Privy C. II. 239.
James Fiddes … hes obtenit … ane pretendit decreit … chargeing the tenentis and annuellaris to answer and obey to him 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Attachiamentum.
In execution of decreites, … the moveabill gudes perteining to the debtour suld be first discussed 1622-6 Bisset I. 272/15.
As the commisseris of Edinburgh hes power … to reduce the decreittis wranguslie gevin be all inferioure commisseris c1650 Spalding II. 45.
Haddoche maid protestatioun aganes thir decreitis in the actis of Parliament 1676 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. IV. 524.
Iohn Moriesone … being … desyrous that the whole rent should be applyed for satisfieing the creditours did consent to a decreitt of preference 1695 Edinb. Test. LXXX. 144 b.
Ane decreit obtained at the defuncts instance against him … befor the Lords of Counsellattrib. 1652 Peebles B. Rec. II. 2.
Patrik Vaitche, late borow clerk, to produce all the tounes registers … and decreit bookes(c) 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Breve.
Becaus the sentences and decreetes of ordinar judges suld be red and pronunced in writ a1646 Spotisw. Practicks 38.
A commissar may transfer his own decreet given before himself 1641 Acts V. 382/1.
He craves to be restored aganes the decreet of foirfaultour 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. (1699) 77.
No mans escheat falls upon their decreet … till he be also tryed by the Justices 1693 Apol. Clergy Scot. 25.
The Council appointed that no decreet should pass in favour of the Episcopal Clergy