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

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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.

Exercitioun, -cisioun, n. Also: exercition, -cicioun, -cicion, -cesioun, -sitioun, excercisioun, exarcison. [L. exercitio.]

1. The exercise of some pursuit, office, etc. 1456 Hay II. 4/15.
A worthy … knycht, that lang tyme had bene in the excercisioun of honourable weris Ib. 22/36.
Rycht sa has he power … in excercisioun and in execucioun of his jugement and sentence 1493 Acta Conc. 267/1.
The questioune … tuiching the excercitioune and vsing of the said officis 1513 Reg. Privy S. I. 381/2.
For the exercitioun of the said office the Kingis grace gevis to the said David all dewiteis aucht and wont 1524 Stirling B. Rec. I. 20.
The provest & ballies sall … defend him … in the exarcison or execussion of his office 1528 Lynd. Dreme 874.
Quhy want we lawis exersitioun? 1533 Bell. Livy I. 46/16.
To draw thame fra exercicioun and vse of chevelrie, he biggit the tempil of Ianus 1579 Aberd. B. Rec. II. 33.
All thing is becum of darar and grytar pryces … , als weill viuaris and victuallis as the exercitioun of all craftis 1622-6 Bisset I. 49/22.
Thus war his subiectis nethir effeminate be lang sleuth, nor ȝit irked with exercitioun of guid warkis

2. Occupation; application to work. 1483 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 48.
That his vther brether … of the saidis craftis be not hurt throu his large exercitioun and exceding of boundis 1503 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 431.
Ane burges … to be chosin be him frelie for his excercesioun & labouris, doun in the making of thar proces 1533 Bell. Livy I. 123/7.
Lat us … vesy be quhat ingynis & exercicions euery ane of oure wyiffs ar presentlie occupijt 1559 Reg. Privy S. MS. XXX. 5.
Ane regiment for educatioun of young gentillmen in literature at virtuous exercitioun ?1549 Monro Western Isles 24.
Thair daylie exercition is maist in delving & labouring the ground

3. Exercising of the body. 1525 Acts II. 295.
The hail lordis referris the exercitioune of the Kingis maist noble persoune to the discretioune of the lordis being with him for the tyme 1531 Bell. Boece I. p. lvi.
Thay war exercit in wirsling, or uther corporall exercition Ib. 26.
Quhen the Scottis had refreschit thaim with hunting and othir exercitionis 1540 Acts II. 363.
That exercitioune may be had throwout all the realme amang our souirane lordis liegis for exercing of thare personis in ordoure 1594 Hume 101/46.
To vse, or not to vse moderate exercitioun of the bodie

4. Exercise or practice in something. 1533 Boece iii. iv. 95.
Be … daly exercicioun in chevalrie thai incressit in hardyment 1533 Bell. Livy I. 18/31.
Thay had exercitioun als wele in merynes as in vther more ernyst gammyn 1551 Hamilton Cat. 16.
Tha war ordanit also for our … instructioun and spiritual exercitioun a1578 Pitsc. I. 234/18 (I).
For lack of exercisioun he was not so weill practissit as neid war

5. The exercising of persons in some respect. 1560 Bk. Disc. 216.
He shall take attendence upoun thair diligence, alsweill in thair reading as exercitioun of the youth in the mater taught