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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.

Feriat, a. and n. Also: fer(r)iate, feriot(e, feriet, ferit. [L.fēriātus, p.p. off ēriārī to keep holiday.]

1. Feriat time, a time ‘in which it is not lawful for courts to be held, execution to proceed, or any judicial step to be taken’ (Bell). Freq. in the feriat and close time of harvest.(a) a1500 Henr. Fab. 1191.
The tyme is feriat, Quhairfore na juge suld sit in Consistorie Sa lait at euin 1518 Fife Sheriff Ct. 108.
The actioune … to continew to ane certane day nochtwithstanding the feriate tyme of hervist 1520 Ib. 170.
The precept of summondis … wes execute upone munnunday eftir palme sonday, as he said, in feriat tyme 1566 Melville Chart. 113.
To … proceid in the serwing of Ihone Maluils … brewes, nochtwithstandyng the feriat tyme of passioun owk 1576 Comp. Zetl. MS. 28 b.
The said Laurence … hes … causit courtis to be fencit & haldin within the feriat and clois tyme of hervist and vacancie 1591 Sutherland Chart. 171.
Our procuratouris … in the feriat tyme may nocht be haill togiddir conuenit 1637 Acts Sederunt 29th July.
Comprehending herein all vacant and feriat tymes 1661 Glasgow B. Rec. II. 473.
The said decreit to be null of the law … , it being pronunnced in the feriat and clos time of vacance(b) 1574 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. I. 264.
Our Souerane Lordis letters of dispensatioune dispensand with the feriot and closs tyme of heruist 1586 Reg. Privy C. IV. 126.
In tyme of vacance, feriote and clois tyme of harvest 1607 Melrose R. Rec. I. 39.
Thai can nocht be hard to object the feriot and close tyme in respect of the deffenders compeirance 1628 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. II. 602.
George Leslie … labouring now in tyme of feriot, aitseed and beirseede tyme(c) 1606 Melrose R. Rec. I. 20.
Na proces aucht to be grantet in respect of the ferit tym Ib. 21.
The actioune … is continewit in respect of the feriet tym quhill laufull tym c 1638 Tract. Leg. Naval. 53 b.
The Admirall may keep court in closse and feriet tyme

2. n. A school vacation. 1727 Banff Ann. II. 182.
[The Council allow] the Grammer schollars feriot and waccancie … to the twentieth of Jan[ua]ry next