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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.

Forfatur(e, -fatour, n. Also: forefature, -fatour, forfaitour. [Var. of Forfet(t)ure n.] a. A wrong action. b. Forfeiture.a. 1461 Liber Plusc. 398.
Gif the juge makis falt or forfature … In his officeb. 14.. Acts I. 362/2.
That al burges suld be fre … to by and to sell … withoutyn ony distrobillans, vnder full forfatur 1447 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV. 197.
Vndre the hiest paynnis of rebellioun, forffature and vtheris 1496 Acta Conc. II. 5.
That the saidis landis pertenit to Georg, Erle of Huntlye, … be ressone of the forefature of umquhile Alexander Duk of Albany 1504 Breadalbane Doc. No. 32.
Vnder the pane of tinsale and forfatour of liffe, land and gude 1516 Reg. Privy S. I. 418/1.
The dome of forefatour led upoun the said Andro … for crimes of tresoun and lese majeste 1633 Red Bk. Menteith II. 54.
To assure him ofhis lyf and forfaitour