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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Justiciar, Justicear, n. Also: -iare, justitiar, justetiar. [Late ME. and e.m.E. justiciar (1485), med. L. justitiarius. Cf. Justicier.Common in sense 1 in Skene Reg. Maj., as a rendering of, or answering to, med. L. justitiarius, which in other texts is generally rendered by justice (Justice n. 6).]

1. A Scottish Justiciar or Justice. = Justice n. 6–11. Justiciar Generall. = Justice generall n. c1575 Balfour Pract. 573.
Gif twa or ma justiciaris ar constitute in the commissioun grantit to thame be the King 1584 Acts III. 357/2.
The pretendit lettre … makand … the said George erll of Cathnes his airis and assignais heretable justiciaris in that pairt 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. i. 55.
Bot gif ane pley is advocat to the kings heid court (before the Justiciar), the lord of the inferiour court may not [etc.] Ib. ii. 57.
Ilk Justiciar or his depute sould cause his clerk bring in all the extracts of his justice aire Ib. 157.
The Kings officiars, sic as schirefs, justitiars c1615 Chron. Kings 19.
Ethodius the first … maid the foirsaid Argadus his Justicear a1633 Hope Major Pract. II. .
Of old all controversies about the right of heretadge wer first brought befoir the superior … upon the kings precept, or of his Justiciar 1636 Justiciary Cases I. 267.
Archibald Lord Lorne heretable justiciar of the south and north Ylleis and of the schirefdome of Argyle 1702 Acts XI. 27/2.
That the court holden within his [the Duke of Argyll's] bounds when fenced in her Majesties name shall be also fenced in his name as her Majesties Justiciar Generall in manner foresaid

b. Justitiar aire, Justitiars aire, = Justice aire. 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. ii. 1.
Of justice aires and schiref courts. Bischops, abbates, earles [etc.] … sould … compeir at the justitiars aire Ib. (Table) ii. 83.
Of sick things as stayes the justitiars aire or court Ib.
The vnlaw in the justitiar aire

2. With qualifying adjective, esp. gude: One who maintains or executes justice (well, sharply). = Justicer n. a, Justicier n. c1615 Chron. Kings 18.
Argadus … gowernit him selff thairefter as ane gude justetiar Ib. 66.
Dauid Bruce … wes wnder tutorie of Thomas Randoll … ane wailȝieant and guid iusticiar 1622-6 Bisset I. 71/10.
King James the fyft … quha wes ane guid iusticiare and followed furth the erectioun … of the college of iustice 1625 Garden Kings 29.
With pow're … [he] roborate his lawes, And so himself a scharpe justiciare schawes

b. A judge or magistrate. 1600 Aberd. B. Rec. II. 215.
All merchandis passand to thair woyages … at the election of their foud or justiciar, … the fowd … sall be ansuirabill … of all unlawis … for swering, [etc.]