Dictionaries of the Scots Language
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.

Law-buke, -buik, n. [ME. (once) laȝheboc (Orm) and ON. lǫg-bók.] a. A book of law or written code of laws, in general. b. In Orkney and Shetland, respectively: The native code of laws or law-record of each of these (see Sources & Lit. Sc. Law (Stair Soc. I.) 451).a. 1533 Boece x. xi. 372.
In euery Scottis regioun salbe men vndirstanding the lawis … [who] sall kepe the law bukis with charteris 1622-6 Bisset I. 84/34.
To exhorte … all … oure soverane ladyis liegis to … considder thair … dewitie … expressed in this law buik [sc. the printed Statutes] 1596 Dalr. I. 119/27.
The title of the law buke writne in latine is sa namet, Regiam Maiestatemb (1) 1424 Rec. Earld. Orkney 39.]
[David Menzies imprisoned the Lawman of Orkney until his wife had laid the seal and the law-book (insiglit oc lagbokena) on St. Magnus' altar. And afterwards the foresaid David took the lawbook and the seal to himself and appointed another Lawman 1509 Ib. 82.
The said lawman and peirsonys forsaid fyndis be the lawbuik the dyksteith that strekis fre the wvyr-dame of Saba to the markstane [etc.] … wais, is, and sall be meyrche 1514 Ib. 88.
All the saidis partiis allegeans … considerit, … havand God before ey, has deliverit, decretit and be the cheptare of the lawbuke redd theron for finale dome gevin, that the said Schir Williamis bying … fra the said Nicoll is lauchfull 1519 Ib. 93.
We the said lawman with the advyise of the judge and xxiiij persoune, and be the suyth of the law buik, findis that the nichtbouris of Thoep … sall keip thair guides af the ground of Sabay 1575–6 Reg. Privy C. II. 489.]
[Sa be ane uthir assyise … the samyn [lands] be the law and practik observit within the said cuntre of Orknay in tymes past, wes fund to appertene to the said Lord. Quhairfoir my lord regentis grace … ordanis the said maister Johnne to bring and present the bukis of the said law, togidder with the proces and sentence pronunceit be the said last assyse [etc.](2) 1602 Shetl. Sheriff Ct. MS. 47 b.
The essyse taking lang and mature deliberatioun, be the inspectioun of the chepturis of the law buik and prateikis of the contrie in sic caices, [etc.]