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 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Patent, n. Also: pattent, patin. [ME. and e.m.E. patent(e (Piers Plowman), orig. short for letter(s) patent Patent a.¹, AF. patente (1347), F. patente (for lettre patente), med. (Anglo-) L. patens.] An ‘open letter’ issued by the crown or other authority recording the terms of a grant, appointment or concession; a patent. See also Patent a.¹ Also plur. in sing. sense.Uncommon before the 17th c.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xxv. 160.
The emperoure … In ekyne of thare entent Thare-one gaf thame his patent [L. scripsit] That quha-euir ware traweland by that sted … thai suld helpe thame 1587 Carmichael Etym. 15.
Diploma, the princes patent 1623 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 205.
So much to be payed … be everie merchand … for the haill yeris contenit in the gift and patent ? a 1625 Anal. Scot. II. 334.
Such arrerages as are due upon the pattent of sweet wines 1627 Reg. Privy C. II. 2 Ser. 13.
His majestie hes bene … pleased to grant unto him a patent under the grite seale of Scotland for plantatioun of ane iseland … beyound the equinoctiall lyne 1628 Red Bk. Grandtully I. 117.
Which patent being read … they … did … admitt him as ane baron and lord of parliament 1632 Lithgow Trav. vii. 336.
I am … newly come from Jerusalem … and loe there is my patent 1642 Cochran-Patrick Coinage II. 118.
Anent there fies vpoun the copper worke … there is no sett fies specified in any of our patents c1646 Craufurd Edinb. Univ. fol. 15.
The charge of their Colledge, the priviledge wherof be patent they had lately obtained from K. James 6 a1676 Guthry Mem. (1747) 144.
In the meantime Duke Hamilton (for his patent had passed the seals two months before) [etc.] 1657 Conv. Burghs III. 448. 1671–2 Lauder Jrnl. 206.
He was the first in Scotland that ever got a patent of nobility 1681 Curiosities Charta Chest 33.
Tho they have patins for beinge free of all publicke burthins yett are made lyable for ther burger traid 1692 Conv. Burghs IV. 148.
A patent presented … for inhaunceing the trade of linning cloath(2) 1431 Liber Melros II. 522.
I … hafand full power and charge be our souerayne lorde the kingis patentis and letteris in speciale be lauchfull proces procedand befor 1630 Conv. Burghs III. 316.
[The commissioners] remittis … the mater of leveteinendrie and patents purchased theranent