A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1537-1633, 1698
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Prelatio(u)n, n. Also: -latioune, -lacyon. [Late ME (c 1420) prelacione and e.m.E. (1632) prelation, preferment, F. prélation (OF prelacion, 13th c. in Hatz.-Darm.) preference, preferential right in law, L. prælātiōn- a preferring, preference, in med. L. = preferment, authority, ecclesiastical title.]
1. The action of preferring or condition of being preferred; preferment, elevation, promotion; dignity, exaltation, pre-eminence. a1538 Abell 8 b.
That mony sekand occasioun of prelatioun thai driwe thar subditis fra the law of God a1538 Ib. 86 a.
Heir we haif exemple of thir halie men to refuis prelation & dignate in this present life a1538 Ib. 2* a.
Aaron wes callit to prelacyon [text: to dignate of bischiprik] & nocht ingyrit hymself a1538 Ib. 87 a, 9* a. 1585 James VI in Melvill 242.
Finalie … his [sc. the Pope's] office is solum επιδκοπειν ad vitam haiffing thairfor sum prelation and dignitie above his breithring 1631 Misc. Spald. C. II 225.
The constable had precedencye and place nixt vnto the chancellair with prelatioun to all other officiaris whatsomeuer
2. Privileged right of payment before others; prior claim to payment. = Preference n. 1623 M.P. Brown Suppl. Decis. I 12.
Where two parties, contending upon priority of diligence, and for the benefit of prelation in their debt 1625 Ib. 23.
Corns … are not hypothecated to the master … by any privilege or prerogative of prelation which might make the master to be preferred to any other creditor of that farmer a1633 Hope Major Pract. I 289.
(1630) Legatum ad pias causas found to have no priviledge of prelation to the rest of the legators (1698) Fountainhall Decis. I 825.
What preference a relict had in her husband's executry? … Tho' the Roman law gave them a hypothecque and prelation in bonis mariti [etc.] … yet it was a mistake to translate … that to our law
3. ? A body of prelates, collectively. a1538 Abell 67 b.
Gife Christ tholit sa wikkit prelatis in the sege of Rome na marwell at he thoill thame in othir prelatioune
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"Prelation n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/prelatioun_n>
