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

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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Ratihabit, v. [Med. L. ratihabit-, p.p. stem of ratihabere (Latham ratihibere) to ratify.] tr. To approve or sanction (a criminal act or person guilty of such an act). — 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. i xxvi 2 (1678) 257.
If any person interested does ratihabit the deforcement committed by any other person, by either giving him good deed, or by receiving his letters, or blason taken from him [etc.] Ib. xxxv 8 (1678) 342.
The Laird of Assint was pursued as accessory to the murder of Montrose, in swa far as he had at least ratihabited the crime, having vaunted that he had taken him prisoner at his own house Ib. ii viii 7 (1678) 391.
The earl had beat some of them … , at least he had given order to beat them or ratihabited the beating of them 1680 Wodrow Hist. (1828) III 227.
That he treasonably owned the rebels at Bothwell and Ayrs-moss, and ratihabited the same