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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.

Refusall, -fuis(e)all, n. Also: -fuse-, -fuss-, -fuiss-, refyous- and -ale, -ell. [e.m.E. refusell (1474), -aile, -el, -al(l, f. Refus(e v.]

1. The repudiation of a contract of marriage or betrothal.Cf. e.m.E. refusell = repudiation of a wife (once, 1531). 1482 Edinb. Chart. 146.
We … sall pay … vnto the King of Ingland … all the … money … payt for the said mariage at siclike times and dais immediately enswevin efter the refusale of the said mariage

2. The opportunity, or alternative, of refusing a benefice offered.Cf. 17th c. and mod. Eng. to have the refusal of (something). 1571 Reg. Privy C. II 80.
His presentatioun togidder with the refusall of the kirk abone-writtin

3. The act of refusing, in various senses of Refus(e v.; a refusal (to do something); a denial or rejection (of something demanded or offered). Cf. Refus(e n.¹(1) 1587 Aberd. Council Lett. I 30.
And incace of the said erllis absens or refusell 1606 Crim. Trials II 495.
Appointing of ane new Generall Assemble … without the consent, and eftir the expres refuseall of the Laird of Lowriestoun 1617 Old Ross-shire I 32.
Ony forther delay … I will tak … as ane refussell(b) 1610 Peebles B. Rec. I 360.
That thai refuis na maner of work … vnder the pane of vj s. 8 d. … to be payit to the maister, and he to retene sua mekill of his fea sua that maister try the refuisall 1616 Crim. Trials III 385.
Refuiseall 1633 Aberd. B. Rec. III 57.
The preparatiue whilk the refuissale of the craftis may produce … heirafter 1650 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 615.
Upon his refuisall(c) 1672 Wemyss Corr. 118.
Shie tuck my refyousall uerie uncayndlie(2) 1596 Boyd Fam. P. No. 84 (15 Dec.).
And incais of our absens or refuissell to ressave the foirsaid sowme [etc.] 1626 Aberd. B. Rec. III 10.
To … doun looke at thame for thair refuisall [to drink with them] 1632 Aberd. Council Lett. I 363.
Be resone of our refuisall to receave the said soume 1659 Rothesay B. Rec. 33.
In caice of James refuisall to build the samyn himselff(3) 1616 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. II 190.
Decernis Jonet Brand in xl s. for refusall of aill to nychtbouris 1618 Ib. 221.
For r[ef]usall [of] aill 1622 Ib. 281. — 1646 in Spalding II 498.
Requirit ws to give a present ansuer or refuisall of these propositions(4) 1611 Tailor's Acc. Bk. 90.
Payit … for the twa instrumentis of refuissall, xl s.