Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

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

Relesch(e, -leisch, v.¹ Also: ra- and -lech. [ME and late ME releisch (1387), -leshe (north., c1400), -leysche (a1450), -leshy (1456), var. of Reles(e v. Cf. Relax v., also Relasche v.] tr.Rare after c1520.

1. To give up or relinquish (a right or claim) in favour of (til or to) another party. 1405 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 61.
Alsa the forsaidis … with the … consent of thair fornemnit spousis has releschyt remittyt & for gyffin for thaim and thair ayris to the forsaid erle and tyl his ayris al wardis mariagis and relevis that [etc.] 1422 Fam. Rose 125.
Ye wald be releschit of your oblising til us of the saide mariage 1439 Cop. St. A. 171.
We gawe our ande releschit to the sayde prior al right and clame … to [etc.]

2. To remit (a tribute or payment); to grant remission (to a person).Const. double object, also, in passive with the person as object, const. in (the payment remitted). c1420 Wynt. v 1557.
And mony landys … He releschyde thare trewage 1434–5 Reg. St. A. 424.
As the said Walter is chargit and grefit in his quarelle mair than he is falkit or releschit in the price of his tak

3. To withdraw or revoke (a sentence or punishment); to cancel (a condition, undertaking, stay, restraint, etc.).(a) 14.. Quon. Attach. c. 2.
& efter that don the arest of hym maid & his gudis sal be frely lowsyt & releschyt 1488 Acts II 207/2.
That the saidis personis obligacionis and souertez be fred and releschit 1516–17 Melville Chart. 60 (see Relesch(e n.).(b) 1490 Irland Mir. MS fol. 235a.
All pane ordand for syn twichand dampnacioune is releischit and remittit

4. To set free or deliver from (of restraint, servitude, suffering, obligation, debts, etc.). b. specif.. To free or discharge from (fra, of (the proces of) the horne).Also, without const. 1456 Hay I 227/19.
He is presumyt ay to be servand quhill he be releschit of his service 1498 Acta Conc. II 249.
That tharefore letters be writin til relesch him of the ward 1501 Ib. III 124.
The sadis auditouris releschis and dischargis him … of al commone gudis that he has intromettit with 1501 Reg. Privy S. I 100/2.
Our said soverane lord … relefis, frethis, and releschis, remittis, quietclemys and dischargis … the saidis Andro and Thomas … of the payment of the said soume 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1004 (L).
Belyue I wes releschit of euery band Ib. 1017.
Releschit fre of seruyce and bondage a1568 Bann. MS 220a/47.
Of all my panis scho may me weill relesche With breif in bill or bodwart send agane(b) c1475 Wall. ii 361.
Quhen Wallace was ralesched off his payne … His trew kepar he send to Elrisleb. 1498 Acta Conc. II 241.
And als his hienes releschit this clerc til a certane day fra the horne 1499–1500 Ib. 391.
Sen he was releschit fra the horne and put in ward 1511 Reg. Privy S. I 355/2.
A respit … with power to the schireffis … to relesch him fra the horne 1515 Ib. 410/2.
With command to the schireff … to relesche the said Johne of the proces of the horne led upon hym …, ressave hym to the pece, and gyf hym the wand thairofellipt. 1517 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 94.
Thai dissobey …, nocht settand by to be putt to the horn in hop that thai will be gottin relechit agane with ane bill

5. To relieve, alleviate (pain). c1409-1436 Kingis Q. 184.
Beseching vnto … Venus … His paine relesch