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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.

Return, -tourne, -torne, n. Also: -turne. [ME and e.m.E. retorn (Gower), -tourne, -turn(e, AF retorn, retourn, return, f. retorner, etc., Return v.]

1. Forout (but, without) return, without the possibility of returning to another place or situation; without hope of reprieve (from banishment or the like). c1400 Troy-bk. ii 103 (C).
That Amphymacus … be perpetualy Bannyst for-out retourne ageyne [L. Sine spe aliqua redeundi] Ib. 2248.
Anchises Entered in schippes … To pas in exile but retorne a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 577 (Asl.).
Sen but retorne thow drawis day be day Till deid 1611-57 Mure Early Misc. P. iv 9.
I fell in quenchles fyre, In quhich alace I boyle but mercie or retourne

b. Without coming back again. c1515 Asl. MS I 303/4.
The ravyn … fand ane foule carioun and tarijt thairon without retorne

2. The action of coming back, or returning, to or from a place, person or situation.(1) 1596 Dalr. II 267/24.
To Scotland he maid returne 1662 Lamont Diary 148.
His Maj. Commissioner had a speich to them [sc. the bishops], congratulating ther returne to the said judicatory(2) a1538 Abell 28b.
Pace day wes on Sondaye the 14 day of the moneth of Aprile to the 12 day [? sc. of May] for sa mekill of the moyn or thare about is the leip and the return of the moyn

3. A withdrawal, retreat. Cf. Return v. 5. 1513 Doug. v x 69 (Sm.) (see Returning vbl. n. 2).
Returnis

4. Reversion. a1538 Abell 12b.
Ciyr … gaif … to his eyme Dary the kinrik of Meid with returne to him eftirwart

5. A spoken or written answer. 1604-31 Craig ii 129. c1610 Melville Mem. (1683) 34.
My returns to thee are full of loue and peace 1673 Red Bk. Grandtully I cxii.
Mr. Mercer wounders … that ye are not pleased to let him have a return to his [letter] 1696 Ayr Presb. 8 Jan.
Mr. Patrick Crawford wrote … to Robert Rowan from whom their is no return

6. The sending back to its originator, after appropriate action has been taken, of a process or a superior's instruction. 1662 Acts Sederunt ii 85.
The defender's advocat shall return the proces and shall write on the back the day of the return (seen and returned), and sett his name thereto 1663 Stirling B. Rec. I 242.
The Bishop of Edinburgh … hes given them an edict to be served at the kirk the next Sabboath, and upon the returne thairof hes promised collatione 1672 Acts VIII 81/1.
And shall interline … noe cause … bot sett them doune in order as they wer presented according to the dait of their returnes