Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
ALTER, v.1 To reverse the judgment of a lower court. A term in Sc. law. See Adhere.Edb. 1771 Court of Session Garland in 1825 R. Chambers Trad. of Edin. (1847) 123:
The cause being called, my Lord Justice-clerk, With all due respect, began a loud bark: He appealed to his conscience, his heart, and from thence Concluded — “To Alter,” but to give no expense.
