Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CAPTION, Capshun, Capshin, Captie, n. [′kɑpʃən]
†1. A warrant for the arrest of a debtor on account of the non-payment of a debt. A term in Sc. law.Sc. 1818 Scott H. Midlothian iv.:
[He] had nae mair ado but to get awa wi' his guard up this West Bow as fast as if there had been a caption after him.Inv. 1728 Letter-Bk. Bailie J. Steuart (ed. W. Mackay 1915) 290:
I herewt. give you the trouble of the Inclosed caption agst. James Glass.Lnk. 1722 Minutes J.P.s Lnk. (S.H.S. 1931) 210–211:
William Forrest did injuriously cause apprehend me, by vertue of a caption upon the same decreet.
Comb.: captie-hornins, letters of amercement. Corruption of phr. below.Abd. 1826 D. Anderson Poems 29:
Ye wou'dna fash your thumb, I ken, Letters an' summonses to sen', An' captie-hornins unto ane Like me.
†2. “The act of taking a person who is to be arrested” (Sc. 1887 Jam.6).Dmf. 1742 Records Conv. Burghs (1915) 97:
By caption and incarseration until actual payment of his said bond.
Phr.: horning and caption. See horning s.v. Horn, v., 4.
3. fig. “The obtaining of any thing that is valuable or serviceable; a lucky acquisition” (Abd. 1825 Jam.2; also Mry.1 1925; Bnff.2, Abd.19 1938).Abd.6 1910:
When one got a gift, or an obligement, which they were particularly in want of, they said “It was a gey capshun to get it.”Abd.1 1929:
The new car will be a richt capshin for him.Abd.9 1938:
Hillie's gotten Mains's maiden at last; bit fegs, she's nae great caption.
