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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

DELATE, Dilate, v. To accuse, denounce judicially, esp. before an ecclesiastical court. Arch.Sc. 1824 Scott Redgauntlet Letter xi.:
“I intend to delate mysell to the Presbytery,” said Steenie, “and tell them all I have seen last night.”Sh. 1767 Rev. J. Mill Diary (S.H.S.) 134:
Septr. 27: Margt Burleigh in Scatness being delated as Imprecating and praying that evil might befall her Neighbour.Sth. 1746 C. D. Bentinck Dornoch (1926) 290:
Admonish any whom they might find guilty of any immoral practice condemned by the law of God . . . and to delate the obstinate to this Session the first Monday of every quarter that they may be prosecuted in terms of law.Mearns 1712 Baron Court Bk. of Urie (S.H.S. 1892) 116:
The master shall be fyned and amerciat twentie pounds Scots money, how soone any compleant of stealling of peats is dilated to the laird.Ags. 1710 W. M. Inglis Angus Par. (1904) 59:
James Anderson being delated as a habitual swearer.m.Sc. 1927 J. Buchan Witch Wood xi.:
Name and upbraid and denounce a' and sindry, but dinna delate to the Presbytery.Gsw. 1701 Rec. Burgh Gsw. (ed. Marwick 1908) 337:
. . . to observe if they find lights and company drinking in tavernes . . and delate them.Ayr. 1913 J. Service Memorables x.:
There was ane . . . was delatit at last and wirried at a stake for using charms on Hallowe'en.