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.
†DEMEMBER, v. Also demembrat. To dismember, to mutilate, to deprive (of a member of the body).Sc. a.1714 in Earls of Cromartie (ed. Fraser 1876) II. 505:
Harald, rebelling against his brother, wes by him tacken, and is demembred of his eyes and genitals.Rnf. 1709 W. Hector Judiciat Rec. (1876–78) I. 71:
He did threaten (but any Just provocation) to demembrat the said Complainer.
Hence demembration, (1) mutilation; the cutting off of a limb (Sc. 1748 Acts Parl. 21 Geo. II. c. 19. 7); (2) in Sc. law: “applied to the offence of maliciously cutting off, or otherwise separating any limb, or member, from the body of another” (Sc. 1890 Bell Dict. Law Scot. 311).(1) Sc. 1754 J. Erskine Princ. Law Scot. i. iii. 11:
Where the falsehood is alleviated by favourable circumstances, the Lords themselves inflict the punishment by imprisonment, fine, etc. but where it deserves death or demembration, they, after finding the crime proved, remit the criminal to the Court of Justiciary.
