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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†FORFAULT, v. Also fore-. To forfeit, to deprive of rights or property, esp. as a penalty for treason. Arch. since 18th cent.Sc. 1710 Descr. Sheriffdom Lnk. and Rnf. (M.C.) 38:
He being therefor forfaulted for crimes committed against King James the Sixth.Sc. 1750 W. McFarlane Geneal. Coll. (S.H.S.) I. 8:
In King James 6th his Minority he was forefaulted and deprived of his living.Sc. 1795 Outlaw Murray in Child Ballads No. 305 A lxviii.:
If you be not traytour to the King, Forfaulted sall ye never be.Kcb. 1895 Crockett Moss-Hags xxiii.:
As for Earlstoun, we heard it was to be forfaulted very soon, and given to Robert Grier of Lag.

Hence 1. for(e)fa(u)ltur(e); for(e)faulter, foir-, forfeiture, deprivation of property as a penalty; 2. for(e)fa(u)ltry, id.; the property so forfeited.1. Sc. 1700 Gsw. Burgh Rec. (B.R.S.) 311:
The decreet of foirfaulter against the said laite marques by the heigh court of parliament.Sc. 1716 West-Country Intelligence (26–28 Jan.) 11:
Mr Keith, Brother to the Earl Marischal, has been sent to sollicit my Lord Haddo and others to repair to Perth, but without Success, tho' Forfaulture is threatned on the Refusal.Sc. 1753 Rec. Conv. Burghs (B.R.S.) 430:
The whole penaltys and forfaultures that are imposed by law upon such unfree traders.Hdg. 1844 J. Miller Lamp of Lth. 259:
Some of the next nearest heirs in line were for instituting a forfaulter of bastardy against him.2. Sc. 1712 R. Wodrow Corresp. (1842) I. 339:
We have a story here that the V[iscount] of Kilsyth hath got a gift of our forfaultries in this Synod.Sc. 1736 J. McUre View of Gsw. 351:
Disdaining the sentence of forfaultry pronounced against them by King and Parliament.Sc. 1750 W. McFarlane Geneal. Coll. (S.H.S.) II. 87:
The King . . . generously gratified each of them with Offices about his Court or Forefaultries, or matched them upon Heretrixes.