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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

INTIMATION, n.

1. As in Eng.: formal notification or announcement. This usage is now tending to be confined to Scot., esp. as applied to pulpit announcements. Gen.Sc.Fif. 1704 L. Macbean Kirkcaldy Burgh Rec. (1908) 222:
Intimation of the said instructions to be made through the town by touck of drumb, and intimation on Sunday next from the pulpit or lectern.Sc. 1830 Scott O. Mortality Intro.:
As soon as his body was found, intimation was sent to his sons at Balmaclellan.Sc. 1858 J. W. Carlyle Letters (1883) II. 393:
My acknowledgment of the intimation of her uncle's death.Fif. 1864 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin viii.:
Did ye no hear Mr Gowlanthump gie oot the intimation?Kcb. 1900 Crockett Stickit Minister's Wooing 354:
An intimation read out in the Machermore Kirk of the Marrow to the following effect.m.Sc. 1917 O. Douglas Setons x.:
His daughter implored him to remember the “intimations,” and to be sure to put in that there was a Retiring Collection for the Aged and Infirm Ministers' Fund.Sc. 1932 W. D. Cocker Poems 58:
Ae Sawbath a wee, perjink preacher appeared, “As regairds intimations?” o' Johnie he speired.

†2. Sc. Law: an official notice given to persons concerned of something required of them and the penalty to be incurred in case of default. Phr. letters of (for) intimation, notification given to a prosecutor that he is required to bring a prisoner held in custody to trial under the Act anent Wrongous Imprisonment of 1701.Sc. 1732 J. Louthian Form of Process 59:
Craving Precepts or Letters of Intimation, for intimating to his Majesty's Advocate . . . to fix a Day for his Trial, within Sixty Days next after the Intimation, under the Pains and Certifications contained in the Act of Parliament 1701.Sc. 1904 A. M. Anderson Crim. Law 245:
[Prior to 1887] every person committed to prison for crime could, by written petition, apply to a competent judge for intimation to the prosecutor, calling on him within sixty days to fix a diet for trial. The judge, within twenty-four hours, had to issue letters for intimation.