Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
JUSTIFY, v. Also justifee. Sc. usage: to do justice upon, to punish, esp. to punish with death, to execute. Now only liter. and arch.Sc. 1815 Scott Waverley lxviii.:
Ony six o' the best of his clan will be willing to be justified in his stead.Gall. 1825 J. Denniston Legends Gall. 70:
Just ae bit wink that our landlord gied me, that let me ken there was help at hand, an' that I wadna be justified the day.Sc. 1894 Stevenson W. Hermiston v.:
Justifeed wi' seeven mair of the same name at Jeddart.Fif. 1897 W. Beatty Secretar I. 11:
Now I would gang . . . to the Grass Market to see some poor wretch justified.
