Dictionaries of the Scots Language
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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

TENOR, n.¹ Sc. Law: the wording of a document, the express contents of a deed, gen. in phr. proving the tenor, an action in law to re-establish the text or purport of a document which has been lost or destroyed.Sc. 1707 Morison Decisions 15811:
In the great fire in the meal-market, the 3d of February 1700, these rights among his other papers are burnt; whereupon he raises a proving of the tenor.Sc. 1838 W. Bell Dict. Law Scot. 798:
The terms of a deed which has been lost or destroyed may be proved in an action peculiar to the Court of Session, called an action of proving the tenor. The tenor of the deed must be proved to the Court by writing, or by the oath of the granter, or by witnesses.Sc. 1920 Session Cases 210:
The jurisdiction of the Sheriff Court does not cover actions of proving the tenor.