Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
UNIVERSAL, adj. Sc. Law usage: pertaining to the whole of an estate or property, specif. of an executor who takes custody of all the effects of a deceased or of an heir-at-law who orig. took over the total rights, obligations, assets and liabilities of his predecessor.Sc. 1722 W. Forbes Institutes I. iii. 73:
The Transmission of Property to universal Successors, is termed Succession.Sc. 1742 Morison Decisions 5499:
He nominated and appointed John, his eldest son, his executor and universal legatary.Sc. 1790 Nairne Peerage Evidence (1873) 99:
The said Margt Mercer to be my sole executor and universal intromitter.Sc. 1838 W. Bell Dict. Law Scot. 951:
Where a person dies intestate, his heir succeeds to the whole of his heritage by the universal title of heir.Sc. 1880 J. Skelton Crookit Meg ii.:
Though the defender had only intromittit wi' a little timber bed and a pint stoup which pertained to the defunct, yet was she liable as Universal Intromissatrix.Sc. 1896 W. K. Morton Manual 114:
Heir means the heir-at-law, who in old law took as universal successor of his ancestor.Sc. 1933 Encycl. Laws Scot. XIV 105:
One succeeding by inheritance, whether of line or provision, has a general or universal title to represent his predecessor.
