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.
VERITY, n. Sc. †usage in phr. of verity, true, used specif. in the older form of criminal indictment which was expressed as a syllogism (see quot.), superseded in 1887. The formula ran, “Yet true it is and of verity, that you the said A. B. are guilty of . . .” (see e.g. Sc. 1765 Trial of K. Nairn (Roughhead 1926) 70, 1857 Trial of M. Smith (Jesse 1927) 41). For oath of verity, see Oath, n., 6.
