glossary of archaic Scots terms P

Scotland - a glossary of archaic terms, as well as a number of Modern Scots words and phrases, useful for genealogical research. Legal terms, words linked to property and possessions, found in wills and testaments.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

PAIRT, bairnis, of gear, a child's share in a parent's estate, patrimony.

PAND or PANE, for a bed, the draperies for the frame of a bed, hence counterpane.

PARAPRIS, paraphrase.

PECES, pieces, title deeds ; or any article regarded singly.

PEKIS, pecks.

PENDICLE, appurtenance, thing hung on to, often a small portion of land.

PEPER, paper.

PESTE, pestelens, plag, plague, pestilence.

PETARES, petards (small explosive charge placed in wooden box e.g. to blow hole in wall, later firework).

PIER-MASTER, harbour-master.

PILGIT, a broil, a quarrel.

PINUT, pint.

PISTOLAT, A small pistol, also a coin of that name.

PLAG, plagis, plague(s).

PLANTATION OF KIRKS, establishing and providing for churches in the various parishes.

PLENISHING (insight, outsight, i.e., inside, outside), furniture of a house, stock on a farm or estate.

PLET SLEVIS, pleated sleeves.

PLEUGH, plough.

PLEY, plea, complaint at law.

PM'ES, promes, promise.

PNTLIE, contraction for " presently."

PNTS, contraction for " presents."

POCING IRON, poker.

POK VAD OF THE ROS, A. Pok, pocket; waid, a dye ; ros or rowse, a kind of cloth.

PORTION NATURAL, the share of a child in the estate of an intestate father. PORTIONER OF LAND, owner of a small bit of land.

PORTIONERS, heirs, daughters inheriting land jointly.

POT IRON, iron for setting the pot on.

POYNDING, attaching lands or goods for debt.

POYNDING, DECREET OF, judicial order for poynding.

PRECEPT OF CLARE CONSTAT OR SASINE. See s. Clare

constat.

PRESBYTERY (presbetrie), ecclesiastical court of the ministers and elders of a district of several parishes.

PRIMME, first, chief, prime.

PRINLL., contraction for " principal."

PRISARIS, apprisors, person who apprizes, puts up for sale to pay a creditor.

PRISIT, apprised.

PROCES, legal proceedings.

PROCREAT, begotten.

PROCURATOR, law agent or counsel.

PROPYN, gift or present.

PROSECUTION OF SIGNATURES. A signature is a warrant subscribed by the King for granting a charter. The prosecution may mean the following out or obtaining of such a warrant.

PROTOCOL, the first copy of an instrument, written by a notary in his protocol book.

PROTOMEDICUS, the chief doctor.

PRYDIT, provydit, provided.

PUNDIS, pounds.

PUPILLARITY, the state of being a pupil, i.e., between birth and fourteen years of age.

PURRING IRON, poker.

PURS, purse.

PURSUE, persew, to prosecute a suit.

PURSUER, plaintiff, complainer, in a law-suit.

TO INDEX

This glossary is under constant revision. We welcome all contributions of archaic terms linked to Scotland, that may be helpful in genealogical research. Please complete the SUGGESTIONS FORM with your ideas, additions and corrections. Thanks!

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