▪ I. decreet, n. Obs. or arch.
(dɪˈkriːt)
Forms: 4–5 decret, 5–7 decreit, decrete, 6– decreet.
[a. F. décret, or ad. L. dēcrēt-um: see decree n.]
† 1. An earlier form of the word decree, entirely Obs. in English, and in Sc. retained only as in b.
| c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. i. iv. 17 Þoruȝ her decretz and hire iugementys. c 1425 Wyntoun Cron. viii. v. 172 He gert þame þare decrete retrete, And all tyl wndo þaire sentens. 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 108 b/1 Lyke as it is had in the decrete. 1552 Abp. Hamilton Catech. (1884) 5 The decreet maid in our provincial counsale. 1571 Sat. Poems Reform. xxviii. 78 Aganis thair Cannoun Law thay gaif decreit. a 1605 Montgomerie Misc. Poems xxxii. 10 Nane dou reduce the Destinies decreit. |
b. Sc. Law. = decree 4 c. (The vernacular form in Sc.; now arch.)
| 1491 Sc. Acts Jas. IV (1597) §30 Within twentie daies after the decreet of the deliuerance be given there vpon. 1584 Sc. Acts Jas. VI (1597) §139 All decreetes giuen be quhatsumeuer Judges. 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 21 The effect of ane decreit given be Arbiters is, that it sall be obeyed, quhither it be just or nocht. 1752 in Scots Mag. June (1753) 287/2 He had procured a sist..against the decreet. 1812 Chalmers Let. in Life (1851) I. 272 The only effect of this decreet of the Court of Teinds. 1824 Scott Redgauntlet ch. ii, It went..just like a decreet in absence. 1833 Act 3–4 Will. IV, c. 46 §70 Such summary decreets and warrants. |
† 2. A decision, determination. Obs. rare.
| c 1400 Apol. Loll. 101 Chaunge þi decret, & do not þis þat þu hast vowid unwarly. c 1470 Henry Wallace viii. 630 This decret thar wit amang thaim fand; Gyff Wallace wald apon him tak the croun, To gyff battaill thai suld be redy boun. |
▪ II. † decreet, v. Obs.
(dɪˈkriːt)
Forms: see prec.
[a. F. décréte-r, f. décret decree. Only Sc. after 15th c.]
1. trans. To decree, order, ordain.
| c 1425 Wyntoun Cron. vi. iv. 72 He Decretyd hym þar Kyng to be. 1457 Sc. Acts Jas. II (1814) II. 48/1 It is decretyt & ordainyt þ{supt} wapinschawings be haldin be þe lords. 1491 Caxton Vitas Patr. (W. de W. 1495) i. xlix. 97 a/1 It is decreted by sentence dyuyne. c 1565 Lindesay (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot. (1728) 62 It is also..decreeted that all faithful men shall lay to their shoulders for expelling of thir common enemies. 1633 Sc. Acts Chas. I (1817) V. 42/2 Quhat they sall decreit and determine. |
2. To decide, determine, resolve (to do something).
| 1582–8 Hist. James VI (1804) 138 He decrettit to pas hame, and to leaue the Regent's company. |
3. intr. To pronounce a decision or judgement.
| 1563 Winȝet Wks. (1890) II. 30 Paraduentuir he..hes brestit out erar of a manlie passioun, than decretit be heuinlie ressoun. 1597 Montgomerie Cherrie & Slae 1324 Since ȝe ȝoursells submit To do as I decreit. 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 21 Be consent of the parties, the Arbiters may decreit as they please. Ibid. 65 Arbiters..may not decreit vpon ane halie day. |
Hence deˈcreeted ppl. a., decreed.
| 172. Wodrow Corr. (1843) II. 558 A Decreeted Non-juror. 1761 Hume Hist. Eng. II. xxx. 168 The more to pacify the king he showed to him..the decreted bull. |