rescript
(ˈriːskrɪpt)
Also 7 pl. rescrips.
[ad. L. rescriptum, pa. pple. neut. of rescrībĕre to rescribe. Cf. F. rescrit, † rescript (13th c.).]
1. a. A decretal epistle from the Pope in reply to some question or difficulty referred to him; also, any Papal decision, decree, or edict.
| 1528 Gardiner in Burnet Rec. Ref. (ed. Pocock) I. 95 All such rescripts, breves, and bulls, as might conduce to the effectual definition..of the matter. 1574 Hellowes Gueuara's Fam. Ep. (1577) 287 With a rescript from Rome, they take degree of Bachelers, Licentiats, and Doctors. 1635 E. Pagitt Christianogr. ii. vi. 41 The summes of money which the Pope receiveth for first fruits, Palls, Indulgences, Bulls,..Rescrips,..cannot be counted. 1726 Ayliffe Parergon p. xvi, These Determinations [of the Popes] were stiled Rescripts or Decretal Epistles, having the Force of Laws. c 1750 Shenstone Ruin'd Abbey 136 The French tyrant, by the futile grant Of papal rescript, claim'd Britannia's throne. 1825 Syd. Smith Wks. (1867) II. 199 Let him read the rescript of pope Pius VI, of the 17th of June, 1791. 1868 Freeman Norm. Conq. (1877) II. x. 511 The rescript of Pope Leo required Eadward either to found a new, or to enlarge an old, monastery. |
b. (The original sense.) The reply sent by a Roman emperor to a magistrate or other person consulting him on a doubtful point of law or as to the action to be taken in particular circumstances.
| 1605 Camden Rem. 121 Men were not forbidden to change name or surname, by the rescript of Dioclesian. 1685 Stillingfl. Orig. Brit. ii. 56 Eusebius saith..That Hadrian, in his Rescript to Minutius..forbad a General Persecution of any as Christians. 1765 Blackstone Comm. I. 5 We must not prefer the edict of the praetor, or the rescript of the Roman emperor, to..the sanctions of an English parliament. 1827 Hare Guesses Ser. i. (1873) 118 In their rescripts and other ordinances, the Roman emperors spoke in the plural number. 1862 Draper Intell. Devel. Europe x. (1864) I. 309 On the arrival of the rescript of Theodosius the pagans laid down their arms. |
2. Any edict, decree, order, or formal announcement made by a ruler or governing body, or having an official character. (Common in 19th c.)
| 1545 Joye Exp. Dan. vi. 94 The kinge with publyk rescript and open recantacion confessinge his synne setteth forth the glory of god. 1610 Willet Hexapla Dan. 325 Artashasht..sent a rescript to hinder the building of the citie. 1652 Needham Selden's Mare Cl. 144 He would by no means determine ought contrary to those Laws by any Rescript of his own. 1716 J. Chamberlayne St. Gt. Brit. i. iii. x. 249 The two Senior Advocates..present him, with a short Latin Speech, and the Rescript of the Archbishop. 1765 Sterne Tr. Shandy VII. xxxiii, It was a commissary sent to me from the post-office, with a rescript in his hand, for the payment of some six livres. 1790 Beatson Nav. & Mil. Mem. I. 56 They prevailed on the Court of Versailles to publish their sentiments and intentions, which they did in a rescript. 1858 Times 29 Nov., The leaders obeyed the rescript, but punctuality is impossible to an Asiatic. 1870 Pall Mall Budget 27 Aug. 31/2 The Bavarian bishops have been forbidden by a rescript from the Minister of Public Worship to promulgate the dogma in any way. |
3. Something written over again; a rewriting.
| 1820 Lamb Elia Ser. i. Oxford in Vac., In the line just above that in which he is about to print his second name (his re-script). 1853 C. Brontë Villette xxxiii, I wrote it three times..subduing the phrases at every rescript. 1870 Swinburne Ess. & Stud. (1875) 88 Those glorious rescripts..which Surtees of Mainsforth passed off even upon Scott as genuine. |
b. Law. A duplicate or counterpart.
| 1843–56 Bouvier Law Dict. U.S. (ed. 6). |
4. A palimpsest writing.
| 1817 W. Taylor in Monthly Mag. XLIV. 326 The poetry was a rescript, and the parchment had originally served for a Cicero. |