obreption
(ɒˈbrɛpʃən)
[ad. L. obreptiōn-em a creeping or stealing upon, n. of action from obrēp-ĕre to creep up to, steal upon, f. ob- (ob- 1 a) + rēpĕre to creep. Cf. F. obreption (1457 orrepcion in Godef.).]
1. The obtaining or trying to obtain something by craft or deceit, spec. in Eccl. and Sc. Law, of a dispensation, gift, etc. by false statement. (Opp. to subreption, obtaining by suppression of truth.)
| 1611 Cotgr., Obreption, an obreption; the creeping, or stealing to a thing by craftie meanes. 1623 Cockeram, Obreption, a getting of things by craft. 1706 tr. Dupin's Eccl. Hist. 16th C. II. iv. xviii. 269 Dispensations..shall be invalid; if the Ordinaries..shall not first take..Cognizance of them, to see whether there is no Subreption or Obreption in their Petitions or Requests. 1752 M{supc}Douall Inst. Law Scot. II. iii. iii. i. 259 Checks against subreption or obreption, i.e. their being obtained by concealing the truth, or expressing a falshood. 1894 Month Mar. 391 If in a petition for a dispensation, there is a narrative or statement which is false, there is said to be obreption. |
† 2. A creeping or stealing upon one unawares.
| 1642 Cudworth Serm. 1 Cor. xv. 57 in Disc. Lord's Supp., etc. (1676) 81 Sudden incursions and obreptions, sins of mere ignorance and inadvertency. 1656 H. More Enthus. Tri. (1712) 3 The like obreptions or unavoidable importunities of Thoughts, which offer or force themselves upon the Mind. |