† ˈscio1 Obs.
[Subst. use of L. scio I know.]
At Oxford University: The formal testimony, by a member of the faculty, to the fitness of a candidate for a degree. Also, a person who gives this testimony.
Before a candidate could proceed to a degree, a certain number of members of his faculty had to ‘depone’ secretly to the Vice-Chancellor in favour of his fitness with regard to conduct and learning. Nine were required in Arts, three in the other faculties. The Vice-Chancellor put the question to each in Latin, and the answer was given in the word ‘Scio’, ‘Credo’, or ‘Nescio’.
| 1664 Wood Life (O.H.S.) II. 16, I gave a scio for Sr. Boen and Sr. [Henry] Knap of Merton Coll. 1681 Ibid. 518 The scio's taken in Adam Brom's chapel. 1711 Hearne Collect. (O.H.S.) III. 278 His Scios were D{supr} Turner [etc.]. |