Forms: see QUIT a. and CLAIM v. Also 5 quik-, quicke-. [a. AF. and OF. quiteclamer, -claimer, f. quite QUIT, clear, free, etc. + clamer to proclaim, declare (see CLAIM v. 6). In later use associated with QUIT v. and CLAIM sb. (see 2 b).]
† 1. To declare (a person) free; to release, acquit, discharge, etc. Obs.
c. 1314. Guy Warw. (A.), 6654. Þai ben out of prisoun y-gon Oþer quite-cleymed ichon.
c. 1450. Merlin, 19. Quod Merlyn, ‘Thow haste quyte claymed [printed clayned] my moder….’ Quod the Iuge, ‘It is soth.’
1456. Sir G. Haye, Law Arms (S.T.S.), 167. He suld be content thai quite clamand him in tyme tocum.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., VI. ii. 14. Neither will I Him charge with guilt, but rather doe quite clame.
1609. Skene, Reg. Maj., 23 b. Everie frie man, haueand natiue bond-men, may quiteclame and make them frie.
2. To renounce, resign, give up (a possession, claim, right, pursuit, etc.).
13[?]. Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 293. I quit clayme hit for euer, kepe hit as his auen.
c. 1400. Sege Jerus. (E.E.T.S.), 28/504. Þat querel y quik cleyme.
1480. Bury Wills (Camden), 66. To reles and quyteclayme all their right, title, and interest in the seid maner.
1508. Dunbar, Flyting, 62. Quytclame clergie, and cleik to the ane club.
1560. Rolland, Crt. Venus, II. 741. For ay mirth clenlie I quitclame.
1639. Drumm. of Hawth., Mem. State, Wks. (1711), 130. Whether a subject may … give over and quit-claim all right and title [etc.].
1760. T. Hutchinson, Hist. Mass. (1765), I. 89. Having sold or quit-claimed … a tract for a plantation.
1809. Bawdwen, Domesday Bk., 2. The land … which Hugo the Sheriff quitclaimed to Walcherus.
1885. W. Ross, Aberdour & Inchcolme, ii. 39. He quitclaims the land of Leyis to the Monastery.
b. With quit taken as verb. Const. to.
a. 1706. Howe, in Spurgeon, Treas. Dav., Ps. xii. 4. We must quit claim to ourselves and look on God as our owner.
1809. R. Langford, Introd. Trade, 108. I, A. B. … having remissed, released, and for ever quit claim to C. D. … of all … debts.
1886. Fox Bourne, Eng. Merchants, I. 66. Having … remitted and quitted claim to the king for all … debts.
Hence Quitclaiming vbl. sb.
1472–3. Rolls Parlt., VI. 45/1. For that knowelache, remisyng, quiteclaymyng … the seid William … graunted … the seid maners.
