[f. prec., or UN-2 3, 7.]
† 1. trans. (also absol.) To fine, amerce. Sc. Obs.
14[?]. in Sc. Acts Parlt. (1844), I. 710/2. Item … to his [sc. the justice’s] clerk for jik man vnlawit or sald, ij s.
1491. [see the vbl. sb.].
1508. Reg. Privy Seal Scotl., I. 244/2. That nane of ȝow presume to call, geif sentence, unlaw,… the said Johnne.
1564. Reg. Privy Council Scot., I. 307. [He] wes unlawit in the soum … of ane thowsand markis.
1613. in R. M. Fergusson, A. Hume (1899), 199. The counsall … have … unlawit the said Adam … for his said offence.
1678. Sir G. Mackenzie, Crim. Laws Scot., II. xiii. § 3. A Barron may unlaw for Absence, for ten Pounds.
1710. in J. J. Vernon, Par. & Kirk Hawick (1900), 203. [They] were each of them … fyned and onlawed in egregious ryotts.
1732. J. Louthian, Form of Process, 295. The several Sheriff Deputes,… if any be absent,… are unlawed in 100 Merks each.
† b. intr. To pay a fine. Obs.–1
1692. in W. Hector, Judic. Rec. Renfrew (1876), 54. Ilk ane o them ought to unlaw to the Pror.-Fiscal.
2. trans. To annul (a law). Also refl. rare.
1644. Milton, Areop. (Arb.), 76. That also … no law can possibly permit, that intends not to unlaw it self.
1654. Cromwell, Sp., 12 Sept. (Carlyle). Of what assurance is a Law to prevent so great an evil, if it lie in the same Legislature to unlaw it again?
Hence Unlawing vbl. sb.
1491. Acta Dom. Audit. (1839), 164/1. Þe vnlawing of þe said alexr. blare.
1511. Reg. Privy Seal Scotl., I. 351/2. That thai desist … fra all … unlawing, forfaltin and proceding agains the said David.
1651. N. Bacon, Disc. Govt. Eng., II. xxvii. 213. The King hath a power of Lawing, and Unlawing in Christs kingdome.
