v. Chiefly Sc. Obs. Also 6–9 exeem(e, 7 exeime, exime. [ad. L. exim-ĕre, f. ex- out + emĕre to take. For the phonology cf. redeem.]
1. trans. To set free, release: a. from a payment, an obligation, from obedience to (a law, rule, etc.); = EXEMPT v. 4 a and b.
1563. Davidson, Answ. Kennedy, in Wodr. Soc. Misc. (1844), 251. The Gentiles that belevis is exemit fra the Law of Moyses.
1639. Procl. Chas. I. Scotl., 2. [We] eximed all ministers at their entry from giving any other oath then [etc.].
a. 1657. Sir J. Balfour, Ann. Scot. (1824–5), II. 28. All knowen merchants … wer exeimed from taking this othe.
1733. P. Lindsay, Interest Scot., 174. So many of them [foreign Materials] as are used at publick Bleach-fields, should be exeemed from the Payment of Duty.
1814. Scott, Wav., xii. He hath no title to be exeemed from the obligations of the code of politeness.
b. from pain, a penalty, etc.; also simply; = EXEMPT v. 4 c.
1578. in Spottiswood, Hist. Ch. Scot., VI. (1677), 299. Nor doth it agree with the Scripture that they should be exeemed from the correction of their brethren.
1585. Commend. Verses, in Jas. I.’s Ess. Poesie (Arb.), 10. My minde exemed was from caire.
1637. Gillespie, Eng.-Pop. Cerem., II. vii. 29. His Majesties Auctority, did … exeeme the affirmers from the paines of probation.
1647. H. More, Song of Soul, II. III. IV. ii. It no man can exeem from miseries.
1716. J. Row, in Wodrow Corr. (1843), II. 135. He had paid his cess; yet this exeemed him not.
2. To take away, remove; also, to select, except from; = EXEMPT v. 1, 2.
a. 1605. Montgomerie, Misc. Poems, xvii. 59. Beuties freshest florish, fair, Exemed clene from Loves lair.
1640. R. Baillie, Canterb. Self-Convict., 62. They exeeme all tenets controverted this day among any Christians, from being the Subject of heresie.
a. 1651. Calderwood, Hist. Kirk (1843), II. 342. She did what she could to exeme all feare and doubts out of his minde.
1688. Ess. on Magistracy, in Harl. Misc. (1808), I. 5. Express liberty is a stipulation, whereby some things are by express paction eximed from the power of the Sovereign.
