[ad. L. subreptio, -ōnem, n. of action f. subripĕre (var. surr-), f. sub- SUB- 24 + rapĕre to snatch. Cf. F. subreption, Sp. subrepcion, Pg. subrepção and see SURREPTION.]
1. a. Eccl. Law. The suppression of the truth or concealment of facts with a view to obtaining a faculty, dispensation, etc. (Opposed to obreption.)
1600. W. Watson, Decacordon (1602), 343. [The bulls] were procured either merily by subreption, or … false information.
1644. Bp. Hall, Modest Offer (1660), 9. Lest there should be any subreption in this Sacred business, it is Ordered, that these Ordinations should be no other than solemn.
1706. trans. Dupin’s Eccl. Hist. 16th C., II. III. xx. 361. Having a Power of enquiring into all Subreptions, Obreptions, or defects of Intention.
1728. Chambers, Cycl., s.v., Subreption differs from Obreption, in that Obreption is a false Expression of the Quality of a Thing or Fact, &c. And Subreption, a want of Expression.
1761. Challoner, in E. H. Burton, Life (1909), II. xxiv. 26. Purely in consideration of your request (tho’ I apprehended he had obtained it by subreption) I consented to give him those faculties.
1876. trans. Hergenröther’s Cath. Ch. & Chr. State, II. 160. His rescript … may have been obtained … by obreption … and by subreption.
1894. Month, March, 391. If in a petition for a dispensation … it is the truth that is suppressed … there is said to be subreption.
b. Sc. Law. The act of obtaining gifts of escheat by suppression of the truth.
1752. McDouall, Inst. Law Scot., II. III. III. i. 259. All rights of escheats … are granted by signatures or gifts from the crown, which may be stopt at their passing the seals, those being checks against subreption or obreption, i. e. their being obtained by concealing the truth, or expressing a falshood.
1838. W. Bell, Dict. Law Scot., Subreption, the obtaining gilts of escheat, &c. by concealing the truth.
C. A fallacious or deceptive representation; an inference derived from such a misrepresentation.
1865. J. H. Stirling, Sir W. Hamilton, 47. Hamilton has long been aware of the inconveniences of sense. What are called its subreptions, its mistakes, blunders, errors [etc.].
1877. Winchell, Reconcil. Sci. & Relig., ix. 259. This form of expression is inexact, and opens the way to logical subreptions and other fallacious procedures.
1892. Independent (N. Y.), 21 July. This remark about ‘climbing from a lower estate to a higher,’ is one of those neat little subreptions which sentimental recruits employ to deceive themselves.
1906. Hibbert Jrnl., July, 793. There is a subreption also in the use of the term ‘thought’; it truly refers to thought as a psychological process, but is taken as if it referred to thought as a metaphysical fact.
† 2. Sudden or unforeseen attack, as of temptation.
1632. Sanderson, Serm. (1674), II. 18. Miscarrying through his own negligence, incogitancy, or other subreption. Ibid. (1634), Two Serm., ii. (1635), 64. Strength of temptation, sway of passion, or other distemper or subreption incident to humane frailty. Ibid. (1640), Serm. (1674), II. 144. We … break with him oftentimes through humane frailty and subreption.
a. 1658. Farindon, Serm. (1672), II. 603. To sin by ignorance or subreption, to feel those sudden motions and perturbations, those ictus animi, those sudden blows and surprisals of the mind.
