Chiefly Sc. Obs. [ad. L. testificāt-um (that which is) testified, subst. use of neut. pa. pple. of testificārī to TESTIFY.] A writing wherein a fact is attested; a certificate; spec. in Sc. Law: see quot. 1838.
1610. in Row, Hist. Kirk (Wodrow Soc.), 277. To requyre … a testificat of his conversation past, abilitie, and qualification for the function.
1620. Shelton, Quix. (1746), IV. xxxiii. 258. Which Testificate he desired.
1676. W. Row, Contn. Blair’s Autobiog., xi. (1848), 366. Throe testificates were sent over to the Committee.
a. 1722. Fountainhall, Decis. (1761), II. 394. A testificate being returned that there was no such thing to be found in their books.
1838. W. Bell, Dict. Law Scot., Testificate, was a solemn written assertion, not on oath, used in judicial procedure…. The term is now obsolete.
b. fig. Evidence, indication.
1590. Greene, Never too late (1600), 98. The wenches eyes are a testificate.
1637. Rutherford, Lett. (1862), I. 349. Take Christ’s testificate with you out of this life—‘Well done, good and faithful servant!’
1833. Galt, in Fraser’s Mag., VIII. 65. He gave a deep sigh, which was a testificate to me that the leaven of unrighteousness was still within him.
