Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A bailiff or sheriff: in the Dutch settlements in America this officer corresponded nearly to a sheriff, but had some functions resembling those of a municipal chief justice.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • There was one officer called a schout, very much the same as a mayor is in these days.

    The Story of Manhattan Charles Hemstreet

  • The schout came from the hill frome those that hoped no victorie upone the Engliss parte; the schout ryses, (we say,) "Thei flye, thei flie;" but at the first it could nott be beleved, till at the last it was clearlie sein, that all had gevin backis, and then begane a cruell slawchtter, (which was the greattar be reassone of the lait displeasur of the men of armes.)

    The Works of John Knox, Vol. 1 (of 6) John Knox

  • He sent the schout-fiscal as a prisoner to Holland, which was a foolish thing for him to do.

    The Story of Manhattan Charles Hemstreet

  • Then came the schout-fiscal, who worked still harder, being half sheriff, half attorney-general, and all customs officer.

    The Story of Manhattan Charles Hemstreet

  • This did not worry the schout-fiscal much, as he had not been paid his salary in three years!

    The Story of Manhattan Charles Hemstreet

  • Many of the colonists did not take kindly to Governor Van Twiller's methods, and among them was Van Dincklagen, the schout-fiscal.

    The Story of Manhattan Charles Hemstreet

  • Stuyvesant allowed the burgomasters and schepens to nominate their successors, but the city did not have a schout of its own until 1660.

    The Land We Live In The Story of Our Country Henry Mann

  • He told the schout-fiscal not to expect any more salary, that it would be stopped from that minute.

    The Story of Manhattan Charles Hemstreet

  • Thus, he made a new fort of earthen banks with stone bastions, enclosing within its walls not only the soldier's barracks, but also at first the governmental residence and public offices; he also built several windmills and the first church which was used solely as such, as well as houses for the dominie and for the schout-fiscal.

    II. The Dutch Town under the First Three Directors. 1626-1647. 1906

  • For nearly a year the city was suffered to retain its old form of government; then the schout, schepens, and burgomasters were changed for sheriff, aldermen mayor, and justices.

    IV. New Amsterdam becomes New YorkThe Beginning of English Rule. 1664-1674. 1906

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