Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun Extension; delay; postponement.
- noun Carriage; conveyance; transmission.
- noun Accusation or criminal information; specifically, interested accusation; secret or sinister denunciation.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun Obs. or Archaic Conveyance.
- noun (Law) Accusation by an informer.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun obsolete
Conveyance . - noun law
accusation by aninformer
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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“Only you know,” said Bothwell, still playing with the purse, “that every landholder is answerable for the conformity and loyalty of his household, and that these fellows of mine are not obliged to be silent on the subject of the fine sermon we have had from that old puritan in the tartan plaid there; and I presume you are aware that the consequences of delation will be a heavy fine before the council.”
Old Mortality 2004
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He is asked for the names of the priests also, but replies that delation is forbidden by the laws; they will be found easily enough in their respective cities.
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 4: Clandestinity-Diocesan Chancery 1840-1916 1913
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There was but one delation to the inquisitors, and, on Ignatius requesting a prompt settlement, the Inquisitor Ori told him proceedings were therewith quashed.
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 7: Gregory XII-Infallability 1840-1916 1913
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Whether or not delation of Christians occurred frequently during the era of persecution is not known, but taking into consideration the irrational hatred of the pagan population for Christians, it may safely be surmised that not a few Christians suffered martyrdom through betrayal.
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 9: Laprade-Mass Liturgy 1840-1916 1913
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An example of the kind related by St. Justin Martyr shows how swift and terrible were the consequences of delation.
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 9: Laprade-Mass Liturgy 1840-1916 1913
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Espionage, delation, quarrels between heads and tutors, rejection of
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 11: New Mexico-Philip 1840-1916 1913
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The means adopted for their aggrandizement are certainly not creditable to the princes of Moscow, who according to Rambaud, used intrigue, corruption, the purchase of consciences, servility toward the Tatars, assassination, and delation.
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 13: Revelation-Stock 1840-1916 1913
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Since he who could bring a criminal to justice received a fourth of his possessions and estates, and since it brought the accuser into prominence, delation was recklessly indulged in by the unscrupulous, both for the sake of gain and as a means of venting personal spite.
The Women of the Caesars Ferrero, Guglielmo, 1871-1942 1911
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That court is to try criminals sent to it by the National Assembly, or brought before it by other courses of delation.
Paras. 325-349 1909
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Sejanus had built up his power by fostering the system of delation.
The Crest-Wave of Evolution A Course of Lectures in History, Given to the Graduates' Class in the Raja-Yoga College, Point Loma, in the College-Year 1918-19 Kenneth Morris 1908
chained_bear commented on the word delation
"He felt stronger, more capable of dealing with most emergencies that might arise: delation, the sudden treachery of a captured or a double agent, even severe interrogation."
—Patrick O'Brian, The Surgeon's Mate, 332
Accusation.
February 9, 2008
jmjarmstrong commented on the word delation
JM has been informed that we are in danger of becoming a delation nation.
April 14, 2011