obreption

English

Etymology

From Latin obreptio, from obrepo, obreptum (“to creep up to”), from ob (see prefix ob-) + repo (“to creep”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /əbˈɹɛpʃən/, /ɒbˈɹɛpʃən/

Noun

obreption (plural obreptions)

1. (obsolete) The act of creeping upon with secrecy or by surprise.
   • 1678, R[alph] Cudworth, The True Intellectual System of the Universe: The First Part; wherein All the Reason and Philosophy of Atheism is Confuted; and Its Impossibility Demonstrated, London: […] Richard Royston, […], →OCLC:

     […] the irregularities of the first motions, violent assaults, and importunities of temptations, sudden incursions, and obreptions, sins of mere ignorance and inadvertency […]

2. (Scots law, obsolete) Act of obtaining gifts of escheat by fraud or surprise.
   • 1826, ‎Mungo Ponton Brown, Supplement to the Dictionary of the Decisions of the Court of Session, page 390:

     In Mr John Maitland's action against Cardross, (vide 17th instant,) the Lords repelled Cardross's allegeances founded upon the impetrating of the gift of eschat from his Majesty by obreption expresso mendacio, or subreption celata veritate; because it appeared that there was a competition made by Cardross before the gift was past in Exchequer, and this same objection was made against it, that it was impetrated viis et modis;

3. (Catholic law) The inclusion of false statements in a petition for a rescript.
   • 1918, Henry Amans Ayrinhac, Marriage Legislation in the New Code of Canon Law, page 103:

     A dispensation from a minor impediment is not vitiated by obreption or subreption, even though the final cause alleged be false.

Coordinate terms

• subreption