ESSOIGN
Es*soin" or Es*soign, n. Etym: [OF. essoine, essoigne, F. exoine, L.
essonia, exonia; pref. ex- (L. ex from) + sunnis, sunnia, sonia,
hindrance, excuse. Cf. Icel. syn refusal, synja to deny, refuse,
Goth. sunja truth, sunjon to justify, OS. sunnea impediment, OHG.
sunna.]
1. (Eng. Law)
Definition: An excuse for not appearing in court at the return of process;
the allegation of an excuse to the court.
2. Excuse; exemption. [Obs.]
From every work he challenged essoin. Spenser.
Essoin day (Eng. Law), the first general return day of the term, on
which the court sits to receive essoins. Blackstone.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition