{ it>or }, n. [ 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, sunjōn to justify, OS. sunnea impediment, OHG. sunna. ] 1. (Eng. Law) An excuse for not appearing in court at the return of process; the allegation of an excuse to the court. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Excuse; exemption. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

From every work he challenged essoin. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

Essoin day (Eng. Law), the first general return day of the term, on which the court sits to receive essoins. Blackstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ OF. essoinier, essoignier, essonier, LL. essoniare, exoniare. See Essoin, n. ] (Eng. Law) To excuse for nonappearance in court. “I 'll not essoin thee.” Quarles. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Eng. Law) An attorney who sufficiently excuses the absence of another. [ 1913 Webster ]