Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

A, num. Also: ae, ea. [Northern ME. ā (Southern ō), reduced form of ān Ane num. Nisbet writes aa, after ME. oo. Now ae.] One; a single.See also Gate n., Part n., Time n. 1375 Barb. ii. 339.
A thing will I to ȝow say Ib. iii. 429; etc.
In a nycht and in a day a1400 Leg. S. i. 458.
On a day Ib. xli. 294; etc.
Of a mylk and of a clath c1420 Wynt. viii. 4261.
The grettast a schype off thame all 1424 Acts II. 4/1.
Thar salbe rasyt a general ȝelde or ma 1456 Hay I. 298.
He has bot a citee in his contree c1460 Wisd. Sol. 623.
Sen al gais a gait to the erde 1496 Treas. Acc. I. 288.
The harpare with the a hand 1501 Thanes of Cawdor 112.
Within twenty a dayis … folowand 1513 Doug. xi. i. 124; etc.
Thy a son 1531 Bell. Boece I. 8.
Under a mind Ib. 146.
Baith of a blude 1551 Hamilton Cat. 211.
The sacrament of a breid and a coupe 1573 Sempill Sat. P. xlii. 559.
Paull … At a kirk did not ay remane 1590-1 Bruce Serm. Sacr. D viii (J).
Suppose Christ be ea thing in himselfe 1600-1610 Melvill 18.
Scho schew me a day … a ballet 1603 Stirling B. Rec. I. 104.
Befoir ae baillie & the clerk