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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.

Ape, Aip, n. Also: ayp, aep, eap, ep; naip. [ME. ape, OE. apa.]

1. An ape, monkey. Also ape ledar (= leader).a1500 Colk. Sow i. 66 (a berward and ane aip ledar). a1500 Henr. Fab. 896 (baith otter and aip). c1515 Asl. MS. I. 170/7 (oliphantis, tygris, and apis). c1500-c1512 Dunb. liv. 6 (tute mowit lyk an aip; M. aep). 1535–6 Treas. Acc. VI. 262 (for ane ayp to the king). 1561 Inv. Wardrobe 127 (a tapestrie of the historie of aippis). a1605 Montg. Flyt. 505 (elfes, aips, and owles). 1600 Hamilton Facile Tr. 411 (thai ar lyk eapis, wha imitatis the actions of men). 1630 Misc. Hist. Soc. II. 253 (the ep lovis hir ȝowng onis). 1659 Nicoll Diary 227 (ane lytill baboun, faced lyke unto a naip).

2. A silly or foolish person; a fool.a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 36 (ignorant elf, aip, owll). 1513 Doug. vi. Prol. (o hald ȝour pace, ȝe verray goddis apis). 15.. Clar. iv. 254 (lath ware myne awthore to be maid thair aip). a1568 Scott xxxiv. 32 (to frawd thay silly aipis). a1605 Montg. Flyt. 87 T. (auld vnsell aip).