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.
Childbedlair, n. Also: chyldbedlare, -lair. [f. Childbedn. and Lair n. Cf. Cheldebedlair.] Childbed.1545 Acts & Decr. II. 30 b.
The said maister Thomas spous … in hir childbedlair … confessit … that scho had the said Margarettis money 1560 Rolland Seven S. 9965.
Twa ȝoung sonnis … The quhilkis his wife at ane burding them bair, At the last time scho was in childbedlair 1576 Oppress. Orkney 71.
His wyff … lyand in chyldbed lair 1576 Crim. Trials I. 54.
Sche being demandit, Gif sche culd do onye gude to ony wemene that wer in travell of thair chyld-bed-lare, ansuerit [etc.] 1602 Ib. II. ii. 395.
Sche is lyand in chyld-bed-lair 1619 Edinb. Test. L. 220 b.
I leave to Ionet Keir … the bed clathis quhilkis I vsed in chyldbedlair 1623 Perth Kirk S. in Strathbogie Presb. p. xii.
When I was lying in child bed lair, I was drawn forth from my bed to a dub near my house door in Dunning
