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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 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Ly-day, n. Also: lye-. [Ly v. 14 and 15: cf. mod. Eng. lay-day (1845), = 1 below.] 1. One of a certain number of days allowed according to the charter-party for the loading and unloading of a ship's cargo.Also, a day or days during which a ship is lying in harbour for loading or unloading, not so allowed. 1501 Treas. Acc. II. 101.
Payit to the Inglis that tha laid doun for losing of Will Merymouthis bote, quhen scho straik on ground, and lading of the samyn, and for the renuncyng of thair ly dayis iij li. iij s. vjd. 1565 Edinb. B. Deeds 161.
The samin schippis … to ly at the said porttis … fouretene fair wark ly dayis efter thair said arriving … and gif thai ly attour … the ly dayis abone specifeit … for deliuering of the said … malt … the said Johne … to pay … for euerie day salang as thai ly efter the ly dayis [20 s.] 1589-1600 Skipper's Acc. (Morton) 73 a.
Reseuet for my ly dayes of my marchant ine the Rochell xii crounis 1657 Hibbert P. No. 20.
I could not haue tyme to get it brought out of the skerris jn respect of short lye dayis 1674 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Deeds I. 514.
[The said Patrick … is to load the said boat, 4 days being allowed for loading, and for every day over the said 4 days the said Patrick is to pay £3 Scots] for ilk day called ly dayes 1697 Fountainhall Decis. I. 763.

2. One of a certain number of days during which a mill is allowed to lie idle. 1671 Haddington B. Rec. (Robb) 8 Nov.
The counsall haveing taken to thair consideration the prejudice sustenit throw thair allowance ȝeirlie to the taksmen of the mylnes of severall ly dayes, … have inacted … that na ly dayes is to be allowit, except dam heids throw vehement storms brek ont