Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

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

Ly, v. Also: lye, lie, li-, (lyth-); and Lay and Ley. P.t. lay(e, la, ley. P.p. lyin(e, -en, ly(e)ing, lien, line, lyn(e, leyn. [ME. liȝen, ly-, lien, lyne, li(e, ly (also liggen, etc.), p.t. laiȝ, lei, lai, lay, pl. laien, etc., p.p. y-, ileie(n, -leyen, -lay, -ly, layn(e, laine, lien, lyen, lin(e, lyn(e, OE. licgan, pres. t. 2 sing. liᵹest, líst, 3 sing. liᵹeþ, líþ, p.t. sing. læᵹ, pl. lǽᵹon, etc., p.p. (ᵹe) leᵹen. (Cf. Lig v.)]

1. intr. Of persons or animals: To be in a prostrate or recumbent position; also, to lie dead. Absol. or with complements expressing a condition or attitude, as to ly dede, on grufe, etc. Also fig.For further examples of (2), see Buller v.¹ 1, Dede a. 1 and 4, Flatlingis adv., Grouf n., Laich adv. 2, Law adv. 1 b, etc.(1), (a) 1375 Barb. v. 647.
Quhen the King saw thai war ded, All thre lyand Ib. xvii. 647, etc. ?1438 Alex. i. 1336.
He … sic dyntis about him dang … That nane was na he gart him ly Ib. ii. 4056.
The ladyes … on the walles … Lay to behald the semble Ib. 4314, 8963; c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 1692. 1456 Hay II. 160/34.
He saw the Jow lyand in a slade in the way a1500 Prestis of Peblis 284.
Quhen the lele man in the lak wil ly a1500 K. Hart 590.
Get vp, no langarly c 1500 Rathen Manual 28/1.
Sittande, standande, gangande, lyande a1540 Freiris Berw. 218.
Quhair he had roume aneuche that he micht ly 1567 G. Ball. 60.
Hope says get vp, than langour on me lyis a1578 Pitsc. II. 80/24; Ib. 81/16, 17, 18.
Quhair the bischopis might ly on the wallis and sie the sacriefice(b) a1400 Leg. S. xviii. 974.
Vpe fra the erde, quhare than la I, I wald nocht ryse 1535 Stewart 20724.
The mother … To eithir child that la into hir arme(c) 1560 Rolland Seven S. 4365.
This foull tyke … Vpon our bed hes lyne 1568 Hosack Mary Q. of Scots 538.
Eftir that the corps had lyne certane dayis in the chapell(2) 1375 Barb. xix. 552.
Ane Ynglis man, that lay bekand Hym by a fyre a1400 Leg. S. x. 89.
He … gerte thai serpentis ly al still As slepande Ib. xxiv. 212.
In care hed scho lay ay done 1513 Doug. vi. ii. 145.
Onerdyt lyis of new the ded body 1535 Stewart 38916.
The Kent men … La deid als thik as euir la scheip in fold 1528 Lynd. Dreme 173.
The men of kirk lay boundin in to byngis 1530 Id. Test. Pap. Title.
Our souerane lordis papyngo … quhilk lyith sore woundit 1662 Crim. Trials III. 610.
He will lye als hewie wpon ws. quhan he hes carnall dealling with ws, lyk an maltseckefig. 1670 Lauder Jrnl. 229.
The House of Commons who have lyen verie heavy upon his loines

b. In special applications with adverbs.To ly (= lean) abak, one, to ly (at) under (= overthrown), in under (= underneath).(1) 1549 Compl. 41/9.
The marynalis began to heis vp the sail, cryand, heisau, heisau, … ly a bak, ly a bak, lang suak, lang suak(2) 1529 Descr. Orchad. 31 in a1603 Tract. Leg. Naval.
The halder of the pleuche lyes one with his syde one the pleuche(3) c1500-c1512 Dunb. l. 23.
He hes att warslingis beine ane hunder, Ȝett lay his body nevir at wnder a1652 Dickson Psalms II. 60.
When the godly are oppressed the truth of religion [etc.] … do lie at under, like a fallen standard Ib. 119.
To see the righteous lie under(4) 15.. Clar. v. 1180.
So monie of them thair steidis lay in under

2. To lie in the grave, be buried; also, to remain still in the grave, ‘lie quiet’.For further examples, see Graf n., Kirk n. 1 b (2), Law adv. 1 b (2).(1) 1380 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 76.
Heyr lyis Ingram of Kethenys prist a1400 Leg. S. ii. 368.
His body … That sa lange had lyne in clay 1411 Ayr Friars Pr. Chart. 45.
For the sawle of qwhilum Alis Cambell his wyffe that liis in the hous of the Freris Prechouris beforsaid a1500 Henr. Deid Pollis 31.
As we ly thus, so sall ȝe ly ilk ane a1538 Abell 106 b.
He deit in Scotland & liys in the blak freris of striwiling 1562-3 Winȝet I. 78/14. Etc.(2) a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 317.
Thy elderis banis ilk nycht ryssis … Thow art the caus thay may noth rest nor ly

3. To lie, as in bed, for rest or sleep, or in sickness. Also with complement of manner or condition. Also fig.Also to ly (over) in security, to sleep soundly.For further examples, see Bed n. 1, Bedfast a., Bedrall a. 1, Chalmer n. 1, Cheldbed lare n., Jesing n., etc.(1) 1375 Barb. vi. 86*.
His twa men bad he than in hy Ga to thair feris to rest and ly a1400 Leg. S. xl. 434.
Niniane … wente To se his catel … & how thai lay a1500 Seven S. 1995.
He said gar grath my bed to ly To rest for trewly tyrit am I c1520-c1535 Nisbet Matth. viii. 14.
Jesus … saw his wyues moder liand and schakin with feueris a1540 Freiris Bew. 118.
Thus in the loft latt I thir freiris ly c1552 Lynd. Mon. 4713.
Quhen that he lyis for tyll de a1568 Bann. MS. 158 b/82.
This Gilly hatchett … fyndis ane mene to ly still and his maistir pleis 1597 Crim. Trials I. ii. 492.
Quhair he was lyand in his bed taking the nychts rest 1636 Brechin Test. V. 203.
The bed claythis that they ly intill 1649 Sc. N. & Q. Ser. III. 123.
Betie … said to … her husband, Lye still a while with me(2) 1375 Barb. ix. 105.
Quhill that he ves Liand in-till sic seiknes a1400 Leg. S. xvi. 312.
Thu in chuchis & silkine clathis Lyis ful softe 1456 Hay I. 301/26.
The knychtis … lay hard, and mare in harnes na in fethir beddis 1489 Treas. Acc. I. 114.
To … the gunnar that wes lyande seik 1528 Lynd. Dreme 66.
I … Hade lyne walking 1535 Stewart 55907.
Scho … hed lever Ane nycht naikit into his armes ly Na [etc.] 1633 Coll. Witchcraft 115.
When she was lying in of a bairnfig. c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxxviii. 12.
Quhen that my curage sleipeing lyis(3) 1638 Henderson Serm. 66.
These many years past ye have lien in security, and ye have made a covenant with hell 1605-6 Welsh Serm. 317.
The saints of God will … oft times … fall sound asleep, and lie over in security for awhile Ib. 311, 327. Ib. 328.
The soul that is filled with consolation hath no need of it [the promise of God's mercy], and the soul that is lying in security, and not wakened, cannot apply it

b. To keep one's bed; esp. to be confined to bed with illness. ?1438 Alex. ii. 10899.
Porrus come furth that lang had lyne c1475 Wall. vi. 242.
Hesilrige thocht it was na tyme to ly 1596 Dalr. II. 408/28.
Quhen hot schort he had lyne the x of July he departed this lyfe 1631 Justiciary Cases I. 169.
Ane grevous … sualling … quhairin he had lyne be the space of threttie oulkis of befoir 1638 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 183.
[The minister] is now fallen in a frenzie, and hes lyen under the phisicians hands ane quarter of a year 1650 Strathbogie Presb. 121.
That he had lyen … six weekis … yet never comforted by the minister his visit

c. To lie, for sexual intercourse, by, also besyd, or with a lover, or in lichory, adultré, etc. Also to ly by, to have a concubine, be an adulterer.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xxxi. 343.
Scho … prayt hym for to ly Thane in-to bed hyr by c1420 Wynt. ii. 337 (C).
Scho walde haf gert hym lyin [L. lyne, R. ly] hir by Ib. vi. 489 (R).
Hyr cubiculare By hyr lay, and gat a harne Ib. ii. 1012, viii. 6974, etc. c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2975.
Quhen thay, at lenth, had lyin hir by, Scho slew thame allabsol. 1571 Sat. P. xxviii. 28.
My father was ane erle and had ane wyfe, Thocht he abusit his body and lay by(2) c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 2838.
That thow Cum and ly heir besyd me now(3) c1420 Wynt. ii. 1411.
Bot gyff thai sped thame hame but let That othire suld … ly with thame in ful delite Ib. vi. 1639.
In to bede wyth hyr he lay 1482 Fam. Rose 147.
[To] ly with him as scho war his lauchfull wiff 1533 Gau 16/6.
Thay … that lys wit[h] thair kine and bluid 1535 Stewart 57840.
Thair fatheris … With Scottis ladeis liggit than and la 1543 Reg. Privy S. III. 45/1.
The tyme he lay and intromettit with Elizabeth Strathauchin his wiffe 1562 Dumfries & Gall. Soc. XV. 332.
She had lying with the vardane of the freirs … and had broken matermony 1674 Kingarth Par. Rec. 93.
That Donald M'Couk sould have lyn in bed scandalously with Cristine Rodger 1690 Cramond Kirk S. III. 6 Feb.
Why he had bragged befor company, that he had lyen carnally with her? 1692 Kingarth Par. Rec. 163.
Hold your peace or else I will ly with you(4) c1450-2 Howlat 227.
The Sparrowe Wenus … Lyand in lichory a1538 Abell 124 b.
[He] lay in adultre mony ȝeris 1560 Rolland Seven S. 3448.
My wife … on hir lufe lyand in harlatrie a1568 Bann. MS. 286 b/11.
Thocht in lust of lufe sum lyis … lang without remeid to rys Ib. 287 b/17.

4. To have one's sleeping quarters, to spend the night, be quartered, sojourn, lodge temporarily (in a place, etc.).To ly out, thereout, to spend the night out of doors, to be unhoused. To ly (up) on land. (of seamen) to spend the night ashore.(1) 1375 Barb. i. 358.
The byschop full curtasly Resavyt him … And gert ordayn [H. ordainde chamber] quhar he suld ly c1400 Troy-bk. I. 250.
It wes the cause wherfore the Kyng Lay thar as thane in soiournyng c1420 Bute MS. fol. 173.
It fallys that ivil, cummys suddanly to schipmen … he may nocht ly lang in the schyp 1456 Hay I. 289/26.
On the morne he suld stere of the towne, and ly in a place … without the wallis of the toune 1501 Treas. Acc. II. 120.
To the man of the place quhair the King lay 1506 Ib. III. 413.
To Quintin Focart to pas to ly at the post a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. clxxiii. 10.
Sum in the cessione lyis our lange And hulie speiddis 1568 Hosack Mary Q. o.f Scots 537.
Sum otheris that lay in the Kingis hous wer inquirit … quha preparit … that hous for the King 1570 Sat. P. x. 334.
On Sonday than … Vnto this towne he come, soupit and lay 1572–3 Reg. Privy C. II. 177.
In the places thay have lyne upoun bilting 1605 Edinb. B. Rec. VI. 10.
That na … vagabundis lye thairin [in killogies] 1649 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 96.
Thair horssis … lyes amongst the saidis cornes haill nights(2) a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 564.
We will lye thereout all nicht or anie bodie steill ws 1608 Inverurie B. Ct. 26 Apr.
All hors & meiris [etc.] … [which] beis fund within the hanit girs or lying out wpone the nycht(3) 1607 Urie Baron Ct. .
That the fischeris … sall nawayis ly one land in tyme of fair wetheyr 1622-6 Bisset II. 252/9.

b. To ly upon (also, upon the cost of), to quarter oneself on, to have or exact accommodation from or at the expense of. 1424 Acts II. 3/2.
The Kyng forbiddis that ony cumpanyis pas in the cuntre lyand apone ony the Kingis liegis or … soiorne hors … on … husbandis 1447 (1451) Reg. Great S. 106/2.
Hir man sal ly upon the cost of the said Alex. … ay to the saide malis … be fully pait 1550 Acta Conc. Public Aff. 606.
[He shall not in future] remane with the said abbot or ly upoun him for causing of him to mak expensis 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Schireffe.
The schireffe suld arreist … all sorners, quha lyis and sojournis vpon the kings lieges 1649 Sc. Hist. Rev. XXX. 146.
[Payment for quartering of] some Inglish sojoris that should have lyen upon the mylnis

5. Passing into: To have one's abode, dwell, reside. c1420 Wynt. viii. 6389.
All a qwhille thare wyth hym he lay Ib. ix. 1494.
The few folk off Scotland That be dry marche ar lyand Nere yhow 1531 Bell. Boece I. 69.
This town [sc. Inverness] remanis yit … full of … guddis, howbeit it be oftimes heryit be evil nichtbouris liand thair about a1578 Pitsc. II. 318/11.
The said ludg … eftir the creppill man deit … vas common to all swyne to ly intill 1664 Glasg. Univ. Mun. II. 483.
That als manie of the schoolars as can convenientlie ly and dyet also within the Universitie 1669 Lauder Jrnl. 201.
The gentlemen of the Merse who ly most obnoxious to Englands invasion 1681 Stirling B. Rec. II. 33.
To try what incouradgment may be had frae the neighhouris lyeing neir

b. To be in residence as an ambassador. 1550 Reg. Privy C. I. 89.
My Lord Cardinale of Gnise, lyand presentlie in the court of Rome 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 28.
Thair was ane Inglis ambassatour liand in Scotland, quha remainit be the space of ane ȝeir to heir the lordis opynioun 1632 Lithgow Trav. 141.
[He] kept a better house, than any ambassadour did, that euer lay at Constantinople 1649 Baillie III. 103.
Why doe yow send none to lye for yow at the court of Sweden?

6. Of an army (or its commander): To be encamped or stationed, to lie in camp or in force. 1375 Barb. ix. 59.
Thai war bot ane few menȝe To ly but strinth in-to the playn Ib. v. 77, 473, viii. 123, xi. 436, etc. Ib. xix. 754.
The Ynglis men saw the herbery Quhar Scottis men war wount to ly All woyd 1531 Bell. Boece II. 404.
Quhen thay had line thre dayis at the watter of Tyne, and micht not cum ouir Id. Livy I. 245.
Quhen the consul had lang tyme lyin in thare landis to the vtir hereschip … of thare gudis 1544 Corr. M. Lorraine 79.
Ther is mony greit men of Ingland with garysonis of men lyand aganis ws 1559 Cal. Sc. P. I. 256.
Ye pay thame [troops] vages whare thei ly presentlie, … but heir thei wold mor proffett us 1640 Baillie I. 257.
There was ten thousand Irishes thir two moneth lying on the coast of Ireland foreanence our countrey

b. Said of a besieging force or its commander, as to ly about, or at (the sege of), a place, = to beleaguer it. 1375 Barb. x. 510.
The erll Thomas … At Edinburgh with his menȝe War lyand at the sege Ib. xiv. 95, xx. 12. Ib. xx. 17.
The Kyng at thai castellis liand Left his folk ?1438 Alex. i. 2.
Vhen Alexander in his impire Lay to assege the tonn of Tire c1420 Wynt. v. 805.
That day Ahowte Jerusalem he lay Wyth hys ost off gret powere In tyll assege Ib. viii. 4931, 5.
The Muntagw wes yhit liand Segeand Dunbar … And as he thus assegeand lay [etc.] 1456 Hay I. 39/8.
The Grekis … destroyit … all the toun … he a sege that lay ten ȝeris before thame c1515 Asl. MS. I. 219/14.
Becaus of the sege that was liand about the castell on the Kingis behalf Ib. 221/18.
The King … put ane sege to the Blaknes and lay at it ix or x dayis 1563 Boyd Fam. P. No. 48 (15 Feb.).
Thay … lay about the said Adamis place be the space of four dayis and nychts continewalie … to have distroyt him 1569 Reg. Privy C. II. 11, 12.
Certane nowmer of men of weir to ly at the same [Dumbarton Castle] … and … fourty men … to ly and accumpany the men of weir at the said castell during the space of thre monethis

7. a. To lie hid, to lurk.Also, to ly derne (Dern(e adv.), darnit (Dern(e v. 1 b), under how (How n.³ c), etc. 1375 Barb. v. 571.
The King … towart thair cowert gais, Quhar liand war the tratouris thre c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlii. 75.
Strangenes, quhair that he did ly, Wes brint in to the porter luge 1533 Bell. Livy II. 97/9.
To tak the montanis and ly with quiet garnisoun at the bak of the hil quhare the inemyis lay 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 176. a1578 Pitsc. I. 86/11. c1590 J. Stewart II. 221. § 87.
In land so monie lourking louries lyis Vith ewill inuentions for to virk me noy 1596 Dalr. I. 102/11. Ib. II. 86/12.
In the daytyme thay ly hidd in secrete places

b. To ly (at or in) await or (the) wait (for a person), in ambuscaid, in ambusch, see the nouns. To ly (about) for (a person), to lie or lurk in wait for, to ambush. Also, to ly in the way of (one's slaughter), = to ambush with intent to slay.(1) 1523–4 Acta Conc. Public Aff. 194.
That samyn day James Hammilton lay for me till haif slane me 1544 Corr. M. Lorraine 117.
I am … advertist surly that the governour and his frendis purpos to ly for me in the passage 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 289.
My lord Seytoun … wes stopit be ane horsman … quha shew him that the haill power of Leith wes liand about for his slauchter(2) 1567 Reg. Morton I. 30.
Certane … inobedient subiectis … lay in the way of hir distructioun and slauchter a1658 Durham Subtile Self (1723) 81.
Self … lyeth clos (as it were) in ambush continually

8. To remain inactive or idle; to absent oneself from (a duty).Freq. with complementary adj. as to ly idill. Cf. sense 15, where the subj. is a thing. a1538 Abell 79 b.
And ay the pure is our halit & birnt and thai ly still or lukis on fer to thare enemys thocht thare batell is richt a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. xviii. 25.
Trow ȝe to ly lurk and doe na mair To se quhilk syde [etc.] 1570 6th Rep. Hist. MSS. App. 646/1.
Gif the saidis masounis … happyn to ly idill for non furnissing of the said money 1641 Acts V. (1870) 419/2.
Because the saidis coallheweres and salteres and otheres workemene in coalheuches … doe ly from ther worke at Pasch, Ȝule, Whitsonday … everie coallhewer or salter who lyes ydle shall pay [20/-] for everie day 1692 Seafield Corr. 76.
For their [brewers'] contumacie … for lying drey

b. To ly of, to stop work. 1597 Crawford Mining P. xvii.
Incaice the said Guilielme find that … he may nocht mak sufficient profeit … it sall be lesum to him to lye of [v.r. aff] and to desist fra all vorking

c. To ly abak, bak, behind or by, to hold or hang, also to fall, back, to remain inactive or uncommitted or to lag, be a laggard.(1) 1570 Sempill Sat. P. xii. 156.
My Lordis … Suppois ȝe crak, ȝe ly abak, And lybellis be the law 1596 Dalr. I. 148/12.
Nathir in this necessitie and in tyme of neid lyes the Pechtis abak with thair supporte(2) 1612 Maxwell Mem. II. 57, 8.
If I thocht his maiestie consavit … I wer a lyer back and wold not concurre with any. … If thai inform that I ly back vpon humiliatioun thai do me wronge. … Let it not be belevit I wil detrect or ly back from his hienis service(3) a1568 Bann. MS. 255 a/21.
Sum luvis lang and lyis behind, Sum luvis and freindschip can nocht fynd 1568 Lyndesay Pref. (S.T.S.) 400.
Our prelates, laith to ly behind, willing to schaw thair guid seruice to the halie sait, apprehendit … Paull Craw 1638 Henderson Serm. 514.
When ane army is marching, and some begins to lie behind, some to change their places, and some to fall back to the enemy(4) 1570 Sat. P. xx. 181.
Lat not inuy cause sum ly by, Bot all togidder stand 16.. Hist. Kennedy 53.
Ardmellane being fre … wald neuer catch in that turne, bot lay by a1658 Durham Clavis Cantici 67.
[Christ] takes it well when a believer is like to ly by and sit up that he look up to him and pray … for help 1660 Wodrow Hist. (1828) I. 78.
Fear of danger … prevailed with several to lie by so that the elections went pretty smoothly on 1685-8 Renwick Serm. 461.
He is a faithful shepherd and he will not ly by from his office

9. a. To ly furth or out, to refrain from or delay in entering into possession of property, or occupation of an office.(1) 1518 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV. 229.
That … schir Williame Elphinstonne … tutour of law to the said lord Elphinstoune has lying furth and nocht fundin cautioune of the said office sen the deces of his fader in Floddoun 1540 Balfour Pract. 165.
Gif ane superiour of perfeit age lyis furth of his landis, in defraud of his tenent or vassall 1559 Reg. Privy S. V. i. 132/1.
Providing alwayis that the said Williame ly nocht furth unenterit to his landis 1630 Acts Sederunt ii. 41.(2) 1510 Reg. Privy S. I. 324/1.
Gif the said George lyis out and deferris to enter to the saidis landis that the said Robert may he enterit thairto … our soverane lord sall enter … the said Rohert 1528 Blackfriars Perth 193.
Johne lord Glamis … lyis out in defraude of the said prior and convent, and will not entir to his superioritie of the said lands 1622-6 Bisset I. 278/6.
Gif the obtenare of this precept furth of the chancellarie ly out and tak na seasing upoun the samin 1632 Bk. Dunvegan I. 102.
That my lord be obleist nocht to ly out but to entir for sasin 1673 Rothesay B. Rec. 242.
Seing the said John M'Neill did ly out of the possessioune of the lands of Fauldcregan during the lyftyme of Issobell Kelso 1673–88 Fountainhall in M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. III. 146.
A man is married on a woman that is apparent heir to lands, … she to defraud her husband either of the jus mariti or the courtesy, lies out and will not enter

b. To ly out, to withhold (from another, or absol.) one's support or allegiance or obedience to authority. 1570 Misc. Bann. C. I. 38.
Ye sie how monie lyis out from me, and monie that wer with me in the beginning of this actione ar miscontent with my proceidingis Ib. 48.
[To] say he is evill spoken of … for lying out from ȝour grace 1575 Reg. Privy C. II. 468.
That not onelie a present repressing of the thevis is requisite, bot sum ordinar force … to repres sic fugitives and outlawis as may ly out eftir the ordour takin 1586 Cal. Sc. P. IX. 165.
The erle of Morton is lyne out and is greit with Johnestoun 1640-1 Kirkcudbr. Min. Bk. 42.
For his lying sae lang out in not subscryveing of the covenant

c. To ly out of (money due to one), to remain unpaid. 1628 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 297.
We ly out as yit both of stok and profites 1681 Stirling B. Rec. II. 33. 1681 Edinb. B. Rec. XI. 28.
These nighboures had lyen out of the money advanced be them … for which they wer daillie craving to be reimbursed 1683 Ib. 79.
[A lawsuit] wherin they had debursed considerable soumes of money in prosecutione therof wherof they have lyne out of it this long tyme

10. a. To become bogged in mire, to be trapped or stuck in bird-lime or the like. c1420 Wynt. viii. 5388.
Thare at the assemble thai In the syk to the gyrthyn lay c1450-2 Howlat 969.
Tharfore I ly in the lyme lympit lathast c1590 J. Stewart II. 85/204.
As feltert foule quhilk glew or girn dois hold, The moir scho flychters, scho the faster lyis

b. To be held in captivity.Also, to be held in custody as a pledge or hostage for something or someone.(1) 1545 Bk. Carlaverock II. 29.
I hayff leyn lang heyr ane pressenar 1570 Sat. P. xvi. 57.
Thocht he be lyand vnder bands 1616 Haddington Mem. II. 133.
Hes lyeing in joeall this lang quhyll 1626 Edinb. B. Rec. VII. 14.
[To] lye in the yrins(2) 1492 Acta Conc. I. 208/1.
The saidis … bundin to pay the soume that the said Johne Hendrison lay for 1569 Reg. Privy C. II. 62.
The branche liand for the branche, or the grayne of him that chargeis sic presonaris sall incontinent … be put in strait irnis

c. To be or remain in bondage or subjection, under condemnation, an obligation, or the like. c1420 Wynt. v. 3892 (C).
My syn That I haf lyin stynkande in Ib. vii. 2646.
The byschapys and the clergy Yhit he let in cursyng ly c1475 Wall. ii. 221.
His payne … that … In langour lyis for losyng of thar luff 1537–8 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I. 198.
Efter scho had lying curst fowrty dayis c1600 Montg. Suppl. xxxiii. 63.
Thocht my sarwandis in danger lay 1600-1610 Melvill 7.
He [God] wald repey twyse als guid, and nocht ly lang in na man's comoun 1618 Wemyss of Bogie MSS.
All sik personnes as hes bene … put to his hienes horne and contemptuslie lyes and abydes therat

d. To ly by the eiris, to be at one another's ears, to be at odds: cf. e.m.E. and later Sc. (1716) to go or be together by the ears, id. e. To ly (= be kept, wait) without.d. 1572 Sat. P. xxxi. 142.
I dreid ȝe ly lang by the eiris Or thay think time to end the weiris 1594 Colville Lett. 122.
Honest men will fall on your syd, and … the moir indifferent yow seem to us boyth, so the soner sall we ly by the earise. 1664 Pitcairne Spirit. Sacriffice 169.
If thou wilt not knock till the door be opened, thou mayest wait long and ly without

11. To lie (down).(1) ?1438 Alex. ii. 427.
And amang the swordis than can he ly [F. se coucha] a1500 Seven S. 446.
The grewhound … lay to rest him wery yneuch(2) 1456 Hay I. 202/16.
Suld he cowardly ly doune and lat thame sla him 15.. Dunb. App. xi. 21.
With reverend feir doun on ȝour facis ly 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1025.
Heir … the King sall ly doun amang the ladies 1560 Rolland Seven S. 8807.
Quhat is the caus that ȝe ar now line doun? 1629 Justiciary Cases I. 134.
Gif ane kow ly doun upone ane emmet hillok

12. Of things: To be deposited or set lengthwise or at rest on the ground or other surface; to be kept or allowed to remain in a certain place. Also, to ly to. 1375 Barb. xix. 676.
Quhen the man Saw his mantill ly byrnand than Ib. 747.
Bot gif it war ony swmmer That in the mos wes left liand 1456 Hay II. 123/26.
The remaynis lyis lang in the law of the ground of the stomak a1500 Seven S. 449.
The serpentis blud lay all about 1501 Treas. Acc. II. 89.
The tymir lying in Kyrkaldy 1520 Selkirk B. Ct. MS. fol. 83.
That thar ly na medding in the … Kyrkgait 1585 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 407.
Hard by quhair the sam [carcase] lyis 1588 Prot. Bk. J. Robertsone MS. 46 b.
The lair stane That lyis vpone the said vmsquhill … Dame Christane graif 1595 Edinb. Test. XXIX. 7.
The rest of hir claythtis … and the kist that thai ly into a1598 Ferg. Prov. MS. No. 1629.
Ye hav lyen in your skabert as many good sword dois 1622-6 Bisset II. 246/16.
Twa schipis or ma lyand in ane heavin at skant wattir, and the ane of the ankeris ly to over neir ane uthir schip 1630 Orhney Antiq. Soc. V. 61.
The haill shoar deuties of the droggeris and dogger boatis that sall happin to ly upon the ground of the saids lands 1657 Edinb. B. Rec. IX. 56.
The jeists to ly within the walls 1695 Stitchill Baron Ct. 115.
If they [divots] be suffered to lye so long as shall indammage the ground 1703 Acts XI. 63/2.
An overture forexporting sheep skins … read and ordered to ly on the table

b. To extend lengthwise, project (far, etc.), along a surface. 1387 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 11.
Fra the west gavyl lyand in rayndon est on to the grete pyler 1554–5 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 301.
The wall that lyis far in the loch 1566-70 Buch. Comm. Virgil Georgics iii. 145.
Procubet, lye out our

c. Of frost or the like: To remain unmelted on the ground. 1596 Dalr. I. 31/28.
How deip saeuir be the snawe, how lang saevir the frost ly

13. To be situated in space.Very common in legal documents relating to landed property, also in the formula (the lands) lyis in lenth and brede, for which see Brede n.² 2 a, Lenth n. 1 b, Linth n. 1 b.See also Contigue a., Discontigue a., Rinrig a. 1375 Barb. viii. 164.
The King … saw the hye-gat lyand was Apon a fair feld evin and dry 1400 Chart. (Reg. H.) Honess Doc. No. 1.
A tenement in Anderston … liand in the northgat 1406 Reg. Great S. 17/1.
The landis … of Lethanys … lyand wythin the barony of Dalmelyntoun c1420 Wynt. i. 569.
Thar lyis als wythin that se The ilys of Krym and Argwe a1500 Rauf C. 246.
I haue na knawledge quhair the court lyis 1499 Echt-Forbes Chart. 86.
Lewand the land lyand est and vest to Vthirecht and the land lyand vp and done … to Coulquorsy c 1536–7 Rec. Earld. Orkney 222.
As the samein [property] lythes in lenth and breid in housses, bigings, yairds [etc.] 1547 Prot. Bk. W. Corbet 8.
[They] sall occupye the landis lyand and bwndand in at the Helburne in the north part 1549 Elgin Rec. I. 213.
[Certain burghs which] ly fardest from danger of the Inglischmen 1586 Rec. Earld. Orhney 357.
Twa forbuthis … and ane sellar … , all lyand under the said croce hous 1596 Dalr. I. 5/2.
The vthir syd lyeng toward Spane 1634 Dundonald Par. Rec. 386.
That parcell of grein earth lyand at the syde of his gleib 1656 Peebles B. Rec. II. 35.
Edderstoun burne, lying to the commoun loaning

b. Of a territory or stretch of land: To be of a certain geographical description (as inhabited, fertile, etc.) or to have a certain aspect (to the sun or shadow).(1) c1420 Wynt. ii. 694.
Be-yhonde a se He kend lyand a gret cuntre. … Than gert he … armyd men … pas … To se that land how that it lay, And gyff that it wes eyth to wyn [etc.] a1500 Colk. Sow ii. 119.
A cornar of a cuntre seuerall, Nocht than invent inhabit as it lay 1505 Lennox Mun. 172.
The commone of Inchinnan … sal be devidyt … of all maner of erd, ill and gude as it lyis 1535 Selkirk B. Ct. MS. 203 b.
Als meikyll land of his propir heretaigis als vell lyand be seycht of nychtbouris as the land he had effoir of hyme(2) 1533 Crawford Mun. Invent. I. 63.
[The half lands of Glaskory with the pertinents] lyand at the soune 1541 Reg. Privy S. II. 625/1.
The landis of Balgillo with the pertinentis liand at the schaddow c1575 Balfour Pract. 461.

c. Of a road or way: To lead (to a place, etc.). c1420 Wynt. iii. 274.
Sampsone met thame on the way And askyd quhethir thare gat lay a1500 Rauf C. 93.
To the Coilȝearis hous … The carll had cunning weill quhair the gait lay

14. Of a ship or boat. a. To be stationed in a berth or anchorage; to be at anchor or more or less stationary at a specified point.Also said of the skipper or those on board. c1420 Bute MS. fol. 173.
[The ship] passis furth tyl ane vthyr havyn and lyis thar 1535 Stewart 4156. Ib. 4153.
Sum in the wynd la capand thair so he 1546 Treas. Acc. IX. 44.
To Robert Sandes, capitane of ane schip wes ordanit to ly before the castell of Sanctandrois the tyme of the assege 1549 Compl. 40/4.
I beheld ane galiasse … lyand fast at ane ankir, and hyr salis in hou 1602–3 Ayr B. Acc. 215.
Anent Ireis lownis lyand upoun the coist 1683-87 Erskine Diary 104.
Having lien at anchor sometime because it was dark

b. To ly by, to heave to, lie to. a1568 Bann. MS. 210 b/19.
Cast lous the fuksheit … Let hir ly by ȝe must abyd the blast

c. To heel over. a1568 Bann. MS. 210 b/12.
Beir up hir beugh albeit she sould ly over

15. To remain inactive, unworked, unused, barren or neglected.Freq. with complement as to ly wast, idill, etc. (and see also Ley a. 1 a). Cf. sense 8, where the subj. is a person.(1) c1420 Wynt. iii. 598.
Scotland was dyssawarra left, And wast nere lyand c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 175.
His lwme is vaxit larbar and lyis into swoune 1513 Doug. xiii. viii. 21.
Lang … the plewch lyis still a1538 Abell 49 b.
Sa at mony howsis in Roym la wast 15.. Black Bk. Taymouth 166.
Thir sevin yearis the queir will ly vnmendin 1558 Inverness Rec. I. 20.
Say lang as the said Doncan pluch lay idyll in his defalt 1633 Cochran-Patrick Coinage II. 90.
The maister cunyiar will haue ane great stok [of debased coins] lying dead in his handis 1650 Aberd. Journal N. & Q. VI. 248.
To let it ly onlaboured(2) 1463 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 21.
Gif … in his default … the myle be ydill … the said Johne sall amend that … on his awin cost, vtherwayes than effeiris thame to ly for mending af thame selff 1633 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 375.
Whereas the summonds lyes be reason of our refusall to receave the [mortification] … the same [mortification] hes lyin altogidder and hes nowayes bene profitabill to the poore scholares … nere the space of thrie yeris 1662 Cochran-Patrick Coinage II. 178.
The generall [of the mint] … hath both ordinarie fees when the work lyes and extraordinarie fees when it goes 1675 Strathblane Par. 332.
Thar remaynes no more till this lyne of poors money bot the gud turnours 1687 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII.177.
James Buchane had no tytle to sett that roome, for if it should lye and breed laverocks he should have nothing to doe with it that yeir

b. To be or remain in some other condition specified by a complement. c1420 Wynt. i. 444 (W).
Bak and butowis all lay baire Ib. iv. 880 (1).
Honesté defowlyt lyis Ib. v. 677.
Thai bodyis … Lay hyd but wyttyng mony day 1513 Doug. i. vi. 93.
Vnder the erth quhar ald hurdis hyd lay Ib. xii. xii. 174.
For sa the mater lyis c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxxviii. 8.
The sentence lay full evill till find, Vnsleipit in my heid behind c1590 Fowler I. 192/3.
My harte first hurt now kendled lyes in lowe 1693 Glasgow Wrights Acts 18.
The foirsaid indentors … are to ly in retentis till both pairties fullie aggrie

16. Of the wind: To subside. 1662 Crim. Trials III. 607.
Quhen we rease the wind … we say … ‘I knok this ragg wpon this stane To raise the wind in the Divellis name; It sall not lye vntill I please againe.’ [When] we wold lay the wind, we … say [etc.] … And if the wind will not lye instantlie [etc.]

17. Of money or property. a. To lie beside, by, with a person, in (one's) hands, to be in one's possession or keeping. a1400 Leg. S. v. 410.
Sum money As in depose that with hym lay c1420 Wynt. vii. 2800.
Thare borwyd that Erle than his land, That lay in to the Kyngys hand a1570-86 Maitl. F. lxxvi. 16.
Now he hes gold … Lyand him besyd 1654 Inverness Rec. II. 209.
Sua much money of any thing lyes in his handis … of the tounes meanes 1669 Thanes of Cawdor 323.
Lost upon 324 legged dollors that wes among your money lyeing by me when they wer called doun to 56 s.

b. To be in pledge or mortgage or the like. 1406 (1427) Reg. Great S. 17/2.
I … grant that the said Jon haf the mone the quhylk lyis apon tha landis, and thir forsaid landis efftir the lowsing 1467 Acta Aud. 6/2.
Quhill he pay him the soume that thai [the lands] ly in wed for 1496–7 Acta Conc. II. 65.
Gif the sadis reversions has bene lade in wed be Andro Schethum … the sade Robert … sal lowys thame of quhat soumes of money thai ly apone on the sade Robertis expensis 1541 Aberd. B. Rec. MS. XVII. (Jam.).
Hir kirtill quhilk sche hes lyand in wed 1572 Knox VI. lviii.

18. Of land. a. To be appropriated to, to be at the use of, to appertain to (also const. under).(1) 1456 Liber Aberbr. 88.
The sowthe syde of the myre sal ly in commoun pasture to the said tua lordis 1557 Inverness B. Rec. I. 5.
Allexander Cuper on his deid bed confessit that the … land wes lyand to hyme in wed of ten pundis 1575 Mun. Univ. Glasg. I. 93.
The annuel of the fore place at the Wyne Heid that lyis to the Halye Bluid altar occupyet be Schir Richard Harbertsoun 1599 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 78.
Pasturage [etc.] … quhilk sall remane … as commontie and ly waist to bayth the townis … unappropriat be ayther of thame 1667 Boyd Fam. P. No. 280 (15 Nov.).
I have set … the haill houses within the chassle of Troweir and the gairding lying to the houses on the north syd(2) 1597 Rec. Earld. Orkney 321.
Wthall land … lyand under the heid bull and house of Halcro

b. To be occupied in commomty. 1538 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III. 18.
All the south pairt to be property to Chapiltoun … and all the lef … to lye in commonty 1576 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 52.
[The remaining common muir] to ly still in communitie to the weill of the haill tounschip

19. a. To be or remain in legal dispute; to be dependent or continuing under consideration by the court in a legal action. 1418 Liber Melros 540.
Tha landis qwhilkis lyis in debate betvix the forsaide abbot & the lorde of Bemerside 1570–71 Canongate Ct. Bk. 302.
Requirand Robert Scot … to … deliver to the said Patrik his seasing of the landis acclamit quhilk wes producit and as yit lyis in the said proces a1652 Dickson Psalms I. 36.
When a process hath been lying long before God 1670 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS. 2 April.
Which reports … ar all approven be the haill counsall and lying in proces 1680 Edinb. B. Rec. X. 403.
The matter having bein in debait befor the lords … [is] now lying at ther interloquitur

b. To be held over or deferred or in abeyance. 1574 Reg. Privy C. II. 407.
Thay have actioun dependand befoir the Lordis of Sessioun. quhilk restis and lyis ower thir sindry yeris past undecydit 1575 Red Bk. Menteith II. 409.
That the compt of our lordschip of Menteith … hes restit and lyne ower vnmaid or enterit in the rollis of oure chekker 1587-99 Hume 74/205. 1596 Bruce in Wodrow's Life of Bruce 52.]
[Might not this forged cavillation against David Black … haue ceased and lain over for a time till [etc.] 1607 Highland P. III. 96.
In the hielands the Mcgregours affaires lyis owir 1619 Perth Kirk S. MS. 19 Jan.
The sessioun thocht gude nocht to infest onye forder heirintill at the present bot to ly ower till they heir heirefter of onye wtheris faultis that he sall happin to mak 1628 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 287; 1680 Ib. VI. 255. 1631 Dundonald Par. Rec. 338.

20. With immaterial subjects. a. To be located or have its place in or within a locality. 1456 Misc. Bann. C. III. 96.
Of the quhilkis vj markis [of annual rent] thar lyis fifty s. worth ȝeirly in Louranston besid Leyth 1581-1623 James VI Poems I. 87/64.
At lesume labour, where his liuing lyes 1622-6 Bisset I. 246/22.
[To] denunce … the landis, myllis, heretaiges, tenementis, annuelrentis, takkis and reversionis … quhairevir the samin lyis withtin this realme

b. To be situated, exist, reside in (a person or thing); to rest or centre in. Also const. to or till or with adv. of place.Also to ly in (= within adv., in so doing).(1) ?1438 Alex. i. 608.
In his sword lyis our helpyne Ib. 2931.
In fair speche lyis oft winning, And in dispyte oft distrubling Ib. ii. 5398.
Great … trauell lyis thare till 1456 Hay I. 128/22.
Than here lyis the questioun to quham he sall pas a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 1075.
To purchese proffit for pris, Quhare schame ay euer lyis 1490 Irland Mir. I. 137/18.
Haly lady, … in thé only lyis all oure help and saluacioune c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxxxi. 50.
Nobilnes, [his] lecheing lyis in thé 1533 Gau 84/17.
Greit folie … to say … that thair lis mair pardone to ony oder prayer 1535 Stewart 19128.
Greit thank … Be to thy king in quhome sic lawtie lyis 1560 Rolland Seven S. 789. a1568 Scott xxxvi. 70.
Thy oblatioun, Lord, it lyis In humill hairt 1571 Bann. Trans. 192.
The clocked poysone that so long hes lyine in thy feanyeat breast a1578 Pitsc. I. 105/6.
Ane sicker anker in quhois handis lyis the powar of lyfe and death 1623 Blair Autob. 42.
That there was a snare lying in the frequent inviting me to dispute(2) a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 330.
Ressaue him reuerendly as resoun in lyis

c. To ly or rest in (intill) a person's power. Also, to ly in (the person). 1513 Doug. i. ix. 38.
That lyis nocht, Dido, intill our mycht 1561 (c 1650) Bk. Univ. Kirk I. 11.
What in them lyes to kindle Gods wrath agains this heale realme 1562 Edinb. Hammermen 252.
The said William … did that lay in him to haue movit thame to [etc.] c1590 Fowler I. 140/11.
As lyes in thé, To haile and hurt 1596 Dalr. I. 104/15.
To do quhat lyes in his power

d. To appertain to (a person or thing); to concern (him or it). ?1438 Alex. ii. 5875.
To me na fallis it [sc. a prize] nocht na lyis [F. n'affiert ne pas] Ib. 7950.
Couatyse … Reiffis haly that to honour lyis [F. ce c'onnours li aprent] 1560 Rolland Seven S. 1822.
To tell that day quha wan the interpryse That erand now to my mater not lyis 1619 Perth Kirk S. MS. 5 Jan.
Forsamekill this sclander lyis Johne Gow hir maisteris hous he is ordand to be warneit to compeir

e. To rest (up)on (a person etc.) as a charge or burden; also, to be set to one's charge.Also, (of a hazard) to ly on one's life, so that one's life depends on it.(1) 1456 Hay I. 197/24.
The charge all hale lyis apon his maisteris conscience 1513 Doug. vi. ix. 208.
Evyrmar the charge [of sin] lyis on thar nek 1572 Cal. Sc. P. IV. 377.
[All the charges of this war] hes onely lyne on our scholdres 1644 Acts VI. i. 76/1.
That the great burdens of this kingdome have hithertills lyne vpon the weele affected(2) 1510 Reg. Privy S. I. 326/2.
That thai ansuer nocht na new preceptis … , the quhilk gif thai do we will that the sammyn ly to thair charge(3) a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 470 (L).
Auise ȝit, it lyis ȝit [W. Aduise thé, it lyis thé] On na les nor thy lyfe

f. To ly to (one), to be incumbent or obligatory upon him. c1400 Troy-bk. i. 364.
All the perelles to assay Eftre the law as to thame lay 1405 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 59.
Giffe the trewis sall stande it lyes to yhour heenes to se for chastyninge of trespassouris

g. To ly beside a person or on his hand, to be left unused by him, to be neglected by him. 16.. Hist. Kennedy 26.
He obtenis ane decreitt … [of 12000 merks] for the byrunnis … bot he put nocht the samin to executioun, bot latt the samin ly still besyd him, as ane aw-band abuiff his heid a1658 Durham Comm. Rev. 407.
His intercession is … often suffered to ly beside even the believer, not being emproven to the excellent use which doth flow from it Id. Clavis Cantici 417.
Although Christ … suffer many of the believers duties and the exercise of his graces … to ly long on his hand, yet they are not lost but laid up

h. Of legal arrest, To rest, or have been laid, on (something); fig. Of a vow, or a legal arrest, To ly on (adv.), to remain binding, continue in force. 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1891) 358.
Christ's comprisement lieth on glory for all the mourners in Zion, and shall never be loosed a1658 Durham Commandments 94.
This tye of a vow … when it's taken on, we should not let it lye on (to say so) till the sun go down, but endeavour that we may be free of it 1689 Corshill Baron Ct. 182.
In respect of Robert Deans non presence continues to the nixt court, and the arreistment to lie on still

i. absol. Of a reproof: To be sustainable or applicable. 1375 Barb. iv. 581.
[He] said he suld do sa wisly, That na repreif suld eftir ly

j. To ly on (in) hart (to a person), to have at heart, to desire. 1375 Barb. xx. 546 (E).
Ga to Pyrrus, and lat him do Quhat euir him lyis on hart thar to [C. Quhat euir in hert hym lyis thé to]