A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Prayer-bell, n. Also: prayar-. [e.m.E. (1682).] A bell rung to summon worshippers to prayer. —1486 Misc. Spald. C. V 30.
[The council] has grantit to William Yonge the deuotione and profite that happinis be gottin of the prayer bell, for the ringyne of the samyne at sex houris in the evining and xii houris at noune a1540 Freiris Berw. 76 (M).
The freiris wox blyth … And ewin so thai hard the prayar bell Of that abbay 1590 Edinb. B. Rec. V 28.
To caus tak doun the prayer bell, quhilk hes the stapill brokkin quhair the tongue hang c1650 Spalding II 383.
Then the prayer bell rang to the evning prayeris
