Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Vale, Vaill, Veil, v. Also: wale, vail(e, wail(l, waile. [ME and e.m.E. vale (Manning), vayl (1528), vaile (1560), veile (1587), OF valer or aphetic f. Avale v.]

1. intr. To descend, come or drop down. c1420 Wynt. ix 854 (E²).
Attoure ane bra sum deele waland [R. awaland, C. awalande, W. heldand] c1409-1436 Kingis Q. § 172.
Fro my quhele be rollit … the nature of it is euermore After ane hicht to vale, and geue a fall a1500 Lanc. 2473.
The soft dew one fra the hewyne doune valis c1475 Wall. (1570) viii 1189.
The donk dew doun fra the heuin did vaill [STS awaill]

2. To doff or remove (one's cap or bonnet) as a greeting or sign of submission. Also fig. b. intr. Also, to lower a flag.(a) 1642 Scots Scouts Discovered 5.
We did vaile our bonnets unto them [sc. the king's ships], and bid them good day 16.. Maidment Balfour Ballads 32.
They'l make the Scots-man waile his bonnet c1650 P. Gordon Brit. Dist. 182.
The more to gall Huntlie, and to make him waill his bonnet a1700 Lady Bark.
Ask nomenclators when ye wail your bonnet, Madam or lady is as soon said as Jannet(b) a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 271.
Befoir Cupide veiling [T. valyng] his cap alytefig. 1683-4 Dick Testim.
All laws in the earth must strike-sail, and vail their caps to the supream law, the word of God 1687 Shields Hind Let Loose 679.
If all powers and prerogatives of men are only means appointed for, and should vail unto the supreme law of the people's safetyb. a1500 Prestis of Peblis 259 (A).
The … lordis had … Thar langage laid apon ane agit lord The quhilk stud wp, and richt wysly to wale [Ch. did wail] Vnto the king all thus began his tale c1679 Kirkton Hist. 320.
The States fleet hade refused the honour of the flagge to a small English yacht … They excused this from the ignorance of their admiral, who did not believe their State fleet should vail to ane English pink