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.
Quotation dates: 1551-1698
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Bage, Baige, n. Also: bag, baig. [ME. bage (14th c.), bagge, OF. bage, Anglo-Lat. bagea, bagia, of obscure origin.]
1. A heraldic badge. Also fig.(a) 1551 Hamilton Catechism 197.
As … all men of weir … beiris apon thame thair princis baige … that be that same baige [etc.] 1581 Satirical Poems xliv. 208.
Gar paint thair baigis: to Geneue haist vith speid 1622-6 Bisset II. 157/4.
The erlis of Anguse hes in the crist of thair baig … Jamais arreir c1615 Chron. Kings 96.
Thay of France caus mark thair siluer wpone baigis(b) 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 32.
The Duke of Norffolk … the principall enemy of the nobilitie of Scotland, as his bage beris witnes 1572-5 Diurnal of Occurrents 158.
Ane vther pensell quhairin wes contenit my lord regentis armes and bage 1572-5 Ib. 330.
Handsenȝie of Scotland, and bag thairof 1581 Burne Disput. 48 b.
In thai officeis, bages, and priuilegis of the Romane preistis 1626 Garden Worthies 130.
That Boars head, bloodie, … that simple onsupplied bage [: aige] 1674 Fraser P. 258.
Four greine velvat cots with tine bages … for footmenfig. 1573 Davidson Satirical Poems xl. 231.
For troublis ar the bage thay mon possess 1600-1610 Melvill 323.
His guid-shyr … gave him the bage of baptisme
2. A beggar's badge. 1698 Ann. Banff I. 168.
The magistrats appoynt bages for such poor
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"Bage n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/bage>
