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.
Ballane, Ballen, Ballin(g, n. Also: bellan(e, balen(e, balein, balin, baling. [ME. balayn, baleyne (14th c.). OF. balaine, baleine, L. balæna.] Whalebone.(a) 1513 Doug. v. vii. 73.
The stern Erix was wont … In that hard bellan hys brawnys to enbrace 1535 Stewart 33926.
With cors-bowis of ballane that war gude 1603 Treas. Acc. MS. 275 b.
To … hir maiesteis mr. tailȝeour for threid, ballin, claspis, and rowis 1648 Thanes of Cawdor 309.
A pound of balein at 8 s. 1685 Soc. Ant. LVIII. 356.
2 collars of gray cloath with balin(b) 1604 Tailors Acc. Bk. 31.
For steving & stenting to cover the balling with of ȝour dochteris twa goun bodyis 1606 Ib. 40.
For balling to this same dowblet 1616 Stirling B. Rec. I. 144.
Foran clayth of all soirtis, baling, nor na uther stapill wairis 1658 Elgin Rec. I. 306.
Ane stone weight of balling
b. Attrib., esp. with bodeis (= bodice).(a) 1513 Doug. vii. xiii. 67.
A ballen [v.r. balen] pavys coverys thar left sydis 1603 Treas. Acc. MS. 273 b.
Spanis taffatie to be ballin bodeis thairto 1643 Edinb. Test. LX. 269 b.
Fyve dossane of balene bodies(b) 1603 Montgomery Mem. 245.
For ane par of balling sleiss Ib. 249.
For ane par of balling bodis couerit vith sattin 1621 Edinb. Test. LI. 126 b.
Thrie pair balling bodies 1647 Caldwell P. 99.
For ane pair of balling bodyes
