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 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Ble, n. Also: blee, blie. [ME. ble, blee (also e.m.E.), early bleo, OE. bléo.] Colour; complexion.Only in poetry, and in alliterative phrases.a1400 Leg. S. xxix. 369.
The laydy brycht of ble c1450-2 Howlat 3.
The bemes blythest of ble Ib. 17.
Birdis blythest of ble Ib. 355.
Ane egill … all of sable … The beke … of that ilk ble a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 212.
Coupis of cleir gold, brichtest of ble Ib. 895.
Ane blonk, of ane ble quhite Ib. 1133.
Othir bernys for barrat blakynnit thair ble c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 165.
Blaiknyt is thy ble a1568 Bann. MS. 225 b/20.
Fairweill thou beriall blycht of blie a1568 Scott xxi. 4.
My bludles blaiknit ble 1569 Sat. P. x. 15.
Baith blaiknit, blude and ble