A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1375-1633
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Fey, a. Also: feye, fay. [ME. feye, feie, feiȝe, OE. fǽᵹe, ON. feig-r.]
1. Of persons: fated to die; doomed by fate.One of Douglas's favourite words.1375 Barb. xv. 45.
Schir Edward … assemblit swa richt hardely, That mony fey fell vnder feit c1420 Wynt. iv. 1006.
The fowlis wyld and bestis fell, That fey court ay folowyd nere c1450-2 Howlat 495.
I sall followe thé in faith or feye to be fellit a1500 Henr. Fab. 1760.
Deith on the fayest fall c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace iv. 616; etc.
The folk was fey that he before him fand 1513 Doug. i. xi. 36.
The fey wnsely Dido, For the mischeif to cum predestinate, Mycht not refrene 1513 Ib. ii. vi. 74; etc.
Quhen blyndlyngis in the batail fey tha fyght 1535 Stewart 31516.
Throw misgyding, or than the man was fey, … Into ane boit [he] drownit than c1550 Rolland Court of Venus iii. 124.
In chance the Court fra thy quarell dekey. For gif sa fall in faith I hald thé fey 1584 Melvill 177.
They haiff said, with the fey and desperat Jewes … ‘Sie nocht’ 1633 Orkney Bishopric Court Book MS. 85.
Shoe will know giff their be any fey bodie in the hous vnrequirittransf. 1513 Doug. v. xi. 71.
Thir fey onhappy schippys al bedene Lat ws go byrn
2. Presaging, involving, or bringing death or evil fortune.1513 Doug. ii. vi. 86.
Chorebus … for fey luf hait byrnyng Of Cassandra 1513 Ib. iii. v. 91.
Quhil he … ensewit ane othir may … In fey wedlok 1513 Ib. x. Prol. 124; etc.
Bittyr was that frute for his ofspring and fey
3. Feeble, timid.1513 Doug. xii. v. 40.
We … That now, thus sleuthfully, sa fant and fey Hufys still on thir feldis
