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.
Flech(e, Fleich(e, v. Also: fletche, fleitch(e; flesche, fleische. [Of obscure origin.]
1. tr. To coax or cajole; to induce by fair words.a1400 Leg. S. xx. 181.
The president … hyme cane flesche & mak tysyng Fore to fore-sak Crist Ib. xxxvi. 452.
He flechit na man in ony degre c1420 Wynt. iii. 184.
Thai … bad scho sulde, … Fleche hyr lord wyth swylk quentys 1456 Hay I. 302/1.
Mony learis oft tymes flechis lordis with fals talis 1580 Sir P. Hume Promine to Jas. VI Envoy 10.
Syne sum … Will say, perhaps, thow dois but fleiche the King
2. intr. To use cajoling or flattering words; to speak insincerely.(a) c1420 Wynt. viii. 1708.
This Edwart Sayd flechand til the Brws Robert That [etc.] 1456 Hay I. 30/14.
Romaynes … suetely will fleche with fair flaterye before folkis visage a1500 Bernardus 240.
Tha seruandys … , the quhilk in thar langagis Thow felis flech c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxx. 36 (M).
In freiris weyd full fairlie haue I flechit 1535 Stewart 23751.
He … louit men weill that culd fleche and le 1556 Lauder Off. Kings 232.
Thay suld nocht … for no kynde of fauour fleche(b) 1567 G. Ball. 205.
The sillie freir behuiffit to fleiche, For almous that he assis a1568 Scott iv. 13.
I nowdir fleische nor flyte, To tell the trewith certane 1590–2 Rob Stene 10.
I heir ȝow fleiche, For ȝow pretendis grit luve by speiche(c) 1567 Sat. P. iii. 145.
With Clitemnestra I do not fane to fletche 1603 Philotus ix.
I can with fair anis fleitch and flatter Watson's Coll. i. 48.
When the cleck geese leave off to clatter, And parasites to flietch and flatter
