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.
Galay, Gallay, n. Also: gala, galey, gally; gaylay, gaillay, gailley, gaillie. [ME. galay(e, galeie, AF. galeie, med. L. galeia. Cf. Galé n.] A galley.(a) 1375 Barb. iii. 593.
The Erle off the Lenenax was … Lewyt behynd with his galay [: way] Ib. iv. 630; etc.
Men mycht thaim se Schute all thair galais to the se a1400 Leg. S. xxvii. 693.
He … ordenyt hyme a galay, & wytale thare-in gert he lay c1420 Wynt. vi. 1451.
Schype na boyt na yhit galay Mycht be sawffté ony way 1429 Acts II. 19/1.
That al baronnis and lordis hafand landis fornent the ylis … haf galayis c1515 Asl. MS. I. 221/27.
Thai war vxx of galays wele tald and ma 1525 Douglas Corr. 96.
Ȝe wer advertesit … of the cumyne of the Duke of Albanyis tua galais 1558-66 Knox I. 204.
A galay … was so doung with the cannoun and othir ordinance, that she was … almost drowned a1578 Pitsc. II. 269/9.
Ane hundreith and threttie gret galayes of the Turkis 1614 Highland P. III. 167.
It is understand that diuers within the Ile [of Islay] ar obleist be thair infeftments to haue galayes and birlingis 1667 Ib. II. 28.
John was necessitat … to seek … a galay to transport him … to Ireland(b) a1500 Henr. Fab. 2795 (B).
Withowtin hors, brig, boit, or ȝit gallay 1570 Leslie 216.
The uther gallayis … passit quietlie cleirwayis into France a1578 Pitsc. II. 90/26.
They wald nocht fight … aganis ane meinȝie of cairllis cheinȝeit in gallayis 1615 Highland P. III. 228.
That the principall gentilmen, and vtheris of the Ilandis, be comandit to attend … with tua gallayis(c) a1585 Maitl. Q. vi. 26.
Castellis schut gunnis, schippis and galeyis [: dayis] ?1549 Monro W. Isles 21.
It is a havin sufficient for Highland galeyis in it c1650 Spalding I. 237.
Ane Spanish fleit, consisting of threttie gallyis [etc.](d) a1578 Pitsc. II. 176/11.
Thair was maid wpoun the locht of Airthour saitt gaillayis and ane castell a1585 Polwart Flyt. 592 (T).
With … girdis of gaylayis c1615 Chron. Kings 176.
Thrie schippis, and ane gailley 1632 Fife Synod 113.
Sinsyne … redacted to as gryt slaivrie … in ane Spanishe gaillie
b. Attrib. with men, snout.1558-66 Knox I. 220.
So the galayis and the galay men did boyth eschape a1578 Pitsc. II. 302/11.
The Inglis cannonis war styled … fornent the galay snowt of the castell
