Dictionary of the Scots Language
Dictionar o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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Harmisay, int. Also: harmysay, harmesay, harmissa. [Appar. Harmis n. 2 (and 2 b), and Ay adv.] An exclamation of grief or distress. Allace! allace! harmys ay! Quhat sal I wrech[it] woman say? Leg. S. xxxviii. 214.
Than ‘had I wittyn’ will thai say, With mony ‘allas’ and ‘harmesay’; Gud Wife & D. 102.
Scho grat and cryit ‘harmisay’; Seven S. 508.
‘Bot now’, he said, ‘allace, and harmissa! For all that welth is went full far awa,; Stewart 22637.
Than sall thay say, With mony hydduous harmesay, Allace! gud Lorde; Lynd. Mon. 5973.
Beleiving it had bene blood he bled, Cryand out, harmesay; 1584 Sempill Sat. P. xlv. 1090.
Allace, and harmisay, … quhat sall I say Of this vnhappie chance? Philotus clv.