A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Harmisay, int. Also: harmysay, harmesay, harmissa. [Appar. harmis, s.v. Harm n. 2 (and 2 b), and Ay adv.] An exclamation of grief or distress.a1400 Leg. S. xxxviii. 214.
Allace! allace! harmys ay! Quhat sal I wrech[it] woman say? a1487 Gud Wife & D. 102.
Than ‘had I wittyn’ will thai say, With mony ‘allas’ and ‘harmesay’ a1500 Seven S. 508.
Scho grat and cryit ‘harmisay’ 1535 Stewart 22637.
‘Bot now’, he said, ‘allace, and harmissa! For all that welth is went full far awa, c1552 Lynd. Mon. 5973.
Than sall thay say, With mony hydduous harmesay, Allace! gud Lorde 1584 Sempill Sat. P. xlv. 1090.
Beleiving it had bene blood he bled, Cryand out, harmesay 1603 Philotus clv.
Allace, and harmisay, … quhat sall I say Of this vnhappie chance?
