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.
Quotation dates: 1597-1661
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Holey, Holely, Holie, adj. Also: hollie. [e.m.E. holy, hollie (1552), f. Hole n.] Having holes; holie work, open work. — 1597 Edinburgh Testaments XXX. 170 b.
Twa elnis of braid sewit holie work ribbanis 1640 Black Bk. Taymouth 350.
Of holland scheittes ... schewit with hollie work a1661 Rutherford Lett. 83.
An old holely garment a1661 Ib. 196.
Time shall … wear our troubles threadbare and holey
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"Holey adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/holey>
