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.
Lif(e)gard, n. Also: lyf(e)- and -garde, -gaird, -guard. [e.m.E. life-guard (1648), lief- (1648), var. of Levegard, with first element conformed to (Eng. and Sc.) life n.] A bodyguard of soldiers; the regiment providing the royal bodyguard. = Leve-gard n.1648 Misc. Maitl. C. II. 467.
Who shall be Generall of the army and captaine of the Princes lyfguard c1650 Spalding II. 65.
Generall Lesly … cam with his lifegarde and colledge of justice 1650 Acts VI. ii. 629/2.
The foot lyfegaird ?a1648 Polemo-Mid. 79.
Lifeguardamque sibi sævas vocat improba lassas 1680 Edinb. B. Rec. X. 407.
Ther wes quartered upon them fourty of his Majesties lyfeguard of horse 1686 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Deeds II. 246 (2 Sept.).
[Louis Menȝie … one of the gentlemen of H.M.] lyfguards
