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: 1399-1500
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Likame, Lic(h)ame, n. Also: licaym, lykame, lycome. [ME. licham (Gen. & Exodus), licam (Cursor M.), lycam, lykame, etc., early licome, licama, OE. íichama, -homa, ON. líkame, líkam-r: see Lyke n. In ME. latterly west midl. and north. in verse (chiefly alliterative), and not found after the 15th c. In Sc. only (with Lekame q.v.) in 14–15th c. (allit. and non-allit.) verse.] One's body; also, one's dead body, corpse.(1) a1400 Legends of the Saints xxxi. 676.
That don, [she] helyt hir lycame c1450-2 Howlat 900.
The Howlat … lukit to his lykame [B. licame] that lemyt so licht a1500 Golagros and Gawane 294.
Sall never my likame be laid vnlaissit to sleip Quhill I have gart yone berne bow a1500 Henr. III. 98/61.
Vnlusum was his likame dicht, His sark was all bludy a1500 Ib. 115/31.
Luk thow my laythly lycome gyf I le c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 999.
Throw his eent weid men saw his fair lykane [sic, rh. with name](2) c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace vii. 281.
With a claith I couerit his licaym [1570, lichame]
