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.
Lill for Lall, phr. Also: lil, lyl, leile and lal, law: also law for leill. [Cf. OE. lǽl (= weal, stripe) wið lǽle (rendering L. livorem pro livore), and e.m.E. lill for loll (1581, 1639).] To quit or play (a person) lill for lall, to give tit for tat, to requite. —c1420 Wynt. iii. 263.
Thai come … To bynd and led away Sampsone And to quyt hym lyl for lal [: the barnage alle; C. lil for lall; W., E.2 lill for law: the barnage aw; L. law for leill: the barnage hale] Ib. ix. 1507.
Youre men thai spare nocht for to sla … Bot ay tha qwyte yow lill [C. lil, E.2 leile] for lall [C. lal, A., E2., L. law] Or that thai skale thare markat all [A., E.2 aw] 1535 Stewart 30221.
Scho murdreist this ilk king, And so that tyme scho plaid him lill for law [: knaw]
