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: 1497-1596, 1688-1689
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Lyar, n. Also: lyare, -arr, -er, -oure, liar(e, lyre. [Ly v.; e.m.E. lyer (1583– ) only in sense 3 below.] That which or one who lies.See also Land-lyar n.
1. A carpet or rug or a coverlet. Also comb. with mortclaith.1497 Treasurer's Accounts I. 369.
For xvj elne of damas, to be the Kingis lyare … For xvj elne of bukram to lyne the Kingis liare 1498–9 Acts Lords of Council II. 297.
Twa cappis of torches, … ane lyare before the chimnay, the price iij li., twa chandillaris on the alter 1503 Treasurer's Accounts II. 213, 4. 1506 Ib. III. 267.
Ane gret doun hed of the Kingis … Payit to Hary Ropper for xj pair of lyre, xiiij s. 1506–7 Ib. 370.
For ij ½ stane of tollis, mending of the liaris, doun taking of the arres clathis 1516 Inv. Wardrobe 28. 1536 Treasurer's Accounts VI. 458, 1537 Ib. 314. 1541 Ib. VII. 468.
Ane lyar and twa cuschionis to the Kingis grace sait in the chapell of Halyrudhous 1542–3 Ib. VIII. 164.comb. 1512 Treasurer's Accounts IV. 354.
Deliverit to the said broadstaris … for Sanct Duthois sark, ane lyar mortclaitht, the capis for the Kingis chapellis [etc.]
2. The nether mill-stone; also comb. in lyar-stane. Cf. Lyand ppl. a.1589 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 136.
Ane sufficient gangand myln with … ane lyar of nyn ynsche, with ane thyn rynnar of twa ynsches thik 1594–5 Ayr B. Acc. 184.
[To buy] ane lyar stane [for the mill] a1689 Cleland 68.
With lyer, runner and the happer
3. One who lies (in the grave, dead on the ground).1531 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 143.
Anent the segstar, that he … raise nocht na pathtment for na liaris within the kirk … vnder the pane of paying of the layre him self 1596 Dalr. I. 292/15.
The Scotis … heidet thair the deid lyeris
b. One who lies or hangs back. = Ly-by n., Bylyar n.See Ly v. 8 c (2).
c. ? = Lying-dog n.1585 James VI in Laing MSS. I. 54.
Faill not … to bring with you the fairest, youngest and best lyoure or bludhounde that ye can be any meanes purchaise
4. A ‘shoulder-lyer’, a cut of beef above and in front of the brisket and below the runners (Mrs. Beeton's Cookery Book, 1890, p. 29). Also lyar-peece.1688 Edinb. B. Rec. XI. 275, 276.
[From 1 Dec. to 1 June] the price … of the best beeff shall not exceed … It. the foresey and rumple peeces [2s. 4d.]. It. the lyar peeces and rinners [1s. 8d.] … [From 1 June to 1 Dec.] the lyars and rinners to be sold for one shilling the pound
