A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
May fall, Ma fal(l, adv. phr. [North. ME. mai fall (Cursor M.), ellipt. f. (it) may fall (May v. 8 a, Fall v. 5 b).] Only in early verse: Perhaps, perchance. —1375 Barb. ix. 376 (E).
Thai war with in, may fall, … slepand all a1400 Leg. S. xvi. 487.
It ma happyne wele scho be Ma fal ȝet nocht fullely ded ?1438 Alex. ii. 4163.
The tane of thame … Or, may fall, baith —(See Fall v. 5 b for further examples).
