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.
(Miln-,) Myln(e)rey, -ray, n. Also: mill-, myl(l)and -ra, -ree, -roy; and meillré. [e.m.E. milleray (1611), milreyes, -raye(s) (1589), Portuguese milreis, f. mil thousand and reis.] A Portuguese gold coin equal to 1,000 reis. Also comb.(a) 1590–1 Crail B. Ct. MS. 9 Feb.
Ane dowbill ducat, twa mylne reyis off guid gold and wecht 1591 Wedderburn Compt Bk. 140.
To bring me hame myln rayis of gold and wechtcomb. 1581 Edinb. Test. IX. 278 b.
xlij mylnroy doucattis at xlv s. the pece(b) 1594 Edinb. Test. XXVII. 218.
Ane angell, ane myll ra, ane crosat doucat 1595 Ib. XXVIII. 268 b.
Tua mylrais at iiij merkis the pece 1604 Dundee Shipping P. 78.
Seweintein meillreis 1683 Erskine Diary 8.
The 2nd proclamation was that the Spanish millrees pass current
