A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1375-1599
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Palfray, n. Also: -fra, -phrai; pal(l)efray; and Pamfray. [Early ME. palefrai (12th c.), ME. palfray (c 1330), OF. palefrai, late L. palafredus a light horse.] A riding-horse (as opposed to a war-horse); a palfrey. Also attrib. 1375 Barb. ii. 118.
Thow sall tak Ferrand my palfray 1375 Ib. xii. 18 (C). ?1438 Alex. ii. 6400.
Ane palfray wele ambland 14.. Acts I. 360/2.
The best palfra fallis to the ayr and he be nocht gyffin to the kyrke or to sume religiouse man 1456 Hay II. 8/11.
My pallefray throu his soft passing gave me curage to slepe a1500 Taill of Rauf Coilȝear 276.
Ane pauyot preuilie brocht him his palfray The king … lap on in hy a1500 Golagros and Gawane 129.
The knyght … Reynit his palfray of pryde a1500 King Hart 898.
To fayr dame Plesance … My prowde palfray vnsteidfastnes I leif with fikkilnes hir sadill set on syde a1500 Buke of the Sevyne Sagis 977.
His palfray strake he with his spure c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxi. 1 (R). c1550 Rolland Court of Venus ii. 1033.
Palphrais c1575 Balfour Pract. 234. a1586 Lindsay MS. 63.
He … montit to his palfray and went furth hestelyattrib. 15.. Clariodus iv. 436.
Hir palfray-geir Was wrocht with stone and pearle rycht potent
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"Palfray n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/palfray>
