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.
Pas-, Pass-, Pase-key, -kie, n. [Pas n. or Pas v. Cf. Pas-lock, also mod. Eng. pass-key (1835), previously appar. only Sc.] a. A key for opening a particular lock. b. A key which operates any one of a set of locks. —1633 M. Works Acc. (ed.) II. 330.
For gilting of twa pase keyes 1685 Soc. Ant. LVIII. 355.
5 pas kies for the doors in the house Ib. 368.
All the doors within & without the house have pass locks on them which answear to open with the pass kies. And all the presses & studies within the house answer to the litle pass kie 1699 Black Bk. Kincardineshire 84.
[The thieves] did … enter in at the door having opened the same with a pass-key
