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: 1375-1438, 1499-1599
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Par-, Perfay, -fai, -fey, interj. Also: -faye; purfeye. [ME. and e.m.E. parfai (Cursor M.), -fay (Chaucer), perfay (1550), AF. par fai or fay, OF. parfei. Cf. Parpref. and Fay n.] By (my, his, etc.) faith; verily, truly, indeed.Only in verse in Sc., chiefly in the rhyming position.(a) 1375 Barb. i. 123, etc.
For wnfayr thingis may fall perfay Als weill to-morn as ȝhisterday a1400 Legends of the Saints iv. 71.
Perfay now sal we se Gyf [etc.] a1400 Ib. i. 448. c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 75 (C).
Perfaye ?1438 Alex. i. 884, etc.
Bot thai Gouernit thame-self wysly perfai c1420 Wynt. viii. 4457 (C).
Thar was the wengeans tan parfay Off the brynnynge of that abbay a1500 Henr. Fab. 2014 (Ch.). a1500 Tale of the Colkelbie Sow ii. 28 (B).
Suithlie scho is nother perfay 15.. Dunb. App. ii. 35. 1513 Doug. iv. iii. 46, etc.
Venus … sayd … Pas on befor I follow thé perfay a1540 Freiris Berw. 241 (M). 1540 Lynd. Sat. 844 (B). 15.. Clariodus iv. 1312.
Perfey 1560 Rolland Seven Sages 7122.
Madame, that sall I not perfay(b) c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 568 (D).
Purfeye
