A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1506-1507, 1562, 1632-1663
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Pillow, -ou, n. Also: Pellow. [e.m.E. pillow(e, e.m.E. and ME. pilowe, pillo, ME. also pil-, pylwe, pilewe, etc., pillow, pad, pillion, etc., OE. pylu beside pyle, whence ME. pyle, pile, pele, mod. dial. pill, peel. Cf. Pillie n.2]a. A pillow. Also comb. with -beirar. = Pillow-bere n.In Knox, ? after the Geneva Bible: sowe pilloues under the arme-hoilles, to give a false sense of security.1506–7 Treasurer's Accounts III. 276.
For … Melan fustian to the tua doun pillowis for the tua cradilles —1663 Kirkcudbr. Min. Bk. 187.
Twa pillowes and pillow beirares —1562 Knox Ressoning 189.
They be fals prophetes … that sowe pilloues under the arme-hoilles of wicked men
b. ‘The “truck” or circular piece of wood or metal fixed on the head of a pole or mast’ (OED., in which this is the only instance given). —1632 Lithgow Trav. iv. 154.
Then hoysing him vp to the pillow or top of the tree they let the rope flee loose whence downe he falles
