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.
Playok, Plaig, n. Also: playak, plaige, playg, plague. [Play n. and v.1 and dimin. -o(c)k. Also in the same forms (and also plai(c)k) in the mod. dial.] A plaything; a toy.(a) c1420 Wynt. ix. 588.
This byschap … [An]owrnyd his kyrk wyth fayre jowallis Westymentis, bukis and othir ma; Plesand playokis [C. phialis] he gave alsua c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 4287.
He … send till him ane message haistalie With certane barnis and playakis scornandly That was to say a gold staff and ane ball And ane scurge stik to drife ane top withall(b) 1508 Treas. Acc. IV. 137.
Payit to the said Matho for mending of the princis playg of silvir xij d. 1591-2 Rob Stene 16.
He makis of ȝow ane chyld And puttis a plaig in to ȝowr hand 1595 Duncan App. Etym.
Crepundia, bairnes plagues 1603 Treas. Acc. MS. 265.
Certane plaigeis, babeis and uther small necessris for the vse of his hienes sone 1610 Brechin Test. II. 82.
Ane boist full of bearnis plaigis sundrie sortis 1632 Edinb. Test. LVI. 23 b.
