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: 1513, 1567-1599, 1652
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Pli-, Plyabill, -able, a. Also: -abyl(l. [e.m.E. ply-, pliabylle (Cath. Angl.), -able, F. pliable (15th c. in Godef.), f. plier Ply v.1] a. Of a material thing: Easily bent into a different shape. b. Of a person: (To be) disposed (to do something); amenable (to reason); ready to conform (to rules). —a. 1513 Doug. i. ix. 125.
Ane rych garmont brusyt with stife gold wyre … That pliabill was with the gilt bordour large 1513 Ib. x. iii. 43.
Ane circulet of plyabill [Sm. plyabyll, Ruddim. pliabyl] gold —b. 1567 Gude and Godlie Ballatis 35.
For Christ … To saif vs is ful plyabill Gif we repent 1599 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 81.
Ye sall find me plyable to all reasone 1652 Dingwall Presb. 241.
That all … be plyable to the ordenances of the saids kirks
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"Plyabill adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 16 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/plyabill>
