A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Polipus, -pys, n. Also: ? polup. [ME and e.m.E. polipus (Trevisa), -lippus (c 1520), L. pol-, pōlypus, from the Gk., cuttle-fish, tumour; also ME polipp- (c 1400) tumour, e.m.E. polipe (1583) octopus, F. polype, OF polipe (c 1265), and e.m.E. pulpe (1601), poulpe (1681), MF poulpe (1546, Rabelais).] A polypus, a cuttle-fish or an octopus. —1525 Household Bks. Jas. V 21.
[Empt … .j turbo, j leing, xxiiij polupj 1526 Ib. 55.]
Empt … .in merlingis, polupis, kipperis 1581-1623 James VI Poems 121/64.
The lapstar feares for polipus & polipus againe For congre eill feares Ib. 179/621.
Enuye … quho restleslie doth gnau her self auay Lyke famisht polipus [v.r. polipys]
