A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Rainy, -ie, -é, Rany(e, -ie, adj. Also: raynie. [ME and late ME reyny (Wyclif), late ME and e.m.E. rayny (c1460), rainy, f. Rain n.] Rainy.
1. a. Of tears: Falling (copiously) like rain.c1400 Troy-bk. ii 1599.
At the last hire rany teres [being] Dryed a litill
b. Of clouds: Bearing rain. c. Of stars, etc.: Associated with rain. d. Rainy bow rainbow.b. a1500 Henr. Orph. 498.
A rany cloud … Scho gert descend and kest betuene thaim two a1570-86 Maitl. F. 205/1.
Quhen Phebus in the ranie clude Oursylit had the bemes bricht 1604 James VI Minor Prose 91/26.
The raynie cloudes are often transformed and euaporated in blustering windsc. 1513 Doug. i xi 100.
The rany [Sm. ranye] Hyades Ib. vii Prol. 27. 1590 Burel Pilgr. i 222.
The dewing, Of ranie Orion, That dropitd. a1649 Drummond Wks. (1711) 56/2.
The seas we may not plow, Ropes make of the rainy bow
2. a. Of a period of time: During which (much) rain falls. b. In a participial phrase, with omission of headword (? weather or day). c. Of weather: Characterized by rain.a. 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 218 (see Raining vbl. n.1). a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1825) 355.
The somer seasoun was sa raynie, that … the cornes war rottin on the grunde 1659-60 A. Hay Diary 140.
Very rainie till nonne, therafter fairb. 1680 Sheriffhall Coal Accompt 7 Feb.
For 8 scopes for leaving being verie rainec. 1649 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 574.
We came at night to Uxeter, in most tempestuous windie and rainie weather
