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.
Rex, n. [e.m.E. to keep a reuell rexe (1566), to play the rex (1570), reakes (1575) pranks, tricks, to keep revell rex (1576), to play Rex (1578) to domineer. This sense is evidently associated with L. rex, but the evidence is not clear as to whether this can be taken as the source.] —1585–6 Melvill in Misc. Wodrow Soc. 438.
Whereas I supposed that our folks should have used that authority … to goe to reformation, I find all contrariwise. The King playing Rex, scorning and taunting all, boasting the poor, and bragging the rich … and so furth
