A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1464-1465, 1516, 1578
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Ruby ballas, -ies. Also: -bal(l)at or -ac. [Ruby n.1 and adj. The second element is f. ME and e.m.E. balase (1414), also in ruby ballais (1596), and (a) balleys rubie (1611), OF balais, balai, f. the Persian district-name, Badakhshan.] ‘A delicate rose-red variety of the spinel ruby’ (OED s.v. balas).1464–5 Reg. Episc. Aberd. II 164.
Et a gret ruby ballas in medio 1516 Inv. Wardrobe 25.
Ane blak hatt with ane hingar contenand ane greit ruby ballat [or ? ballac (Jam.)] with thre perlis 1516 State P. No. 22.
Balat [or ? balac] 1578 Inv. Wardrobe 267.
Tuelf ruby balliesis sett in gold anamalit with quheit blew and blak
