A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
(Scale,) Scaill, Skail, Skayle, v. [ME and e.m.E. scale(n (Wyclif), skayle (north., a1400), skale (Lydgate); Scale n.3 Cf. MF escaller (15th c.) (OED).] tr. To climb (walls) by means of scaling-ladders; to attack, or enter (a city) by force, using scaling-ladders. Also fig. —a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1825) 143.
Thay assailyeit the castell on the east syd whilk was easilie win; bot thais that scaillit on the wast syde thay war repulsit 1628 Fugitive Poetry II vii 4/34.
To see a bresh defended and assailde, A fort most bravelie forc'd, a city skailde —fig. c1590 Fowler I 146/10.
Your beautye … skaild the walls of my vndantond harte Ib. 172/14.
The rampiers of thy rigour for to skayle
