A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Slepy(e, Sleipy(e, adj. Also: slepie, sleip(i)e, sleepy, -ie. [ME and e.m.E. slepie (a1225); Slep(e n. Cf. OE unslǽpiᵹ sleepless, NFris. slîpig, Du. dial. slepig, etc.] a. Sleepy, somnolent. b. Producing or inducing sleep. c. Experienced during sleep. d. Characterised by sleep or sleeping. e. Sleeping. f. In a place name.a. 1456 Hay II 135/32.
A man that … slepis his naturale slepe … sa that in his wakenyng he be nocht paysaunt na hevy na slepy c1500-c1512 Dunb. (STS) xxvi 69.
Syne Sweirnes, at the secound bidding, Come lyk a sow out of a midding, Full slepy [M. sleipye] wes his grunȝie c1500-c1512 Dunb. (STS) xxvi 71.
Mony slute daw and slepy [M. sleipe] duddroun, Him serwit 1535 Stewart 39554.
And also slepie, as wes ony sowb. 1513 Doug. vii xii 127.
Hys slepy charmys had no fors nor mycht, Ne herbis gadderit [etc.] 1549 Compl. 67/32.
Morpheus that slepye gode 1611-57 Mure Early Misc. P. i 1.
Quhen Morpheus, with his sleepie vaile, Apollo's brightnes did assailec. 1513 Doug. x xi 94.
As the slepy dremys … makis illusionys, Quhen mennys myndis oft in dravillyng gronysd. 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 152.
There is a great difference betwixt a sleepy disease and death; for men are not dead suppose they be sleepande. c1650 Spalding II 15.
And not avaik those sleipy lionis to oure owne distructionsf. 1628 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV 309.
Sleipie Hillok
