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.
Smy, n. Also: smye, smiy. [?] A knave, rascal, scoundrel; minion. Only in verse.1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 705.
Thow subtell smy [etc.] 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 944.
Sister (said scho) behald ȝone bysning schrew A subtell smy [L. smye] (considder weill his hew) Standis thair bound and bekinnit hir to me c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 113.
Quhen the smy [M. smiy] one me smyrkis 1513 Doug. xiii Prol. 131.
‘Ȝa, smy [Ruddim. son],' quod he, ‘wald thou eschape me swa?’ a1585 Polwart Flyt. 565 (T).
The loun man lik his womeit and deny His schameles sawis lyk Sathanis slavish smy a1585 Polwart Flyt. 635 (H).
Sen all his suith that's said of this smye a1585 Polwart Flyt. 729 (H).
Theif smye! they wald cry, fy! fy!
