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.
Spay, v. Also: spai, spa. [North. ME spa (Cursor M.), ON spá.] tr. To prophesy, foretell. —c1420 Wynt. vii 451 heading (W).
How a knycht that wes full ald Said [E.2, Au. spayit] of the gud quene Mald 1460 Hay Alex. 14793.
And Egipt out of thirldome ȝe sall bring As quylum spayit Nectanabus the king 1513 Doug. ii iv 89.
Thocht scho spayit the suthe, … Quhat euer scho said Troianys trowit nocht a word 1513 Doug. xi viii 54.
O wytles wyght, pronunce that, and declar Sik chance betyd ȝon Dardan capitane, And spa [L. cane] sik thyng onto thy dedis ilkane! 1513 Doug. iii vi 28.
The Harpye Celeno Spays [Sm., Ruddim. Spais] onto ws a feirful takyn of wo
