Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

Spray, n. [ME and e.m.E. sprai (1297), spray (a1300).] A slender shoot, stem or twig, chiefly coll. 1375 Barb. xvi 64.
The moneth off May, Quhen byrdis syngis in ilk [C. the] spray a1500 Henr. Fab. 870 (Bann.).
The spice than spred to spring on euery spray c1500-c1512 Dunb. (STS) xlvi 21.
Fresche Flora hes flurest every spraycoll. (1) 1375 Barb. xvi 64 (C) (see above). ?a1500 Rosw. & Lillian 485.
When he came to the forrest … He looked down upon the spray … And saw [etc.] 1513 Doug. iv x 9.
All beistis and byrdis … amang buskis harsk, leyndis vndir the spray, Throu nychtis sylence slepit c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus iii 819.
As the rois dois springe of thornie bus, Sa did Mary hir virginitie, Sprang of the spray c1590 J. Stewart 19/153.
Ane mychtie noyes resounds about the spray, As men and horse thair haid arryuit beine c1590 J. Stewart 220 § 81.
Ane blomit frondis bocage gay … quhair birdis blythlie sang On prettie sproutis of this paintit spray(2) c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 51.
Als quhite as blossum upon spray c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 29.
Thair faceis meik, … Quhyt, seimlie and soft as the sweit lillies Now upspred upon spray as new spynist rose