A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1400-1634
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Sty, n. Also: stie, stye. [ME and e.m.E. sti (a1225), sty (Chaucer), stye (c1400), stie (1573-80), OE, ON stí.] A pigsty. Also swyne(s) sty. b. transf. An opprobrious term for a habitation; a resort of evil or morally degraded individuals.(1) 14.. Burgh Laws c. 73 (A).
Na man within burgh sall halde swyne bot gif he haf … fed thaim in sty 14.. Acts I 37/2.
It is nocht leyfull til ony burges … for to halde swyne in the burgh bot gif he hafe a kepar folowand thaim in the feylde … or than that he hald thaim in sty ?a1450 Florimond 243.
Lyand … as beast in sty 1513 Doug. vi xvi 35.
The byrsit baris and beris in thar styis 1513 Doug. vii Prol. 82.
Fed tuskyt barys, and fat swyne in sty 1522 Wigtown B. Ct. 129a (1 Oct.).
That na swyne be haldin lois out of thare sty 1562-3 Winȝet I 45/12.
The vnclene baris, quha be filthie leuing … in thair stinkande styis infectis the tender burgeounis of the ȝong wynis 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Creffera.
Ane swines cruif … quhilk in sum auld buikes is called ane stye a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1066.
Litle wot the fow sw that lyis in the sty quhat the hungrie misters that gais her by(2) 1456 Exchequer Rolls VI 274.
Terre vocate Swynesty 1587 Carmichael Etym. 16.
A swine stie 1634 Wedderburn Gramm. 21.
Porcile, a swynes styeb. 1513 Doug. vi Prol. 168.
Vail que vailȝe War at Pluto, I sal hym hunt of sty 1573 Reg. Privy C. II 277.
The said Kirk … quhilk now is becum ane filthie sty and den of thevis