Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Way, n. Also: waye, wa(i, waiy, waie, wae, va(y, uay, (waig), wey, weie, weay, weage, wy(e. Pl. also wayse, wayisse, wes, voyes. [ME and e.m.E. weie (c1175), weȝȝe (Orm), wæe(ȝ)(e (all Layamon), weiȝe (c1250), wey (1297), wai (Cursor M.), way (a1300), wegh (Destr. Troy), voyes (1541), OE weᵹ, MDu. weg, ON vegr, OF voye, voie.] 1579, 1617 Despauter (1579).
Trames, ane way

1. a. A road, track or path as a physical entity; a street or passageway; a particular road. Also pl. b. A route or course, usu. of a particular sort and freq. coinciding with a road or track as in a. Also pl.See also He-way n., Hie-way n., Path-way n., Pethway n.a., b. sing. 1375 Barb. viii 168.
A gret mos … That fra the way wes quhar men raid A bow-draucht 1439–40 Reg. Episc. Aberd. II 239.
My lande … lyande … apon the vest syde of the Gastraw … and the comon vay of the Owerkyrkgat 1460 Hay Alex. 3086.
He … cast stanis in the see … And maid ane way … About the toun that men suld ryd and ga c1475 Wall. v 285.
His hors stuffyt, for the way was depe and lang c1500 Fyve Bestes 209.
Ȝe haue bot nyne myle of the farest way 1513 Doug. ii xi 118.
Forto sers Troy, euery streit and way 1533 Boece 392b.
Kenneth … convoyit his cumpany, be ane lang lauborios way behind the mont fute 1532 Acta Conc. & Sess. (St. S.) 97.
Umbeseting of the way for the slauchter of Alexander Orrok 1569 Canongate Ct. Bk. 72.
Liand … betwix … the land of Robert Wode on the north parte and the commoun Kingis way on the sowth parte 1632 Lithgow Trav. vii 327.
Our way is serpent like 1654–5 Edinb. B. Rec. VIII 431.
For making ane way in langst the bridge for the hurril barrowes to cary the balist to the … key 1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 24.
I spered at the sheirers what might be the way to Richelieu 1677 Lauder Notices Affairs I 152.
The magistrats … met them in the coming doune the way at the land-marcat 1681 Stair Inst. ii vii § 10.
Our custom … measureth the way according to the end for which it was constituted … as having only a footroad, or a road for an horse to be led or ridden upon or only a way for leading of loads … or … carts or a way for driving of cattle 1682 Fraser Polichron. 149.
He … on the rod, the Highland way, fell in company with John, Earl of Athol(b) 16… in Bell. Livy I ix.
The copie of the leter … fune vnder ane staine in ane waig callit ane acombe neir vnto the toun of Isandamy(c) 1650–1 Dumbarton Common Gd. Acc. 175.
For mending the wye to the keyepl. 1400 MacRae Early Sc. Texts 7/18.
In boscis in ways in playnis in moris c1420 Wynt. viii 4653.
Endlang the wode war wayis twa The erle in the umast lay off tha a1500 Henr. Fab. 183.
Throw mony wilsum wayis can scho walk, Throw mosse … throw bankis [etc.] a1500 Henr. Orph. 249.
Ay he fand stretis and redy wayis, Tyll at the last vnto the yett of hell He come 1500–1 Acta Conc. III 16.
[That] the sade fewale may be led be ald usit wayis ewest and nerest til the sade abbay 1515 Edgerston Writs (Reg. H.).
The saidis half landis … to be iosit … in … gaittis wayis stankis medowis [etc.] 1600 Crim. Trials II 210.
So solitarie a part, being from all waies 1604-31 Craig i 32 (see Wayles adj.). 1641 Acts V 501/2.
To keepe the saidis wayes and passages in ther breadeth and integritie 1681 Stair Inst. ii vii § 10.
There is another distinction of ways … in public and private ways. Public ways are those which are constituted for public use and which go from one public place to another … this is called a highway [etc.]

c. transf.A route by other means than land or roads. See also sense 2 and 3 below for further examples. a1400 Leg. S. xvi 416.
One thare schuldris Mary can ma The takine of the croice … That mycht defend tham in thare vay. Than he & scho but abade … a schipe redy mad [etc.] a1400 Leg. S. xvii 14.
Scho drev Towarte Arle & wa yneucht Of Rone endlange one the flud 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 217/131.
The airmee … did ankeris uey & mak thaim for the uay

2. Be, in(till), on, (out of) (the, one's) way. a. At (from) a point on the road, route or journey, passing into (one's) immediate environment, implying an obstruction or unwanted presence. b. During, throughout the course of a journey.Some quots. in b may belong in a and vice versa.a. (1) 1375 Barb. vi 211.
Thai set enbuschement in the way a1400 Leg. S. xxix 845.
Eustace … hyr … kissit … & eftyr fanding that cuth say Brink his seruandis out of way 1602 Elgin Rec. II 101.
Johne Bandoquhie a buriar of a bairne be the waye betuix this and Glakmarres(2) 1616 Orkney & Zetl. Sheriff Ct. 72b.
She … set ane iog full of watter in the said Nicollis way ?c1675 J. Gordon Hist. III 201.
Such as wer in his way … they must beare him a lasheb. (1) ?14.. Ship Laws c. 22 (B).
Of a schyp brokyn be the way: A schyp passys fra Burdews … and it hapnys to … ryve [etc.] 1456 Hay I 154/29.
A thef that has reft him, or wald have reft him be the way 1460 Hay Alex. 1243.
Syne ordand gydaris and keiparis on the way, That merchandice mycht cum to thame nycht and day a1500 Henr. Orph. 218.
Fra the hevyn he went doun to the erde, Yit by the way sum melody he lerde 1489 Treas. Acc. I 117.
To Snawdon harrolde to pas to Berwic to meyt the imbassatouris of Spanȝe and to mak thare exspencis be the way a1500 Seven S. 975.
Lentulus … can requere That thai suld tary on the way 1512 Treas. Acc. IV 188.
In elimose to diverse personis be the way 1513 Doug. ii xi h. of ch.
Quhou Eneas … lost Crevsa by the way 1584-9 Maxwall Commonpl. Bk. 5b.
Sampsoun … slew ane wylde lyoun be the way ganging to his wedding 1602 Shetland Sheriff Ct. (ed.) 3.
Fyve barrell pick … thairof four delyverit … and the fyft alledgit brokin be the wey be the carearis c1650 Spalding I 297.
And be the way as thay cam, thay tuke horss, nolt, scheip, ky(2) c1420 Wynt. vi 1280.
Wyth a prest in till his way He ete, and bad wyth hym a day c1590 J. Stewart 115/24.
Icarus, in till his vay Quhan he for fleing meed him boune, So hichlie did him self assay, His feddrum faild(b) 1597 Misc. Spald. C. I 112.
Thomas Makkie … returning gettwardis from the water, with ane brown young naig … mett thé in his wy returnand ham

3. With verbs, etc. of travelling or movement: To ga, hold, ta, etc. a road, route, journey or direction, or a particular road or route, with way in object position but quasi-adverbial usage. Also pl. a. Const. the, that, etc. b. Const. possess. pron. c. On (the, one's) way, during or on the course of a or one's journey. Also pl.a. 1375 Barb. vi 555 (C).
[The dog] Held evyn the vay eftir the kyng 1375 Barb. vii 392 (C).
With all his cumpany Till Yngland he the vay has tane 1375 Barb. x 26.
On athyr halff the montane was Swa … stay That it was hard to pas that way a1400 Leg. S. xl 980.
Thane presit mony to conway Hyme to the gebet ewine the way ?1438 Alex. i 2130.
Hillis na valeyis sparit he nane, The narrest way to the king hes tane c1450-2 Howlat 468 (A).
We will speike of Dowglace, Quhat way he couth wend 1456 Hay I 135/18.
Had he … passit nocht [sc. to the wars] bot past ane othir way a1500 Henr. Orph. 243.
How Orpheus tuke the way To seke his wyf 1596 Dalr. II 341/28.
He thairfor leiueng the quene at Neoporte … intendis the hie way to Scotland 1600-1610 Melvill 44.
They … cam hame Loudon-way, be Berwik, to Edinbruche(b) a1400 Leg. S. xxv 567.
The wey he nome … to Romepl. c1590 J. Stewart 54/39.
Be monie valey, vildernes and toune And all the seis of Libia and Spaine … Thir vayis I wat he neuir vent in vaineb. 1375 Barb. vii 27.
Thai … entryt in the watter … & held doun endlang thar way c1420 Wynt. vii 2787.
Thare he furtheryd all hys waye All honorably … And in his land come ?14.. Ship Laws c. 25 (B).
Qwhen at thai [sc. a ship's crew] hafe weddyr that is gude [they ought] to pas thair way 1478 Acta Aud. 65/2.
Ther is a part of the auditouris past ther way c1475 Wall. iv 138.
Robert the Boide stall of the toune his way 1501–2 Treas. Acc. II 139.
To ane man … that passit his way in Franch 1524–5 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 74.
Geif ȝe vyl gre, I will pas maye way, and geif ȝe vyll nocht gre, I wyll rest hyme to your challans 1536 Dunferm. B. Rec. I 17.
[It] salbe lesum to gang thair way wytht the gudis one the merkat day 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 55.
The first man … ran his way, and … drew the rest … to fle efter him 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 132.
We touke our leive and come our way c1590 J. Stewart 32/72.
Besyd tham scho no moir abeed, Bot turns hir horse, and taks hir vay 1623 Perth Kirk S. MS 19 May.
Scho chappit him on the schulder, saying ‘Go thy way’(b) a1400 Leg. S. vii 726.
Thai lewit the howise, & ȝed thar wa 1535 Stewart 36802.
Tha bad gude nycht and hame thair wa is gone(c) a1500 Lanc. 1426.
Weie a1578 Pitsc. I 80/11.
Sua Johnne Douglas … tuik his weage … being accompanit witht his brother 1582 Lanark B. Rec. 89.
For feir of my lyf, I lap the stair and fled my wey(d) a1589 Maxwall Commonpl. Bk. in Paisley Mag. (1828) 382.
Tak ȝowr leif and pas ȝour waepl. 1375 Barb. iii 257.
Had thai fled and thar wayis gane 1375 Barb. vi 436 (C).
The flearis thair wais tais To the castell a1500 Henr. Fab. 114.
To seik his meit this cok his wayis went 1575–6 St. A. Kirk S. 416.
Thairfoir he and his wyffe yeid thair wayis 16.. Hist. Kennedy 5.
Takand his horse … cam his wayis 1648 Edinb. Surgeons 199.
He most contemptouslie … past his wayes furth of the convening hous(b) a1578 Pitsc. I 11/1.
Thy voyes vend [1728 voyage bend] To Athoillc. (1) ?1438 Alex. ii 52.
The king … can … say ‘Gude man, quhether art thow went on way Or quhan thow come … ' That ald ansuered … 'Fra wildernes … To ane tempill'pl. a1500 K. Hart 797.
He stall away and went on wayis wyde(2) 1375 Barb. iii 594.
Till the king wes fer on his way 1375 Barb. xix 759.
Thai … raid furth hamwart on thar way 1513 Doug. i ix 87.
Gallandis, cum on ȝour way, Entir within our lugyngpl. a1500 K. Hart 770.
Fayr Dame Plesance on hir wayis ar went

4. Applied to a means of access, the route in. 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 82.
Kingis servandis … wer examinat quhilk way the murthereris come in

b. To mak (someone) way, to make way for, give passage to (a person). 1375 Barb. ii 373.
He … Sa … hewy dyntis gave That quhar he come thai maid him way

5. Applied to spatial direction. 1632 Lithgow Trav. vi 276.
From whence we saw … to the westward in the way of Egypt the castle of … Elisha

6. In collocation with terms indicating distance: Length of route travelled, distance. 1375 Barb. xiv 497 (C).
A myle of way Fra the cite thar rest tuk thai a1400 Leg. S. xvi 596.
Thu … this far way for hir has lacht 1513 Doug. iii viii 96.
We gan aspy … Ethna … Alang way thens 1513 Doug. xii x 134.
Of thar … deray The large hald resundis a far way 1632 Lithgow Trav. v 176.
There came a man and two women swimming to vs more then a mile of way

7. fig.a. A spiritual or moral path; a course (of action); a route or direction as applied to life in general or to a particular situation. b. A person's way of life, behaviour or habits. Also applied to the ways of God, how God behaves or what He prescribes for man. Also pl.a., b. sing. a1400 Leg. S. xviii 743, 746.
I sal … with penance hald that vay That best to me awale may So that thu myn mastres be … in wa of sawete c1460 Thewis Wysmen 133.
Tyll hald the mydlyng vay Is best c1460 Wisd. Sol. (STS) 451.
Mony man makis a slak in an-vthir manis vay and fallis fyrst tharin 1490 Irland Mir. III 1/27.
The proper way & maner of knawlage … as teichis Arestotill c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 174/14.
Welth, warldly gloir [etc.] … Ar all bot thornis laid in thy way 1513 Doug. x Prol. 101.
O Lord, the ways [Sm. Thy ways] beyn investigabill! 1524 Douglas Corr. 89.
I dred the Erll of Arane will caus the Quenis grace to gay the way at is nocht the weill off the Kyngis grace … I feir at thai sall gange the Dukis way 1532 Acta Conc. & Sess. (St. S.) 123.
[That he had asked Lord Flemyng] to gang to sum gude way betwix him and the said William his tenant c1590 Fowler I 299/121, 122 (see pl.). ?1661-5 M. Bruce Soul-Confirmation 16.
The soul-confirmmed that keeps Gods way shall gete the crown of the causay 1677 Maxwell Mem. II 326.
I am sorrier then I can tell you of my newoy's way. I wish the Lord may giue him right thoughts of itpl. c1420 Ratis R. 527.
Can nan so weill the vays rycht Till first makar … As simpill treuth can a1500 Henr. Fab. 2855.
Ane bodie that hes neid, To help thame self suld mony wayis cast c1500 Makc. MS v 42.
Sen … thow man fair And knawys nocht the wayis rycht Owt of this warld … Quhethir to hel or hewyne 1513 Lett. James IV 312.
[Henry has no intention of keeping] gude weyes of justice and equitie 1526 Acts II 312/1.
Drawin his grace to thar invtile gydschip and evill wais 1533 Boece 45b.
Lat ws common of pece and gude wayis 1559 St. A. Kirk S. 7.
To walk fordwart in the waiis of the Lord 1598 Melvill Propine 36.
Wey the pathes of thy feete that all thy waies may be streight c1590 Fowler I 298/119.
God Hath drauen théfurth of these wayes, the paith and trayning rod And ualks of deip destructioun … To leade thé in the onlye way of … hop … Bot fallou on thy way And lywelye course 1618 Trial Isobel Inch 12.
The … juglour … prommeist to hir gif she wold use his ways [etc.] … she demandit quhat ways ar these of yours, and … he answerit, It is to go with the Pharie 1644 Baillie II 132.
The wayes of the court are desperatelie irritative 1653 Dumfries Kirk S. 22 Sept.
Is rebuiked befoire the sessione henceforth to looke to his wayes

c. Applied to a person as a moral or spiritual guide. a1500 Henr. Fab. 677.
Ȝe ar the lanterne and the sicker way Suld gyde sic sempill folk as me to grace 1581 Burne Disput. 23b.
Christis callit the vay [etc.]

d. To have way of (something), to follow a course of action with regard to (something), to have use of (it). 1534 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 141.
That he resaiffit never the bell cros nor the auld boll … nor hes vay of thaim nouder in prevyce nor part

e. Furth, out of the way, out of the way, not involved, excluded from a situation. 1570 Misc. Bann. C. I 48.
Sa wald I that thay war furth of the way, gif it war possibill 1570 Leslie 25.
The King … compassed his purpose … dispatching out of the waie all theis as he any waies mistrusted

f. Out of your way, unsuitable or harmful to one. 1674 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS 24 June.
Gif yow be unresasounabill assure yourself yow sall not be imployed heireftir which may be more out of your way nor all yow can tak from him

g. Be the way, as an aside, incidentally. 1562-3 Winȝet II 46/31.
Thir thingis ar spokin, as it war be the way; ane wther tyme mair fullelie to be tretit 1632 Lithgow Trav. v 228.
And now by the way I recall the aforesayd Turke

8. A route or means of interpretation, a fashion or manner of doing something.(a) 1490 Irland Mir. II 147/12.
And our this spekand … amang gret … theologis is tane twa wais 1490 Irland Mir. III 40/16.
Diuers persounis resauis this haly sacrament be diuers wayis and maneris quidam spiritualiter alii sacramentaliter c1490 Irland Asl. MS 8/1.
He … has left ws mony and syndry wayis medicinis and remedis c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 245.
Than said the weido, I wis ther is no way othir c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 137/70.
Thé for to pleis thai socht all way and mein 1551 Hamilton Cat. 11.
Merchandis that usis unlesum wais of bying and selling 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 78.
Be quhat mean and way makes he them halie? 1603 Philotus 729.
Schaw me the maner and the way, And I ȝour bidding sall obey(b) c1590 Fowler II 88/8.
Thir tua dyvers wyes of governement

b. Be, for, in, (up)on mony, etc. way(is. Also with omission of prep.Cf. also Alway adv., Alwayis adv., Likeway adv., Likewayes adv., Monyway adv., Na way adv. phr., Na wayis adv. phr., No way adv. phr., No wayis adv. phr., On-na-way adv. phr., On-na-wayis adv., Ony-way n. phr. (adv.), Onywayis n. phr. (adv.), Otherway adv., Otherwayis adv., Quhat way adv. phr., Quhat wayes adv. phr., etc.(1) sing. c1400 Troy-bk. ii 1606.
Thai … Suld haue gret ill be mony way a1500 Seven S. 1038.
The dure he lokkit … And … the keyis lay Wnder his hed quhill that he slepit Thus in all way was Janot kepit a1500 Seven S. 1444.
Scho bad him downe in the devill way a1578 Pitsc. II 262/9.
Be this vay Edinburgh gat the war 1657 Fraser P. 125.
To the effect publick burdens of the shyre may … be setled … in ane equall and impartiall weypl. a1500 Henr. Fab. 2033.
Ȝone ar hering … I reid that we se for sum wayis To get sum fische 1490 Irland Mir. I 8/11.
Tharfor in the chepture folowand I sall schaw be vthire wayis, quhat [etc.] 1533 Boece 80.
This kinrik quhilk be sa mony lauborios wayis our antecessouris conquest 1533 Boece 177.
The hare is euer in continuall raddoure, scho rynnys ithandlie and may sone be slane be sic wayis 1533 Gau 95/15.
We haiff iii tempers (and we ar tempit be iii vayis) c1530-40 Stewart in Bann. MS 88b/11.
Thairfoir submit thé … And in all ways wirk as thay devyis 15.. Clar. iii 2091.
Beholding on hir in grathlie wayis 15.. Clar. iv 1212.
The justeris upon gudlie wayis Enterit c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus ii 37.
[He] saluist thame on his best wayis 1560 Rolland Seven S. 1373.
Ȝe se this quene be wayis wrang Willing put doun this proper chyle a1578 Pitsc. I 3/2.
Ingyne of man be inclinatioun In sindrie wayes is giwin as we sie(b) a1624 Edinb. Univ. MS La.ii.319.
Quhen hevinlie thingis I mak my prope I knawe no chaing in anie wayisse(2) a1500 Seven S. 2199.
Quhen Merling this way had spokin The king sperit [etc.] 1513 Doug. v Prol. 32.
Tharon [sc. Virgil's works] aucht na man irk … he altyrris hys style sa mony way 1513 Doug. xi iii 51.
Drances, that had full gret envy At ȝyng Turnus, all way to hym infest For ald malyce 1531 Haddington B. Rec. in Soc. Ant. II 403.
Gyf the kirkmaister wares any monie by the masonis ony other waiy bot on the pet it to be dissalowit Arundel MS 250/345.
Seing that thou art the birnyng fir, all way illumyng … the vnderstanding of thi creaturis a1658 Durham Clavis Cantici 105.
A conversation some way lavelled to the adorning of the gospel 1687 Dunlop P. III 42.
She to whom thow art every weay as dearpl. a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 432.
Unhonest wayis all, wolroun, that thou wirkis 1528 Calderwood I 79.
We have found … Mr. Patrik manie wayes infamed with heresie 1570 Leslie 25.
Theis as he any waies mistrusted a1578 Pitsc. II 275/1.
As to thair commissioun it was dyueris wayes judgeit 1596 Dalr. II 454/2.
To defend him against the force of all, al wayis [L. insidias], and thair counsellis 1607 Reg. Privy C. VII 513.
Bot, contrary wayes, suche has bene the diligent cair of your ministeris heir, upoun … that [etc.] 1638 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 51.
As alsua the inbringing of the same from England or ellis wyes 1674 Edinb. B. Rec. X 169.
Whatever act … wherein the hospitall is any wes … concerned 1699 Misc. Maitl. C. II 234.
To cause ingrave … may be profitable … severall wayes a1700 Haigs of Bemersyde 477.
If any should alidge that the lairds of Coldenknows did fish or make any ways up of the loch, first, he was a nightbour [etc.]

c. Be (on) na (..) way, on (be, of, in) na (nayne) wayis, also with omission of preposition, by no means.(1) sing. a1400 Leg. S. x 485.
His … infirmyte Mycht be helpyne be na way a1400 Leg. S. xxvii 1371.
It war nocht spedfull be naway a1400 Leg. S. xxxvi 432.
He one na kine wai wald syn c1420 Wynt. v 271.
Offt walde he say That that hym lykyd be na way 1513 Doug. ix iv 54.
Be na way may I tak eys nor rest 1560 Rolland Seven S. 3251.
My pyat … can not be na way nor ingine Ony lesing into hir hart deuine 1567 Sat. P. iii 117.
The fauour of God be na way could he winpl. ?1438 Alex. i 1743.
Vpon his leg sa lay the steid That he on na wayis micht vpryse 1456 Hay I 3/12.
I can se be na wayse [pr. way se] that it may wele be 1513 Doug. xii xiv 78.
Ne can he fynd [etc.] … Nor be na ways persaue hys cart a1540 Freiris Berw. 96 (M).
The ȝettis ar closit … Till our abbay on nawayis may we win c1560 Old Ross-shire I 13.
In respect that … the persewars never libellis thame to haif had possessione of the samyn of naywais aucht to be deliverit again to thame c1560 Old Ross-shire I 14.
In nay wais 1565 Irvine Mun. I 52.
This on nayne wayis ye luif undone 1569 Q. Mary in Facs. Nat. MSS III lix.
The said pretendit maryage is one na wayis lauchfull 1621 Acts IV 616/2.
Wreateris … to … keip and in nowayis to exceede the saidis pryces(2) 1531 Prot. Bk. J. Brydin No. 142.
That the said partes … suld not revok nor nane vay agane call the decreit

d. Be (in, upoun) way of (a person or thing) (1) by means of, by the action or intervention of, by some particular specified person, action or event, (2) according to (law, justice).(1) sing. 1447–8 (1449–50) Reg. Great S. 70/2.
The said landis to be distroublit or vexit be way of Inglismen 1456 Hay I 201/22.
I say he may defend him … again his juge and he wald invade him be way of dede 1461 Liber Plusc. I 336.
Be way of conquest 1490 Irland Mir. I 17/12.
We knaw nocht be way of inscicioune … hou [etc.] 1542 Grant Chart. 88.
Be waye of deid of my one-frindis I am secludit fra my iust heretage 1551 Breadalbane P. No. 79.
Duncane Landes … be way of hamesukin come to the hous [etc.] 1556 Digest Justiciary Proc. B 126.
Vpoun auld feid foirthocht fellony and way of hamesuckin 1564 Reg. Privy C. I 275.
In caise … the saidis partiis … sal … be hurt … or persewit be utheris be way of deid 1591–2 St. A. B. Ct. 10 March.
Violentlie be force and waye of deid hes ruggit doun the … lintill … of … his said dur 1604 Shetland Sheriff Ct. (ed.) 108.
That Jhone Scot be wey of foirstalling hes koft ane ox … quhilk wes laid in pledge 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. (Latin) i 96.
Indictamentum [marg. Be way of dittay] 1650 Moray Synod 108.
Killing a child be rash striking of him in way of correctione c1650 Spalding II 142.
Mr. Alexander Colvein, justice deput, and Mr. Alexander Hammiltoun, justice clerk deput, held ane justice court at Elgin be way of committe 1672 Acts VIII 84/1.
The process was required … by way of instrument vndir a notars handpl. a1500 Lanc. 306.
Lancelot … be the wais of fortoune … makith the accorde(2) 1456 Hay I 244/10.
Nocht gaynstanding that be way of lawe all sauf conduct suld be traist 1483 Acta Conc. II cxxxii.
Be way of justice his Majeste suld caus our soverane lady … to be restorit

e. Be, in na, ony, etc. maner of way, also with omission of preposition, by no, any, etc. means or way.(1) 14.. Burgh Laws c. 96 (A).
In na maner may he again call that lande … na the byar put out of that land in na maner of way [B. on ony wyse] 1482–3 Acts XII 32/1.
He wes neuire posonit nore his deid be na maner of way imaginit 1490 Irland Mir. III 50/32.
The gret luf that Jhesus has schawin to him in a thousand maner of wais 1506–7 Glasgow Dioc. Reg. II 162.
Neuer … to … inquiet the forsaidis … be na maner of way, fraude nor coloure 1517 Treas. Acc. V 129.
For complet and hail payment of all maner of soumez aucht to Margaret Crechtoun be ony maner of way 1536–7 Glasgow Prot. IV 103.
Oblissis thame nocht for to intromit with the lawboring nor profet of the twa akyrris of land … in na maner of way 1578 Conv. Burghs I 64.
In quhat maner of wy we may help 1672 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS 11 Sept.
That the said Helene sall keip his majesties peace … in all maner of way(2) 1469 Acts II 96/2.
All … that slais smotis with crelis or ony vthir maner of way [etc.] 1508 Reg. Privy S. I 253/1.
Landis … to be had in fee or franktenement ony manner of way 1512 Dunferm. B. Rec. I 188.
Nor yit na manir of waye circumuenit [etc.] 1533 Bell. Livy I 45/7.
I can nocht afferme that Numa was lerned ony maner of way be Pithagoras 1551 Hamilton Cat. 29.
Trewly we suld keip thame thre maner of wayis. First [etc.] 1568–9 Mill Mediæv. Plays 173.
That na persone … cum furth of his awin lugeing with menstrallis or ony vther maner of vay efter nyne houris

9. a. The way or means by which to do (something), by quhat menis ane might do (something) or that or how (something) might be done. c1420 Ratis R. 109.
Gyf thow ȝarnys to se the way To met with grace, I trow thow may Cum thar-to best one this maner a1500 Henr. Fab. 430.
In his mynd he kest The ieperdies, the wayis, and the wyle, Be quhat menis he micht this cok begyle 1492 Myll Spect. 284/17.
How beit all his sure keping scho maid sic wayes that Jubiter … come to hir c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 451.
Wise wemen hes wayis and wonderfull gydingis … to bejaip ther jolyus husbandis c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 137/70.
Thé for to pleis thai socht all way and mein 1560 Rolland Seven S. 3735.
To se gif thay culd find the way or cast, Fassoun, ingine, supplie, meane or remeid, Or ony help to saue thame self fra deid 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6514.
How ȝe sall do, the way I sall ȝow leir 1561 Q. Kennedy Compendious Ressonyng (ed.) 154/13.
That Abraham … inventit wayes and meynis to worschip God 1570 Leslie 73.
Certane of his counsall inventit moyennis and wayis to conqueis landis 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Particata.
There be knawin … mony and diuers wayes to mette land 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 311.
The lands of Moortoun … a plat very capable of improvement, and no marches … betuixt that and Bunchrive, which gave him way to incroach

b. To give (a person) way to a course of action or to do (something), to give (him) leave or permission. 1623 Aberd. Council Lett. I 208.
Give this salbe maid unusefull unto thame as doubtles it will prove give way salbe gevin to this intendit cours 1649 Kingarth Par. Rec. 14.
That … Archibald was … devorsed and that he was in expectatioune the judicatories of the kirk would give him way to Mary

10. comb. Wayfairing (Fair adj., cf. 2 e), ? the action of making a good surface. Wayfare, vaffer (Fare n. 1), passage, a stretch of distance covered. Wayflame [e.m.E. fleme (1523)], = walaid. Walaid, etc. (Lade n.³), a water-course constructed to serve a mill. Way kenning, see Ken(n)ing vbl. n. Wayleif, waiglive (Lefe n.², Leve n.), wayleave, permission to cross a person's land for some purpose as building, carrying materials, etc. Waysyd (Sid(e n.), the side of a road or way. 1641 Kirkcaldy Presb. 204.
Item for the brew houss chimney making … Item for way-fairing the floore of it 12 sh. — 1592 Mining Rec. 80.
He allegis that Scottis men vil vork better and mair easie it is noch possible to men to myn cast sinkes vaffers big myls quha never saw ony siclyk 1609 Hilderstoun Silver Mines I 223a.
Irne wedges to brek a craig in the wayfare fra the stampmylne 1686 Kirkcaldy B. Rec. MS 26 July.
When they begin thair casting at the eist end therof and cast ane sufficient lenther or wafair for drying of the moss — 1470 Yester Wr. 69.
The wayflame behynd the myln pot sal pas oure the gate — 1547 Reg. Great S. 33/1.
Cum molendino … et … statione aque lie daming in aqua de Air, aqueductu et cursu ac lie walaid ejusdem 1547 Reg. Great S. 39/1.
Cum molendino … cum statione aque … aqueductu, cursu et lie waylaud pro deservitione dicti molendini 1557 (1587) Reg. Great S. 419/2.
Molendinum de Newtoun … cum terris molendinariis … et cum statione lie dammyng aque, aqueductu ac lie wayleid 1591 Reg. Great S. 656/2.
Molendinum … cum sequelis, lie knaifschipe et ringcorne, aqueductu lie dam, waled et wattergait 1594 Exch. R. XXII 561.
Atque dicto cursu de lie weylaid pro deservitione prelibati molendini — 1645–6 Dumbarton Common Gd. Acc. 148.
Aill … in remembrance of his favour of wayleiff to the tolbuithe 1680 Torry Coal & Salt Wks. 82b.
To my Lady Cleish for waiglive of stone to pans a boll of salt — 1675 Erskine Diary 224.
They haveing darned themselves upon the waysyd in a wood [etc.]