A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1375-1420, 1475-1501
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Avale, Avail, v. Also: awale, availle, awaill. [ME. avale (early 14th c.), availe, OF. avaler, f. the phrase a val ‘to the vale’.]
1. tr. To let down; to lower. 1375 Barb. xv. 134.
Thai that within the castell weir … syne the bryg avaled [E. awalit] doune 1375 Ib. xvii. 620.
Thai flaggatis byrnand in a baill, With thair cren thoucht thai till availl [E. awaill]
2. intr. To descend, come or go down; to drop or flow down. c1420 Wynt. ii. 1178.
The swn rycht fast avaland was c1420 Ib. ix. 856.
Thai saw thair fais … Owte oure a bra downe awaland c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace viii. 1189.
The humyll breyth doun fra the hewyn awaill [= avalit] 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. Prol. 103.
Ouir excelland licht … gerris the blude awaill Vntill the hart
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