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 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Bla, Blae, n. Also: blea. [f. Bla,a.] A livid mark on the skin caused by a blow. (Cf. Bla a. 1.)All the examples are from northern sources. 1559 Inverness B. Rec. I. 28.
[He] is jugit in admerciament for blud drawyn and makyn of bla on Barbara Nyn Person 1572 Elgin Rec. I. 131.
Found in amerciament for … giffing the said George thairwith on the arme bla and bluid 1602 Shetland Sheriff Ct. 31.
For giffing ane blea to Marioun … to pay 1 merk 1608 Rec. Old Aberd. I. 325.
Quhatsumeuir persone … complenis on vtheris to the ballies (except it be on bluid or blae) 1641 Elgin Rec. I. 271.
Persone[s] … convenit befor the provost and baillies … for bluid, blae, or anye wther ryott committit be tham 1645 Ib. 180.
Wnlawit … for blood and blae giffing 1673 Justiciary Ct. Rec. II. 179.
50£ … was a pain equal to the offence, their being neither blood nor blae