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

Ches, n.¹ Also: cheis, chais, chas(s)e. [ME. chess(e, ches (c 1300), AF. and OF. esches.] The game of chess; a set of chess-men; a chess-board and men. ?1438 Alex. ii. 3699.
The ches was asked sone, … And men thame brocht … ane chekker Ib. 3707.
The ches of sapheris war … And of topace c1420 Ratis R. 1246.
[To] play … Now at the tablis, now at the ches a1500 Bk. Chess 32.
Vther sum … Gois to the riall sporting of the ches Ib. 93.
The fyndar of this chessis sport 1510 Treas. Acc. II. 97.
To the King to play at the ches c1530-40 Stewart Bann. MS. 96 a/19.
Halking, hunting, and archery. Iusting and cheis c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 1050.
Till euerie solace he was abill, At cartis, and dyce, at ches, and tabill 15.. Clar. iii. 1146.
Ane tabiller of chase … Of gold all wrocht with pretiouse stonis Ib. 1166.
The ches royall, Whairof the men war all of massie gold 1555 Carte Northberwic 70.
The said Ihone sall nocht play noder at dice nor chartis nor ches nor tabillis 1560 Rolland Seven S. 7596.
For thair pastime thir twa went to the ches 1584 Edinb. Test. XIII. 191 b.
Ane pair of tabillis & ches with men 1640 Bk. Pasquils 99.
It seems to some that Brittaine (by the Masse) Is now in earnist gaming at the chasse