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

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Fas, n. Also: fasse. [App. OE. fæs, glossing L. fimbria.]

1. A tassel. (Common in 16th cent.) 1473–4 Treas. Acc. I. 22.
Item, vj vnce of silk for fassis to the samyn harnessing 1494 Ib. 228.
To mak knoppis and fassis to the harnysing of briddillis and teis, xxxij pirnis of gold 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. i. 308.
In richest claith of gold … But fas, nor uther frenȝies, had it none Id. Æn. x. xiv. 100.
With helm on hed … , Abuf the quhilk his tymbret buklyt was, Lyke till a lokryt mayn with mony fas 1539–40 Treas. Acc. VII. 285.
For twa knoppis and ane fas to ane renȝe c1550 Rolland C. Venus i. 137.
With girdill of gold, … With fassis fyne, nane fairer mycht be found 1600 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 275.
Ane grene claithe with fassis to ly befoir the sait of the bailleis … in tyme of sermones 1649 Glasgow Weavers 123.
Thair is nyne ellis of velvous, and of silk to be fassis

2. A thing of little value. a1500 Henr. III. 171/47.
Sik gouuernance I call noucht worth a fasse 1513 Doug. iv. Prol. 157.
Says nocht ȝour sentens thus, skant worth a fas? a1568 Bann. MS. 134 a/3.
Sic freitis I hald nocht wirth a fas c1590 J. Stewart 65/12.
Quho pouer hes my propos to defend, Thocht skairse it vey the valeur of ane fas