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.
(Fire-,) Fyre-spere, n. Also: fyir speyr, fyr(e) speir. A spear carrying fire with it.1538 Treas. Acc. VIII. 159.
For chaftis to fyre speris 1549 Compl. 42/2.
Ȝe soldartis, … mak reddy ȝour corsbollis, hand bollis, fyir speyris [etc.] 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 105.
Ane fort … quhairin wes artailȝerie, schote, fyre ballis, fyre speris [etc.] 1622-6 Bisset II. 220/14.
The admirall … may put in the saidis schipis, … ane paveis, ane fyre speir for [ilk] thrie tun a1651 Calderwood IV. 614.
The gibbets at the Croce were brokin doun with fire-balls and fire-speares
