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 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Haliday, Halyday, n. Also: halieday. [e.m.E., ME. halliday, halyday, haliday, OE. háliᵹdæᵹ, beside the uncompounded háliᵹ dæᵹ Haly day.] A consecrated or holy day; esp. one regarded as a day of recreation and freedom from work, a holiday. 14.. Acts I. 335/2.
Thai fische apone the haliday [L. in diebus festis] 1474 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 29.
The bauchlaris of the said laubour, … quha at beis tayntit tane thairwith on halidais or werkdais c1490 Irland Asl. MS. I. 12/27.
Quhat is syn … thai may knaw on the halyday be heryng of preching 1507 Edinb. Chart. 191.
The halidayis that hapnis within the samyn [acht dais], sic as Alhalow pay, Saul mes day [etc.] 1513 Doug. i. ix. 95.
Sche … commandis halyday, Throwe owt the cyte all suldbe game and play 1520 Peebles B. Rec. 51.
All solempnit festis, dowble festis, Sondais and halydayis 1532 Acta Conc. & Sess. MS. I. 2.
Summondis … to be callit … olklie upoun Mononday, and giff Mononday beis haliday [etc.] 1558-66 Knox 51 (J).
In the hinderend of thai dayis that are callit the Haliedayis of Yuill 1577 Mill Mediæv. Plays 160.
([Accused] for the mantening of the tuentie fyft day of December … as ȝwill day, halding the same halyday and abstening fra labour for the maist part with festing and playing

b. Attrib. in haliday belt, haliedayis cleis. 1604 Dundonald Par. Rec. 52.
Kaithrein Makteir beand seik scho sen … to … Marioun Forgushill, for hir haliday belt 1617 Sutherland Corr. 132.
Bring hame ane stand of haliedayis cleis to him vith the furnising, cloik, dovbillet, [etc.]