A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Hie-way, n. [Var. of He-way n.] A main road, a highway.
Also fig. (1) 1513 Doug. vii. Prol. 54.
The plane stretis and euery hie way Full of … myre, and clay 1567 G. Ball. 92.
Quhen fra the hie way I ga wrang Ib. 239.
Keip furth the hie way 1571 Bann. Memor. 145.
In the Gallowley, vpon the west side of the hie way betwixt Leith and Edinburgh 1602 Reg. Privy C. VI. 469.
[They seized their horses and] carryit thame furth of his Majesteis hie way to a darne place in the mure c1650 Spalding II. 3.
Capitane Forbes … is wairdit … for robbing of ane merchand man … be the hie way 1654 Mun. Univ. Glasg. I. 324.
To hold all … housses, biggings, … marresses, Hiewayes, rods. [etc.]1669 Salmon Borrowstounness 88.
That no persoune ... incrotch upon any hie wayes and passadges within the haill bounds foirsaids by delving ... thereof (2) a1500 Rauf C. 384.
The hie way to Paris … Cantlie on catchand a1508 Kynd Kittock 7.
To hevin the hieway dreidles scho wend 1533 Boece viii. xiv. 283.
Ambrois … went the hie way with ane gudelie cumpanyefig. 1591 R.
Bruce Serm.
190.
So
where men think to make themselves sure be slaughter, it is the hie-way
to cast themselves in greater unsuretie
b. Attrib. with person, rober.1662 Bk. Old Edinb. C. V. 99.
Aprehendit as notorious and hieway perssones as doeing many viollances in severall pairtes of this kingdom Ib.
William Taylor, Kaithraine Reid, hieway robers
