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.
Quotation dates: 1539-1570
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Jolesy, Jolasie, n. Also: jolessie, joylessy, jolisie. [ME. (once) iolysye (1432–50); var. of Jalousy or Jelousy.] Jealousy, suspicion, mistrust, resentment. —(a) a1568 Mersar Bannatyne MS 213 a/39.
Gif mony luvaris thi lady will persew, Swa at thow leif nocht in jolesy, Scho is the bettir a1540 Freiris Berw. 178 (M).
Freyr Robert had a lytill jolesy, For in his hart he had ane persaving 1570 Leslie 113.
Sho [Margaret Tudor] conceavet sic joylessy and hatrent aganis him [Angus] that [etc.] 1570 Ib. 129.
Becaus thair wes great jolessie betuix the Quene [Margaret Tudor] and him [Angus](b) 1568 Haddington Corr. 271.
Thair culd na better way be fundin nor to saw iolasie betuix vs [sc. Mary and Darnley](c) 1552 Corr. M. Lorraine 362.
To have my bodie in daungere by those whom I have not offendede, nor hath no just cause, onles jolisie be taken
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"Jolesy n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/jolesy>
