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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.

Kylis, Kilis, Killis, n. pl. Also: kyles, kyll(i)s, -es, kyillis, -ies, kyiles; kiles, kils. [e.m.E. (once) kiles (Minsheu, 1617), otherwise only Sc.: corresp. to ME. kayles (c 1325), caylys, keyles (1388), e.m.E. kayles, keil(e)s, mod. south. Eng. dial. ca(i)les, kales, e.m.E. and mod. Eng. also keels, keals, prob. f. MDu. keghel, kegel, keil, keyl, tapering stick, ninepin, cone, etc. (or the Sc. word may be f. F. quille in the same sense and ? of the same origin).]Sometimes editorially misread as kytes, kyttis, kits, as, e.g., quots. 1675, 1631 below.

Skittles or ninepins or, chiefly, the game played with these. (See note in Ratis R. (S.T.S.) p. 120.)(a) c1420 Ratis R. 1242.
Now at the lwm, now at the killis, Now at the prop, and vther-quhillis Ryne at baris 1496 Treas. Acc. I. 275.
In Drummyn, to the King to play at the kilis xxviij s. 1622 Elgin Rec. II. 171.
Alexander Duffis sone [and three others] playing at the killis efter the first bell on Sonday efternoyne 1675 Rec. Old Aberd. II. 68.
Reported [March 28] that men and boyes uswally playit kils [ed. kits] in the Snow Kirkyard(b) 1506 Treas. Acc. III. 192.
To Watte Turnbull, quhilk he wan fra the King at the kyles xxviij s. 1565 Aberd. B. Rec. MS. XXVI (Jam.).
Sic playis is wnlefull, and speciallie … goif, kylis, bylis, and sic wther playis 1589 Perth Kirk S. 188.
Forasmeikle as at the playing of the kylles … the Sabbath is broken … ordains the bailies to cause break them, and note their names that play at them 1597 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. 337.
Secludand all playes of futeball, cache, kyllis and vther games … bot allanerlie the buttis 1610 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 312.
Scolleris and printicis … haunting the yardis quhair the alie bowlis, Frenche kylis and glaikis ar usit 1631 South Leith Rec. MS. 27 b.
[March 31,] Refered the players at the kyllis on the Sonday to the magistratis Urquhart Rabelais i.
They found nine flaggons set in such order, as they use to ranke their kyles in Gasconie(c) 1597 Elgin Rec. II. 51.
Gif he beis fund playand kyillis in ony tyme heireftir 1601 Ib. 90.
Alexander Mill [with three others] accusit for passing the tyme on the Sabboth daye at the kyiles the tyme of preiching 1633 Aberd. Trades 203.
Playing on the Sabbath day … at golff, fute ball, kyills, bowllis … or other pastimes whatsomever 1634 Ib. 218.
Kyillies