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 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Moris, -ys, -eis, Moryis, Morreis, n. [e.m.E. mores (1507), morys (1547), morres (1560), -is (1589), absol. use of Moris a.: cf. OF. morisque, morixe in same sense.] A morrisdance. = Moris-dauns n. Also transf., and attrib. with -bell. — c1500-c1512 Dunb. lvii. 8.
Sum singis; sum dancis; sum tellis storeis [v.r. storyis]; Sum lait at evin bringis in the moreis [v.r. moryis] 1512 Treas. Acc. IV. 399.
Payt to Monsure Lamote servitouris, that dansit ane moris to the King, x crounis of wecht 1513 Doug. xiii. ix. 112.
Thai fut it so that lang war to devys … Thar morysis and syk ryot, quhil neir day 1615–20 Song Title in Dauney Anc. Sc. Melodies 8.
Ane Alman moreis —transf. 1571 Sat. P. xxix. 35.
Sum for the hure garris heid thameselff, and is not that a morreis —attrib. 1612 Halyb. 289.
Bellis called halk bellis, moreis bellis