Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Pay, Pa, Pey, v. Also: paye, pai(e; pae, paa; peye, pe-; py; paiȝ-. P.t. and p.p. pait, payit(t, payt(t, paye(i)t, -at, payte, paiid, payid(e, -ed, payd(e; pate, patt; peyit(t, peyte, peyed, peyd(e, peid; paeyt; pyit, -et, -ed, pyd. [ME. and e.m.E. paien (a 1225), pai, pay (Cursor M.), paye, paiȝe (14th c.), p.t. paide (c 1275), payde, -ede (14th c.), paied (1434), p.p. paid (c 1200), paȝed (13th c.), payyd (Prompt. Parv.), F. payer (12th c. in Littré) to pay, OF. also to appease, satisfy, L. pācāre to pacify, med. L. also to pay, f. pāx peace.]For many further instances see Annual n., Annuel n., Bludewite n., Contributioun n., Cost n.¹, Custum(e n., Dew n.², Dewite n., Fe n.², Ferme n., Gersum n., Hereȝeld(e n., Ladill n., Legacy n., Male n.¹, Mettag(e n., also ransoun, teind, wage, etc.

1. tr. To satisfy, content, please, gratify.Chiefly in passive, to be (well, ill, etc.) pleased or satisfied (of (= with or at) something).Not found after the 15th c.(1) c1475 Wall. ix. 791.
Than Wallace said ‘This mater payis nocht me’ 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 203.
Of ladyis fair and gudlie men arrayit In constant weid that weill my spreitis payit c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 135 (Ch. & M.).
Thoght his pene purly me payis in bed [etc.](2) 1375 Barb. xiv. 234.
Tharfor he maid of vyne lufre Till ilk man that he payit suld be a1500 Seven S. 1714.
The covatus empriour was weile payd(3) c1400 Troy-bk. i. 131.
Hercules that was [notht] payd Of the wordes that Jasone sayd c1420 Wynt. vii. 1673 (C).
Kynge Henry … was weil payit [v.rr. rycht blyth, richt fane] of the casse 1450 Peebles B. Rec. I. 15.
[That they] govern thaim … at God be payd of thaim quhen thai hyne pas 1456 Hay II. 165/7. a1500 Rauf C. 70.
With thy thow wald be payit of sic as thow fand [etc.] Ib. 580.
Richt weill payit was the king Of Schir Rollandis cumming a1500 Seven S. 2160.
Tharof he was full hartly payd(4) a1500 Prestis of Peblis 959.
Sir I prayȝou be not euill payit nor wraith a1500 Seven S. 1166.
Attour mesour scho was ill payd a1500 Lanc. 907.(5) c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 621.
His keperis was ill payit he com sa neir(6) c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 1816.
The message com till Alexander the king The quhilk was nocht ill payit of that thing a1500 Prestis of Peblis 1114.
I am displeisit and ill payit of thy pane a1500 Seven S. 325.
This pynull … frut bure neuer nane Tharof the burges was ill payd

2. To give (another) his deserts, to punish, to chastise; also spec. to beat, thrash.b. To pay (another) his rewarde, id. ?1438 Alex. i. 2672.
Thair-with [sc. his sword] he payit that he met c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 1964.
Thocht we wald him pay fane of his trew 1584 Sempill Sat. P. xlv. 434.
Auld creased workis payit with crackit crownes 1635 Dundonald Par. Rec. 396.
It was ordained that thair parents sould … pay them befoir the minister or els pay ane penaltieb. 1596 Dalr. I. 161/23.
He was sa tyrannous to his awne that Galdie … payet him justlie his rewarde

3. To satisfy (another) by remuneration or recompense; to make due payment to (another).(1) 1456 Hay I. 173/11.
For he is his lord … quhill he have payit him or acordit with him a1500 Bernardus 366.
In fyrst thow pay thi seruandis, consel I 1524–5 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 75.
Geif Jok Thomsone sweir it mair … paye hyme a1540 Freiris Berw. 74 (M).
Cum heir fayr dame … fill this stoip agane … For or we pairt full weill we sall ȝow pay [B. full weill payit sall ȝe be] 1613 St. A. Baxter Bks. 80.
And to pay and satisfie the craft conforme to [etc.] 1658 R. Moray Lett. 9/19 Mar.
To pay myself at the millar of Carstaris rate(2) 1431 Reg. Great S. 44/2.
We will that … Patrik be payit of the formast penys cummand of the said baronry 1498 Acta Conc. II. 285.
For a certane soume of money assignit … apone the sade lord … and in the menetyme gif he war nocht payit nor plesit be the lord that [etc.] 1600-1610 Melvill 6.
Never ouk past bot all sort of warkmen was weill peyit 1657 Sc. Ant. XIII. 35.
Hammermen of Magdalen's Chappell wold hear of no agriement … until they were payed for the tyme bygane 1667 Red Bk. Menteith II. 169.
Ether by selling, woodsett or borrouing untill your lordship be pyed(3) 1674 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 214.
Gif John McColme had payed ten punds with the web it wald have payit Tailcroft

b. Const. of or for the services or goods for which remuneration is due or the amount of the debt to be repaid.(1) 1456 Hay I. 135/34.
Quhethir gif the marchand salbe payit of his hors Ib. 138/10.
He may … ger him be payit of his travaill 14.. Reg. Paisley 375.
Be yt knawyn … me … tyl be fullely asythyt and payt of thre pwndis achte to me 1496 Acta Conc. II. 15.
That he was plesit and payit of the tother half of the sade lxxxiii li. Ib. 26.
Edward sal be payit of the saide soume … of the erest and redyest gudis of the next justice aire to be haldin at … Drumfreis 1527 Wigtown B. Ct. 195 b.
Quhyll the said Jhone vare pait of a kempyll of haye 1531 Dunferm. Reg. Ct. 48.
To pref Jhone Duncan pait of five pundis 1537 Glasgow Prot. IV. 103.
Without that thai be nocht paeyt nor inlowsyt … of the nyne bollis … meyle yeyrle 1546 Reg. Privy C. I. 51. 1566 Grey Friars II. 52.
Pait 1567 Ib. 53.
To mak him be ansuerit and payt of the saidis sowmes 1641 Kirkcudbr. Min. Bk. 165.
Peyit(2) a1500 Rauf C. 291.
Call furth the gude wyfe lat pay hir or we ryde For the worthie harberie a1500 Prestis of Peblis 658.
And wil ȝe gar the king to that consent For it I sal ȝow pay and content 1668 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Deeds I. 227.
To furnish … drinke to them during ther building … and to pey them therfoir 1691 Douglas Chart. 346.
He was payed be the Estates for eight hundreth men till Lambes 1690

c. Const. of a certain specified repayment or payment. 1394 Liber Aberbr. II. 43.
Quhen he has endyt that werk he sal be payt of v marcis and a gown with a hude til his rauarde 1456 Hay I. 43/8.
[They] suld be payit of thair wagis [etc.] 1477 Reg. Episc. Brechin. I. 201.
That we mak the saide reuerende fathir be contentit and pait of the secunde teinde 1498 Acta Conc. II. 225.
That the sade Ysabell was payit of the malis gerssoumes [etc.] 1534 Rec. Earld. Orkney 218. 1570 Canongate Ct. Bk. 261.
Gif he hes fullelie payit the said Williame Logane of the sowmes of money for the victuall foirsaid 1624 Elgin Rec. II. 183.
That James Layng be payit weiklie of viii s. be the balleis 1675 Charter (Reg. H.) C.O. 24 Jan.
Payed … of the meallis … & dewties … for the said cropt lastbypast or the liquidat pryces thairof

d. With double object: To pay (another) (a certain payment).(1) 1456 Hay I. 140/11.
He may nocht compell him to pay his men wagis bot at his list 1522 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 65.
Alexander Graye … is condampnit to paie James Seisfurd the sowme of viii s. 1551 Hamilton Cat. 98.
Quha that payis nocht servandis and lauborous men their feis 1624 Edinb. Test. LII. 274 b.
His ȝoungest sone to be peyit … at the ischew of his prenteischipe … the soume of xxx li. money(2) 1456 Hay I. 121/20.
Quhethir suld he hald prisoun with him that takis him or with the lord that payis him wage Ib. II. 60/22.
Quhen he … payde tham all that he hecht thame 1475 Prestwick B. Rec. 26.
That … all thir personis forsaid … suld haf pait him his fee 1485 Acta Conc. I. 1/2.
Ther procuratouris allegis that thai haue pait him all the said male excepte the said a ȝere 1531 Glasgow Prot. IV. 32.
That Mungo Hawston sal pae hym four merkis yeirlye 1639 St. A. Baxter Bks. 56.
What the sojours wints [of food] … shall be payd them so soone as it comes into the magazin

4. To render, to, till or unto another, a certain payment or service.Also, less commonly, with the order of the constituents, (direct object, sc.the payment) and (to, till or unto the recipient), reversed.For further examples see Content v. 2.(1) c1420 Wynt. iv. 1660.
He Payid till his knychtys large fe 1434–5 Reg. St. A. 424.
Payand ȝherly to the said reuerende fader priour [etc.] 1489 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 549.
To pay to me … the sowm of twa hundreth li. in gold 1501 Treas. Acc. II. 101.
Payit to the Inglis that tha laid doun for losing of … [a] bote 1508 Reg. Cupar A. I. 273. 1557 Orkney & Shetl. Rec. I. 263.
To pay to me … foir ilk merk land ilk yeir ane leische pund butter at Alhallomes 1582 Conv. Burghs I. 147.
We … hes … payitt to ȝoure grace customeris the just and dew paymentt of oure gudes 1582–3 Cochran-Patrick Coinage II. 317.
Payeit 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 97.
He sall pay to his parents the valour of his marriage(b) 1479 Reg. Cupar A. I. 231.
Thai paiȝand ȝerly for the said twa takkis to ws in maile and al wthir chargis as tha pait of befor 1501 Red Bk. Menteith II. 304.
Thai sall pai to the kingis henes for ilke persone landit xl lib. [etc.](c) 1518 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 45.
Jhone Jak to content and paa to Rechert Hammiltoun [20 s.] 1537 Soc. Ant. II. 399.
George Rychartson sall pa to the tressaurer 20 s. at Whitsonday(d) 1555 Reg. Cupar A. II. 123.
Thae peing ȝeirlie therfor to ws … the sowme of sex merkis [etc.] 1560 Edinb. Old Acc. II. 101.
Peyit 1589 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. 247.
To pey to Thomas Lowrie xliv s. a1633 Hope Major Pract. I. 136.
The husband … to pey to his wyfe yeirlie ane certane … quantity of wictuall 1660 Misc. Maitl. C. V. 232.
Quhosoewir refuises … sould pey to the stewart the pryce of ane quart aill(e) 1641-8 Skipper's Acc. (Smettone) 16.
Pyet to the vyer 4 li. 5 s.(2) 1432–3 Ayr B. Ct. 143b (19 Jan.).
Qwyll he the said Jhon payt to the sayd Bethy [16/8d.] … the qwylk som the said Bethy patt beforhand to the said Jhon att his gret myster 1478 Acta Aud. 80/2.
That … he behufit to haue pait it again to the said master Gawain Ib. 81/1.
Gif he has pait ony sowmes … to ony vther persouns, vtheris na be the avis of the said Thomas 1489 Dunferm. B. Rec. I. 12. 1533 Gau 60/11.
Pay quhat thou aw to me 1536 Haddington B. Rec. in Mill Mediæv. Plays 250.
Ylk man to pa xl s. to the kyrk maister 1542 Annandale Corr. 2. 1640 Acts V. (1817) 323/1.
That … sould … pey his heall debtis to his creditouris … efter his debtis wer peyit(3) c1420 Wynt. v. 132.
barnage hale sayd that he mycht Wythhald the trewage … That Julyus Cesare before wan And payid was till Octovyan 1493 Lindores A. 180.
The said fermys to be mett and payit to the said abbot 1494 Peebles B. Rec. I. 194.
Pait 1517–18 Reg. Privy S. I. 464/2.
Ane pensioun … to be pait to him … quhill [etc.] 1579 Conv. Burghs I. 96.
Thair expenssis … can nocht instantlie be pyit to thame 1589 Exch. R. XXII. 68.
His fee pait to him during his liftyme furth of the castelwardis of Edinburgh 1629 Dumfries Test. I a. 194.
Hir legasies … be peyit to the persones abone conteinit 1633 Acts V. 39/1.
A competent maintenance to be locallie payit furth of each kirk to the minister(4) a1500 Henr. Fab. 1233 (Bann.).
To thé a sowme I payit befoir hand For certane breid 1535 Stewart 20426. Ib. 20586, 34245.
Siclike tribute … As tha war wont to Maximus to pa

b. Also const. of the payment. 1501 Acta Conc. III. 6.
Til pay til the … convent of Cowper of ane stane of walx til the lycht of the sammyn yeirly

5. Without explicit mention of the recipient: To render or discharge (a payment).(a) (a) 1396 Sc. Ant. XIV. 218.
And gif yt sal happyn the forsayd lorde erle til pay the forsaid soume othirwayis … than [etc.] 1397–8 Liber Melros 498.
That I … sal paye ilke wowke fra theine furth halfe a marc of gude mone of Scotland c1420 Wynt. v. 509.
Off fors he suld pay at he awcht a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 143.
Alse deir as segis will sell Payand the price 1482 Edinb. Chart. 168.
The men of Orknay and Cathnes and thare gudis payand sic like havin siluir 1485 Acta Conc. I. *110/2 (see Excrescence n.). 1517 Mill Mediæv. Plays 140.
Askit to pay ane vnlaw of viii s. 1584 Sempill Sat. P. xlv. 469.
For kaill [etc.] … He never payis ane penny he takkis 1603 Shetland Sheriff Ct. (ed.) 88.
For sclandering … to pay iv merkis(b) 1522 Selkirk B. Ct. MS. fol. 92 a.
The said Rauff to pai iv bollis of ber c1500 Harl. MS. 4700 299 b.
That thai forstall this burgth … ne pais nocht the kingis custum 1536–7 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 81.
Now it [Inverkeithing] is dekeyit … and pais nevir ane penny and thair is nocht attour thre men thairin that may pay ane penny of taxt at this tyme(c) 15.. Aberd. B. Rec. MS. (J).
To pa the henmest penny of the said fiftene li.(d) 1474 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III. 527.
All wthair sowmes of silwer to preoffer and pey 1593–4 Stirling Merch. Guild 6.
The haill breither present hes promissit to pey thair stent a1605 Montg. Misc. P. vii. 23.
Tak patience sen dolour peyis no dett 1622 Urie Baron Ct. 45.
Ilk lyneman to pey ane hundreth haddox and thrie keilling 1633 Sc. Ant. I. 94.
And peyes fortin crounes in moneth forbay mani extreordineres 1666 Old Ross-shire II. 83.
Such persones … who does not pey scot nor lott [etc.] 1674 Misc. Spald. C. V. 232.
Peyinge boall as vsit and voant(e) 1716 Hunter Fam. P. 87.
The which soum I sie no emediat uay to py it without your aed(b) c1420 Wynt. iv. 2552.
All thare namys … That payid toll 1500 Edinb. Hammermen 32b.
The quhilk Johne Loksmyth payt for Patrik Schersmyth x s. and I payt the remayn a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xlviii. 169.
We … peyde our anchor custum 1662 Sc. Hist. Rev. IX. 344.
Whole Tirie peyed a saill and hail [pr. hair](c) (a) 1386 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 10.
Quhil the saide four hundreth mark … be leleli payit and assithit 1405 Lennox Mun. 58.
Al wards, mariagis and relevis … alse weill paiid as vnpaiid 1577 Reg. Soltre 233.
Gif he passit forthour his dayis jurnay to be allowit and payit 1596 Dalr. I. 140/14.
That the pryce of the waires, the mair esilie mycht be payet 1622-6 Bisset II. 219/5.
The taxt … salbe payed in tyme of peax 1649 Kelso Glovers ii.
Untill he heave payed the dew(b) 1447 Newbattle Coll. (Somerville).
In defawt of the said ten markis ȝerly nocht beand payt 1451 Cochran-Patrick Coinage I. 21.
That al wedsettis … be pait in the tym of the quiting oute 1472 Lennox Mun. 82.
Payte 1480 Douglas Chart. .
The … fif hundereth merkis til be pait one the hie altar in Sanct Gelis Kirk c1500 Barounis Lawis fol. 6.
The juge aw to gar the det recouerit beforth him be pait 1549 Reg. Cupar A. II. 238.
Of the quhilk pait in hand iv merkis and the rest to be pait at Skyrefurisday nixt to cum(c) 1513 Perth Guildry MS. 484 (11 May).
[360] merkis … to be pate at twa vsuale termes(d) 1600-1610 Melvill 6.
Joyning thairwithall a grait part unpleasandlie peyit and out of tyme 1660 Aberd. Council Lett. IV. 21.
Holland whar bills … will be accepted and peyed with honor(e) 1623 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 205.
And the just and full price peyte 1661 Old Ross-shire I. 150.
Item peyd at Libertoune quhen we went to heir sermon 1699 Crail Squaremen 2.
He is [= has] peid his dows(f) 1682 Dunferm. Hammermen 17.
Under the paen of fourte shilling Scots to be pyd by evere transgreser

b. To discharge or fulfil (a duty or obligation). 1375 Barb. i. 255.
Quhethir he … suld … pay fryst that he awcht & syne Do furth his lordis commandyne ?1438 Alex. ii. 3277.
God wat he payis his richt c1490 Irland Asl. MS. 21/31.
Pane to be done heire in the warld … may be sone payit in the regard of the pane of purgatorie c1500-c1512 Dunb. lviii. 16.
This blynd warld euer so payis his dett

c. fig.Chiefly, to pay ‘the debt of nature’, to die: see, for many more examples, Det n. 2 c.(1) 1513 Doug. x. Prol. 130.
Blissyt be thou … that … pait the pryce of the forbodin tre(2) c1420 Wynt. vi. 969.
Nest hym foure papys had thaire det Payd off kynd and tane thare dede c1475 Wall. ii. 251.
He saw … dede had him swappyt snell … he has payit at he aw 1560 Rolland Seven S. 10757.
The empreour … payit his naturall det

d. Also with complements (with for, as, to) specifying what is bought with the payment or its nature or purpose. Cf. also 7 b.active (1) 1375 Barb. xx. 26.
And thai payit for the selys fee c1420 Wynt. vi. 2069.
Thare suld nane pay mare Than foure pennys for thare fare Ib. vii. 2085.
Jowellis pretyows [etc.] … ware payid for rawnsown Off Rychard 1494 Acta Conc. I. 323/2.
Than Michell McAdam sall restore content and pay … for xii ker full of hay vj [s.] 1601–2 Montrose Treas. Acc. b.
Pyd 1613 Conv. Burghs II. 429. 1665 Forbes Baron Ct. 259.
They sall pey … tuo shilling for ewry ox 1666 Glasgow Chart. II. 93 (see Measuradge n.).(2) 1405 Maxwell Mem. I. 145.
For twelfe penys … to be paijd as male 14.. Acts I. 304/2.
Of a last of heryng salbe payt to custome four peniis(3) 1456 (c 1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I. 14.
That thai pay their dewteis to the alter 1458 Peebles B. Rec. I. 127.
Ony man [offending] … sal pay x s. to the common wark 1492 Ib. 193.
For ane hundreth laidis of stannis pait to the stepil byggin 1521 Cart. S. Nich. Aberd. II. 355. 1582–3 Crail B. Ct. MS. 10 Jan.
Induellaris … being warnit to the reparing of the peir … to pay thair dargis to the samin 1616 Dunferm. B. Rec. I. 368.
To pay to the librarie of St. Androis as the vther burghes dois

6. a. To repay, restore or refund. a1400 Leg. S. xxvi. 773.
That I sal leyly pay to thé The gud that thu sal leue to me 1609 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. 57.
Jonet McBirnie … to pey to him xxii elnis sarkning lyning he gaif hir to bleiche

b. To pay the price or compensation for, to pay for. 14.. Burgh Laws c. 41 (B).
Gyf ony man borwis a kylne and he bryn it he sal pay it 1502–3 Edinb. Hammermen 43.
To pay the menstralis jacat & hois 1597 Stirling Merch. Guild ii.
The interants … vor accustomed to pay a bankeit to the breithir as ane gild fyne 1618 Linlithgow Pal. 341.
To James Kae for the inlack of the silver that payed the forsaid thrie weikis a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1761.
Ye are als like to eate the kirk leafe as to pay it 1660 Lanark B. Rec. 182.
Payeand yeirlie the uphalding of laich house 1668 Rothesay B. Rec. 160.
John Galie desyrit him to stay quhill he wald pay his drink 1674 Lauder Jrnl. 274.passive 1602 Conv. Burghs II. 144.
The anker tow that is slippit salbe payit be bayth the schipis … half and half 1675 Edgar Old Church Life 35.
[That new windows should] be peyd out of the first end of the Turks' contribution

c. fig. ?1438 Alex. ii. 1859.
My treuage sal be payt with my brand c1420 Wynt. iv. 488.
Bot or the gammyn wes all gane Thai payid ma than twa for ane 1596 Dalr. I. 5/28.
Contrare in winter … the lenth is payed with the schortnes

7. absol. or intr. To make due payment; to provide or find payment. b. Also const. for the goods or services received. c. fig. To undergo punishment. d. To atone or be punished for.a. c1420 Wynt. vii. 2697.
The byschapys and the great prelatys … war better bodyn to pay 1423 Edinb. Chart. 56.
Payand of the chaldre … as thai war wont to pay c1475 Wall. iv. 388.
In thar presence he spendyt resonably Ȝeit for him self he payit ay boundandlye a1500 Bk. Chess 1612.
Nocht to paye and to be craiffit sor Mor schame it is than be pur euermor c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 136 (Ch. & M.).
His purse pays richely in recompense efter a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 1129 (Wr.). 1616 Brechin Kirk S. 8 Oct.
And keep till he pey for his disobedience and also the unlaw that is sett downe for abuse off the kirk-yaird 1640 Kirkcudbr. Min. Bk. 7.
Pey c1650 Spalding I. 251.
Lifrentaris must pay as heretourisb. (1) c1400 Troy-bk. i. 16.
Jasone & Hercules … dyd no-thing bot ete & drank And payit tharfor with mekle thank 1473 Treas. Acc. I. 64.
To pay for a pres kist to the chapell 1503–4 Ib. II. 421.
To the boy that brak his leg … to pay for his leching c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 269.
Be … costly arrayit … ȝowr husband pays for all 1595–6 Glasgow Burgesses 22. 1643 Tulliallan Coal Wks. 7 b.
Peyitt for custome of the foirsaid … small collis and peyitt for 4 coqeittes(2) 1497–8 Acta Conc. II. 102.
That na … persone take … ony maner of fisch bot it thai pay for 1535 Stewart 57365.
Gif ony lad or man … Hed tane that tyme other les or moir Ony thing he had nocht payit foir 1592 Warrender P. (S.H.S.) II. 184 n.
And my remissioun wilbe as weill pait for as ony bullis that evir come fra Romec. a1585 Maitland Maitl. Q. xvi. 69.
[That] our judges wald … Compell no innocent to payd. 1533 Gau 69/29.
God … laid al our sinnis apone Hime and He payit for thayme 1535 Stewart 37631.
Scho maid him rycht gude cheir But syne allace scho gart him pa weill ford

8. With non-personal subject. a. Of any source of income, funds, etc.: To yield or provide (a certain payment). b. Of anything on which rent or duty is levied: To be charged with (the due payment), to be assessed to pay (a certain sum). c. To provide due payment to (a certain person).(a) c1420 Wynt. vi. 1438.
That gold … payid all owt hys rawnsowne 1439–40 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I. 239.
My lande … and al my gudis to pay ȝerly that annuale of x merkis acht be me c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 2076.
Than gif thai keip na law to laborage The labour aw nocht for to paye thair wage 1502 Orkney Rentals i. 6.
Tankarnes … payis nather malt scat nor butter scat ?1549 Monro W. Isles (Sibbald) 18.
The superexcrescens of the said ky … als payis thair dewties 1574 Hist. Kinloss A. 96. 1594 Orkney & Shetl. Rec. I. 219.
Ilk boitt … sall pay … twa dossone of keilling for thair land leve 1599 Conv. Burghs II. 65.
Iyrne pottis … sall pay … thre pundis the twn 1602 Ib. 134. 1627 Rep. Parishes ii. 1638 Glasg. Univ. Mun. I. 280. 1667 Rothesay B. Rec. 144.
All victuall … importit … to pay ane ladill furthe of ich boll c 1690 Antiq. Aberd. & B. II. 442.(b) 1520 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 57.
The samyn [malt] … was redy to pae him of sufficeant stuff(c) 1591 Waus Corr. 478.
The croft that me eime Michell hes will peye fourtie lbs. and mair 1613 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 119.
So that his awin geir may pey his debtis

9. a. intr. To engage oneself for payment, to take paid service. b. tr. To provide pay to (a soldier), to engage for payment. 1576 Breadalbane Ct. Bk. 19 b.
Quha evere of payd seruandis tennenttis cottaris or utheris servandis feis thame selfs with doubill maisters sall paye & fie to the ane master and sall sit xl dayis in the lang gaid 1592 Laing MSS. I. 80.
With viii thowsand footemenne to be payed for two yeares

10. tr. and intr. With various adverbial complements.To pay (= contribute) to the box (= collection-box, repository of common funds).To pay hame, to repay in full, to avenge.(1) c1420 Wynt. v. 2946 (W).
[That the teindis] Suld … be payit doune Baith of nobill [sic in MS.; ? mobill] and monay 1515 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 35.
Jhone Frer to pa in the remanent of hir tua bollis of malt 1531 Ib. 115.
Thir ar the names nocht finely pait out the burges siluer 1627 Misc. Spald. C. V. 219.
Becaus thay … peyit not in thair wituaill to the girnall 1640 Spalding II. 490.
If they have peyit out less, the same must be payat in to the commoun collector 1680 Fawside Coal Compt 52.
Peyed out to make vp the cesse [7s. 10d.](2) 1584 Aberd. Journal N. & Q. VI. 119.
Giff … a gentilman sall nam the devill, banning, pronunce an athe [etc.] … the eldar sall cause him pey to the box 1674 Peebles B. Rec. II. 89.
That everie able man servant shall pay to the box … threttie schilling Scotts(3) a1585, a1568 Montg. P. i. 131.
My dowbill deling be disdaine Acquyt and pay me hame againe 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 221.
He … quhen he was in a place of rule, executed it with much cruelty which was now payed home … by Torthorald