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.

Play, v.¹ Also: playe, pla-; pley; pleay; ply. P.t. and p.p. playit, etc.; also plaid(e, playd; plade; pleyd; plead. [ME. and e.m.E. pleiȝen (c 1200), pleien, pleyen, plaȝen (c 1205), plai(ȝ)en, plai(e, play(e, with p.t. and p.p. freq. contracted by syncope, OE. pleᵹan, -ian, -ean. Cf. MDu. pleyen, pleien, playen dance, leap for joy, rejoice; also OS. plegan, Du. plegen, Germ. pflegen have care of, take charge of, be in the habit of. ME. also has plaw(e (north., 13th c., f. Angl. plaᵹian), and pleoye, pleowe, pleuwe (13th c.), appar. mixing the two other types. Cf. Play n.] To play, in various senses and applications.The phonology is appar. like that of the noun, q.v.

I. To act or move briskly.

1. intr. Of an animal: To move about swiftly, with an irregular or capricious motion; to dart to and fro; to gambol. ?a1450 Florimond 407.
That lyoun … Quhen he hes eittin The pray … He playis and loupis wp and doun 1513 Doug. v. x. 90.
Als swyft as dalphyn fysch … Persand the wallys that plays iolely 1580–1 Wigtownshire Chart. 152.
For pasturing his horses or gudis ganging passing and playing thereon 1688 A. Shields Some Notis of a Sermon Preached at the Lothers in Crafoord Moor 24–5.
Yet others [fish] are not catched though they play about it and loup at it

2. Of water: To swirl and bubble, as boiling water; to boil. c1420 Wynt. i. 1174.
As [in] a caldrown … For het of sown the se wyll play [: say] 1513 Doug. vi. iii. 120.
Hait watir … In caldronys playand on the fyre fast by Ib. vii. vii. 125.
About the sydis of the pot playing The licour sparklis for the heyt bulyng

b. transf. With the vessel containing the water as subj. 1531 Bell. Boece I. xliii.
Cawdrounis playand with hait watter 1639 Moray Synod 44.
It wold have maid our pott to play and our pan to amble 1692 Presb. Eloq. (ed. 2) 78.
You make his pot play wellproverb. a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 115.
A mean [Carmichael reaven] pot plaid never evin

c. Of a spring: To bubble up. — a1500 Seven S. 2181.
Vnder ȝour bed ar sevyn well springis That bulleris & playis nycht & day

II. To cause to move; to activate.

3. tr. In brewing: To ‘play’ the wort, to ‘work’ (i.e. ? to stir or ? to boil) the wort in the brewing vessel before adding the yeast.Only Sc. 1596–7 Misc. Spald. C. I. 91.
At hir first browst thaireftir the haill wort being plaid and putt in lwmes [etc.] 1600 St. A. Kirk S. 922.
She played woiert on the Saboth day upon necessitie 1626 Elgin Rec. II. 197.
For drawing burne and playing vort 1644 Markinch Kirk S. 12 May.
Denyed that thair was any wort played in his hous the fasting Wednesday 1665 St. Ninians Par. I. 4 Jan. in J. M. Robb Scotch Whisky (1950) 9.
[They heard the goodwife say] the lasse has put on the caldron and played some afterwort

4. a. intr. Of a cannon: To fire, be discharged continually. b. tr. To fire (a gun) again and again. To play nipshot (= ? to shoot amiss), see Nipschot n. 1615 Denmylne MSS. (ed.) 182.
All this tyme the cannon and culwring plaid — 1615 Ib. 183.
Than the ordince was plyed

III. To perform or practise, an action or activity.

5. tr. To execute (a quick movement). 1598 Birrel Diary 45.
Ane man … playit sic sowple tricks upone ane tow [etc.] … he raid doune the tow and playit sa money pavies on it

6. To execute a deception; to play a trick or prank (on (to, with) a person, also const. dat. pron. and without const.).To play the glaikis (with), to trick. Also const. double object. See Glaik(i)s n. pl. a1500 K. Hart 352.
May scho wyn out scho will play ȝow a cast 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1871 (B).
I se thay playd with me [Ch. haue playit me] the glaikkis 1560 Rolland Seven S. 2696.
Sic ane fals trik sa trymlie playit to him a1568 Scott xxv. 14.
And se quha playis best thair pawis 1584 Sempill Sat. P. xlv. 964.
To George Durrie he played a juike 1596 Dalr. I. 338 marg.
The perte … pratt thay playd to thair bischop 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 216.
Irresponsal tutors that would play me a slip 1686 G. Stuart Joco-Ser. Disc. 32.
Then play our casts amang the whipsters 1690 Killiecrankie in Jacob. Songs (1887) 39 (see Paw n.¹).

b. To play (a person) lill for law, to requite: see Lill for lall phr. c. To play (a person) sittie for sattie, id. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 917.
I can play you sittie for sattie

d. To play Jack nedle Jack prein, to indulge in double-dealing. a1628 Carmichael Prov. 1838.
Ye play Jack nedle [ed. never] Jack prein

e. intr. To play fast and lows (leigh), also lowis or fast, to practise double-dealing.See also Lows adv. 14 b. 1546 Lynd. Trag. Card. 196.
We mycht full weill haue leuit in peace … and than playit lowis or fast 1629 Kirkcaldy Presb. 54 (see Fast adv. 1 b).

f. To play with baith the handis, see Hand n. 2 d.

7. To play practices: see Practis(e n. 3 b, c. Cf. Play n. 5.

IV To divert or recreate oneself.

8. intr. To take part in frolic, sport or entertainment; to amuse, divert or exercise oneself; to sport or frolic (with a playmate).(1) 1375 Barb. vii. 495.
[He] went weill oft to hunt & play [: lay] For to purchase thame venysoun ?1438 Alex. ii. 2563.
Amang thame fast they playit and leuch With gammin and delyte aneuch c1400 Troy-bk. i. 453.
Quhen hyr list to gamyn & play [: day] [etc.] c1420 Wynt. v. 4044.
The doytyd qwennys off that land … Scho gert cum to dawns and play a1487 Gud Wyf & D. 116.
[Good women] hald thair innys gif thai vill play [: vay] c1460 Alex. (Taym.) (ed.) 1272.
Gud war to him he war in Macedone Playand with sparhalk falcon and marlȝeoun c1475 Wall. i. 367. 1513 Doug. ii. i. 26.
Al thai of Troy … Kest vp the portis and yschit furth to play 1540 Lynd. Sat. Proclam. 175.
Lat ws ga play our fill a1568 Scott. v. 52. 1582 (c 1650) Dundee B. Laws 42.
Anent the bairns that plays, crys and perturbs in the kirk ȝeard 1599 Elgin Rec. II. 75.
The officiaris commandit to leasche the boyes … that were playand the tyme of the sermone(2) ?1438 Alex. ii. 2630.
Thare he lauches, gammis and playis With his lemmen a1500 Henr. Fab. 1079 (Bann.).
Quod he My purpois was with him [the lamb] bot to have plaid [: said, affraid] a1500 Seven S. 1443.
The hound lap wp … with the lord to play [: way] a1568 Bann. MS. 257 b/54.
With riches dar not poverty playe [: away] 1600-1610 Melvill 16.
My father wald ley me down on my bak pleying with mie and lauche at me

b. reflex. in the same sense.Also, once, To be on holiday from school. Cf. Play n. 10.(1) 1375 Barb. xx. 20.
The kyng … held hisway Fra park to park hym for to play a1400 Leg. S. xliii. 349.
He saw idil men Playand thame makand gud chere ?1438 Alex. ii. 2459.
To play me, with vmbethinking I se Hir fare semblance and hir bounte c1460 Alex. (Taym.) (ed.) 389.
He vsit him to play with speir and scheild c1460 Thewis Wysmen 224.
Thai … plays thaim nocht bot with thar peris a1500 K. Hart 131. 1540 Lynd. Sat. 4282 (B).
Gudman, ga play ȝow amang ȝour feiris 1563 Ferg. Answer 24 b.
Ye had rather play you with your myrrie conceats a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 42 (Wr.).
With … tripping They plaid them all in paires 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1671) 155.
The Antichrist must play himself with the bones … of the Lamb's followers 1638 Black Bk. Taymouth xxiii.
Given to the bairne … to play him withall, ane angell of gold(2) 1633 Linlithgow B. Rec. 6 Sept.
Ordaines the maister of the skoill to grant priviledge to his skolleris to play thame untill the first day of October nixttocum

9. spec. To sport amorously (with); to have sexual intercourse (with).(1) a1400 Leg. S. xxxiv. 56.
Scho in sic luste ay In lyk redy wes to play a1500 Henr. Fab. 72 (Ch.).
As damysellis wantoun and insolent That fane wald play and on the streit be sene c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 997.
I can not tell how thay did play Bot I beleue scho said not nay 1560 Rolland Seven S. 3328.
And all that nicht togidder thay twa plaid [: laid] a1568 Scott iv. 70. Ib. iii. 51, xi. 39.
Sua … maidis hes slicht To play and tak no pane(2) 1375 Barb. v. 542.
He gat witting tharoff … Throw wemen that he wyth wald play [: say] a1400 Leg. S. xxx. 536.
Lat me ly by thé … I mon … Get grant of thé with me to play [: delay] c1420 Wynt. vi. 1922.
Fra this persowne wyth hyr had playd … That he had gottyne on hyr a sone c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxxii. 4 (M).
Ane tod wes with ane lam And with hir plaid … Syn … wald haue ridin hir lyke ane ram 1560 Rolland Seven S. 3221.
Ane vther knaif With hir to play

10. To handle playfully; to toy with. a1400 Leg. S. v. 466.
Be-hald ȝone ald … how … He plais vith ȝone foule as a barne 1560 Rolland Seven S. 1873.
My deir sone … Sall I neuer with my pap se thé play [: away] 1600-1610 Melvill 21.
Haiffing the candle in my hand … bernlie and negligentlie pleying with the bent, it kendlet … on fyre

11. To make fun with words; to jest; to talk merrily. ?1438 Alex. ii. 618.
Take nocht in crabitnes For na thing that my brother sayis … For amouris … Garris him sumquhyle bourd and play [: ay (= always)] c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus Prol. 137.
Domiciane … lufit ay … fulis for to play [: ay (= always)] 1600-1610 Melvill 50.
He lerned mair of Mr. Andro Melvill craking and playing … nor be all his comentares

V. To engage in, also to wager on, a game.

12. tr. To play (a specific game) (with a person or play-thing).See Buk-hid n., buklair play s.v. Buklar(e n. 2, Bellyblind n., Kylis n. pl., fast and lows s.v. Lows adv. 14 a, pluk at the craw, s.v. Craw n.¹ 2, etc.See also to play cop out (= to carouse), Cop n. 1 b. a1568 Scott v. 10.
In May to madynis fawis … to play vpcoill with the bawis

13. intr. To play, or participate in, a game (with the appropriate implements or play-things). ?1438 Alex. ii. 3716.
‘Lat se quha will assay.’ Said Perdicas, ‘Schir ȝe sall play’ 1503–4 Treas. Acc. II. 418.
For golf clubbes and balles to the King that he playit with a1568 Bann. MS. 156 a/12 (see Cach(e)pell n. 1 (b)). 1575 Aberd. Eccl. Rec. 21.
All persones … playing in the lynks or vther places [etc.] 1583 St. A. Kirk S. 515. 1668 Rec. Old Aberd. I. 113.
That no persone … sall len nor hyre bulleis to any uther to play therwith

14. spec. To engage in fencing, or fighting, with swords. b. reflex.a. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6548.
Hir husband … with his sword Gaue him sic wappis … And with the thrid he plaid on the same wise —b. 1570 Misc. Bann. C. I. 48*.
I sall lat him play him ane quhyle, and syne sall gif him, behind the hand, ane cowp de jarret

15. tr. To stake or wager (money) in a game.For numerous further instances, see the indexes to the various vols. of Treas. Acc., s.v. esp. cards. 1488 Treas. Acc. I. 88.
To the King him self to play in Perth [£20. 7] Ib. 101.
To the King to play at the dys in Lythgow 1496 Ib. 275 (see Kylis n. pl. (a)). 1497 Ib. 366.
To the King … to play at the tables in Lithquho [£2. 13. 4] 1501 Ib. II. 112.
Giffin to the King himself that he playit at the row bowlis with the prothonotar 1507–8 Ib. IV. 101.
To the King to play at the Irisch gaymyn 1525 Ib. V. 254.
Plaid at the cartis on Sanct Stevinnis day xxvij li. a1538 Abell 114 a.
Thai mon … play thare habat siluir at ane cast 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 195/2, 3.
& resolue to hazairde the losse of all that ye playe and next for that cause playe na maire nor ye caire to caste among paages

b. ? To hazard or play for; ? to gamble against (another person). But perh. merely a further instance of the above. a1500 Bk. Chess 1961.
In his richt hand sum moneye suld he haf, In his left hand thre dys to playe the laif

c. absol. or intr. — c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxii. 74.
He playis with totum and I with nichell 1588 King Cat. in Cath. Tr. 214/25.
Sinnes … To vse deceate at plainge and to playe aboue oure estaite 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 195/1.
Or ye playe considder ye doe it onlie for youre recreation

16. intr. To play at (a game). a. To engage or take part in (at) a game. Also, once, to play to the golf. b. ? To wager money on the outcome of (at) a game; to game or gamble.For numerous further instances, see Boull n.¹, Cach(e n., Cart n.² 1, Ches n.¹, Chow n., Dyce n., Fute-ball n., Golf n.¹, Kaiche, Keich-ball n., Kylis n. pl., etc.(1) 1456 Hay I. 175/31.
Bot to be kepit as prisonaris suld be kepit and nouthir to play at ches na tableis [etc.] c1460 Thewis Gud Women 168.
One the haly day Owthir pray or play at honest play 1490 Treas. Acc. I. 133.
Plaitt c1530-40 Stewart Maitl. F. lxxxi. 21.
Play nocht bot at plesand playis … Halkin hunting [etc.] 1560 Rolland Seven S. 10276.
Thay fand them baith at thair pastime playing a1578 Pitsc. I. 201/19.
The king … commandit … that he lat na man … out … to play at no game 1592 R. Clark Golf (1875) viii.
That thair … wemen servands be nocht fund playing at the ball 1600 Reg. Privy C. VI. 856.
Playand at the tables [pr. cables] 1602 Treas. Acc. MS. 213 b.
For … causing mak the brod quhilk his maiestie pleyis at, callit the guse 1640 Mouswald Kirk S. 1 July.
Pleying at nyne hollis, pennie stane, or any such lyk idle pastymes 1677 Auchterhouse Ann. 138.
In time of divine service went to the churchyard and plaid at the penniestonne(2) 1666 Lauder Jrnl. 132.
A blind man … that could play weill to the gooffe

c. To play at Jaktaleg, see Ja(c)ktaleg phr.

VI. To play, musically.

17. intr. To perform on a musical instrument.For further examples, see Menstral(l n. 2, Pipar n.¹, etc.(1) c1450-2 Howlat 769 (A).
Thai had songyn … And playit as of paradys it a poynt ware a1500 Rauf C. 355.
Befoir that mirthfull man menstrallis playis [: arrayis, sayis, dayis] a1500 Colk. Sow i. 291. 1535 Stewart 14989.
This trumpatour in his chalmer he plaid 1548–9 Treas. Acc. IX. 281 (see Fidlar n.). 1549 Compl. 65/29.
None of thir tua playit mayr cureouslye nor did thir viij scheiphyrdis 15.. Christis K. 39 (B).
Thome Lular … playit so schill and sang so sweit 1607 Kinghorn Kirk S. 9.
The persones that causit him play throw the town upon Sunday 1630 Linlithgow B. Rec. 4 June.
To the drummer that plaid the day of the thankis giving for the birth of the prince 1659 St. A. Presb. 74.
The Presbyterie discharged him to play at any brythells(b) a1538 Abell 118 a.
For tha ar the piparis of Sathan plaand to thé(c) 1612 St. Andrews Acc. MS. in Ayr B. Acc. lxxvi.
To ane Heland pyper that pleyd throuche the toun(2) a1500 Seven S. 2521.
Thai … With trumpe & talburn playit lowde 1573–4 Glasgow Burgesses .
Ane common drwme gevin to the commone menstrale to playe with

b. With the instrument as subj.: To sound, to be played. — a1568 Scott ii. 46.
Trumpettis and schalmis with a schowt Playid or the rink began

c. ? tr. To play (an instrument). But perh. intr., and merely a further instance of 17 (1) above. — 1549 Compl. 65/19.
Ilk ane … hed ane syndry instrament to play to the laif

18. intr. To perform on (of, in) a specified instrument or upon its strings.For further examples, see Bag-Pipe n., Clarschach n., Lute n.¹, etc.(1) a1500 Henr. Orph. 256 (Asl.).
Orpheus … tuke his harpe and on it plait fast 1497 Edinb. Hammermen 19.
Item to the child at playt apone the gret bumbart xij d. 1503 Treas. Acc. II. 398 (see Cornet n.²). 1504 Ib. 463 (see Monocord n.). 1505–6 Ib. III. 180.
To the boyis that playis on the schalmys 1516 Mill Mediæv. Plays 232.
To the man at playit one the bovme 1541 Treas. Acc. VII. 482.
To Jakkis that playis upoun the veolis 1597 Misc. Spald. C. I. 151.
Thow and thay … dancit ane deuilische danse … playing on instrumendis 1598 Elgin Rec. II. 69.
They haid a lad playand upon banis and bells with thame 1665 Lauder Jrnl. 57.
The King also playes … weill on the … keetle drumes(2) 1512 Edinb. Hammermen 74.
To Cuddy … quhen he playit of the draucht trumpet 1524 Ib. 113.
To the boy that playt of schues(3) 15.. K. Berdok ii.
Weill cowd he play in clarschocht and on lute(4) a1568 Bellenden Bann. MS. 2 b/105.
As craft of hand vpon the stringis playis [: assayis] Proportionat in hevinly melodie

19. To render (music, a piece of music) on (upon, with) an instrument.(a) a1500 Henr. Orph. 144 (B).
Ȝit playit he a spring a1500 Sir Eger 346 (see Plastro(u)n n.). c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxxxi. 23.
Langour … playit sangis … duilfull 1513 Doug. i. xi. 94.
On his gylt harp berdyt Iopas Playand the gestis of the gret Atlas 1529 Lynd. Complaynt 93.
Vpon the lute Than playt I twenty spryngis a1568 Scott v. 13.
In May gois gallandis bring in symmer … With ‘Hunts vp’ every morning plaid [: glaid (= gladden)] 1591 Newes from Scotland in Crim. Trials I. ii. 217.
Playing this reill or daunce uppon a small trumpe a1598 Ferg. Prov. MS. No. 894 (see Norland n. b).(b) a1578 Pitsc. I. 233/16.
Quhairby they could pleay and singe tuo pairtis

b. fig. In the phr. to play placebo, to flatter, to play the sycophant. — 1584 Sempill Sat. P. xlv. Prol. 78.
For no rewarde they work but warldlie gloir Plaing placebo into princes facesWith a musical instrument as subj.: To play (music). c. intr. d. tr. 1513 Doug. xiii. ix. 105.
The harpys and the githornys plays attanys a1578 Pitsc. I. 359/12.
Be the sound of instrumentis playand melodiouslie — c1500-c1512 Dunb. vi. 109.
I will … na bellis for me ring … Bot a bag pipe to play a spryng

VII. To present, or represent, dramatically.

20. To perform (a play or the like); to represent in mimic action; to act.For some further examples, see Pageant n. a, b (2).Ere all the play be played, see Play n. 9 c.(a) 1489 Treas. Acc. I. 118.
To Patrick Johnson and his fallowis that playt a play to the King in Lythqow 1494 Edinb. Hammermen 5.
Item on Sownday quhen the processioun was playd for the King c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxvi. 109 (M).
He bad first play the heyland padȝan 1528 Lynd. Dreme 13.
Sumtyme playand fairsis on the flure 1537 Mill Mediæv. Plays 249.
The sys … contenuis the craftis to play thair pagenis quhill Midsomir Day 1552 (c 1580) Edinb. B. Rec. II. 172.
Insamekle that thair is no wther place left to play interludis in to draw pepill till the toune 15.. Clar. v. 786.
The feist … With intermeisis playit mirrilie 1577 Perth Kirk S. MS. 1 July.
Certane inhabitantis … hes playit Corpus Christeis play vpon Thursday … last 1598 Mill Mediæv. Plays 206.
The skolleris … playit the comedie in the tolbuith(b) 1603 Mill Mediæv. Plays 352.
The play to be plyit on Tuyday [sic] in the playfeld

b. In extended sense: To bring (any action) to a conclusion. — a1500 Peblis to Play 181.
Be that the bargan wes all playit [etc.]

c. intr. — 1488 Treas. Acc. I. 91.
To … the playaris of Lythgow that playt to the King 1595–6 Mill Mediæv. Plays 175.
The tyme the barnis of the school playd 1601 Ib. 305.
To the Inglischmen that playit in the tolbuith

21. To play (one's) part in a performance or, fig., in life.To play (one's) pageant, see Pageant n. e. 1562-3 Winȝet II. 42/2.
The playng places, quhare a man schortlie plays the partis of sindry persones

b. To ‘act’; to behave in a dissembling manner. 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 23.
How fynelie scho playit hir part (as scho thocht) it is merwell to tell

c. To play the part of (1) (another person or a particular animal), to act like, behave in a manner typified by, (2) (a functionary), to carry out, faithfully, the duties of.(1) c1475 Wall. i. 165.
King Herodis part thai playit in to Scotland 1562-3 Winȝet I. 7/22.
Playand to ȝour inferiouris the part of lippir Giezi 1583 Sempill Warning v.
Bott giff ȝe play the part of chasaris dog That [etc.] 1603 Philotus iii.
Ise play the ȝonkeris part to ȝow(2) 1596 Dalr. I. 176/7.
This king, in administratione of the effairis of Scotland plade the parte of a gude and godlie prince Ib. 179/18.
Certane … wyse men … quha … playd the parte of a magistrate

d. Without the part of: To act the part of (a person, animal or thing, viewed as representative of a type); to behave like (a member of the class of persons, etc., specified).To play the counterpane, to do the like (see Counterpane n. 1).To play the fule, to act merrily or frivolously; to behave stupidly or irresponsibly (towards, with a person).To play the loun, see Loun n. 3.See also Hure n. 1 c, Knave n. 5 c.Also intr. or absol. in to play Jakefellow-lyke, see Jak n.¹ 3 a.(1) 15.. Clar. v. 2294.
Out throw the feild he playit the lyoun 1559 St. A. Kirk S. 20.
That till I had plaiit the harlot [etc.] 1560 Rolland Seven S. 2026.
Mony seruandis now preuelie playis the pyet 1561 Q. Kennedy Oratioune 19.
How Knox … plays the jugleour in ministratione of the … sacrament 1558-66 Knox II. 315.
This wynter the Erle Bothwell [etc.] … played the ryote in Edinburgh 1584 Sempill Sat. P. xlv. 96.
Yit in the pulpet we saw him greit Playand the publict hypocreit 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 36.
We have but played the counterfait c1590 Fowler II. 122/2. 1603 E. Melville Godlie Dreame 275.
Now play the man a1605 Montg. Son. xxviii. 9.
To play the messan thoght sho wes not [meit] Sho meinit weill 1622 Scot Course of Conformity 23.
Doth God play the gardiner, ploughman or webster here? 1638 Ritchie Ch. S. Baldred 62 (see Plesand n.²). ?c1675 J. Gordon Hist. III. 154.
Wherin the Generall Assembly haid plaide the traitors(b) 1584 Melvill 191 (see Bangster n.). 1615 Misc. Maitl. C. II. 185.
Utheris quha under cullor and pretext to pley the merchand intends [etc.](c) 1666 Lauder Jrnl. 131.
I plead the dissembler(2) 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 197.
Adam Gordone who playis King Herrot in the north etc.](3) c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 205.
Quhen he was blynd the fule wyth hym thay playit [: assayit, forvayit, affrayit] Ib. lvii. 10.
Sum playis the fule and all-out clattiris 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 97.
Syne lauch & play the fule a1599 Rollock Wks. I. 433.
Quhen thow hes played the fuill ane time in sin

VIII. 22. Other uses, usu. connected with one or other of the foregoing senses.a. To play te he, ? to giggle or titter. a1500 Peblis to Play 205.
Than all the wenschis te he thai playit, Bot Lord! as will ȝoung leuche

b. Of sails: To play brittill brattill, to flap noisily. — 1540 Lynd. Sat. 621 (B).
Quhen all the sailis plaid brittill brattill

c. To play cow, ? —c1500 Rowll Cursing 101 (see Cow n.³).