A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Ploy, n.1 [F. ploit = plait, plai, Pley n.] a. A law-suit. = Pley n. b. A dispute; a quarrel; a breach of the peace. —c1575 Balfour Pract. 240.
Gif ony persoun being in veritie bastard … deceissis befoir ony ploy or clame or pley be intentit aganis him be the richteous air [etc.] 1623 Sc. Ant. VI. 182.
Gif ony of my sevin sones mak ony neidles ploy or actioun contrair my wyiff or ony of thame againis ane other [etc.] —1613 Fife Synod 68.
Past to mercatt … and having sold his wyff thairvpon fell in ploy 1679 Ellon Par. 138.
For Sabbath breach in making a ploy
