A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Ra(i)lȝe, Raleȝe, Relȝie, v. [Late e.m.E. railly (1635–56), raylie, rally, F. railler. Cf. Rail(l v.1] intr. a. To jest or make merry, to sport. = Rail(l v.1 1. b. To rail or inveigh. = Rail(l v.1 2. —a. (a) c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 149.
Thai … ralȝeit [M. railȝet] lang or thai wald rest with ryatus speche Ib. 480.
Sum rownis and sum ralȝeis and sum redis ballatis Ib. 193 (see Rail(l v.1 1). 1533 Boece 458b.
Ane day at the tabill quhen thai war blyith and raleȝeit with vthir —(b) 1540 Lynd. Sat. Proclam. 22.
Be not displeisit … Amang sad mater howbeid we sumtyme relȝie a1568 Scott iii 44.
Be ȝe rank quhen thay begin to relȝie —b. 1562-3 Winȝet I 65/26.
We can nocht … detract thame, nor railȝe dispitfullie contrare thame
