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

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Dirigé, Dirgy, n. Also: dyrigé, dirigee, -gie. [ME. dirige (a 1225), dyrge (15th c.), L. dīrige (Psalm v. 8). Cf. Derigé.]

1. a. The office for the dead, properly that said at matins. b. A dirge. 1445 Peebles B. Rec. 11.
He sal … say at evin placebo and dirige for ilk ane of thaim syndry 1450 Ib. 14.
The messis sal be delayd quhil the Mounday, with placebo and dirige on the Sonday at evin befor a1500 Henr. Fab. 441.
I … said the dirige, quhen that he wes deid Id. III. 170/19.
Quha can placebo, and nocht half dirige 1492 Treas. Acc. I. 200.
To the prestis, for the Kingis dyrige and sawle mess c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxv. 23 (M).
We sall begin ane cairfull sown, Ane dirige devoit and meik Ib. 28.
The dirige beginnis thus 1537 Lynd. Depl. Magd. 133.
All thare greit solace and solempniteis Thow turnit in till dulefull dirigeis 1555 Peebles B. Rec. 221.
Collectour to vmquhile Sir Thomas Hay[s] dirige Ib.
For xiiij s. of annuell quhilk is infeft for doing yerelie of the said dirige 1573 Sat. P. xl. 150.
Ȝea, sum wer knawin … Quha vndertuke his dirige for to dres 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. xi. 15.
The exorbitance of superstitious exiquies are found infinite (as in their bel-ringinges, … dirige singing, incense burning)

2. An entertainment, esp. of drink, after a funeral. 1644 St. A. Presb. 20.
They appoint and ordaine, that that heathnish custome, vnder a popish name, of drinking dirgies after the corpes are interred, be vtterlie abolished 1654 Ib. 67.
The brethren, in ther severall charges, are exhorted to take notice of dirigies after burialls, for suppressing them 1690 Foulis Acc. Bk. 120.
[Paid] befor I went to Robert Baines buriall, 9. 00. 0. Spent at his dirige, 3. 06. 0